ἐγείρω (egeirō)
egeirō
to arise
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 137 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb egeirō describes the act of rousing someone or something from a state of rest, inactivity, or death into life and movement. Its core sense is to awaken or cause to rise, covering physical actions like lifting a person from a bed as well as spiritual transitions. In the New Testament, it frequently appears in narratives where Jesus restores health or life, such as raising Jairus’s daughter or calling Lazarus forth from the tomb.
While often translated simply as "arise" or "rise," the word carries significant theological weight when applied to resurrection. It is the primary term used for Christ’s rising from the dead and the future hope of believers, distinguishing a divine act of power from natural recovery. The sources note its use in metaphors like spiritual awakening in Ephesians 5:14, where believers are urged to wake from slumber, linking physical motion with moral alertness.
Etymologically, the word may relate to gathering one’s faculties or strength, suggesting a return to full consciousness and capability. This nuance explains its varied usage: from stirring up political unrest in Matthew 24:7 to constructing buildings in John 2:19. Translators must choose carefully between "raise," "rise," and "awake" to capture whether the focus is on the agent’s power or the subject’s new state of being.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egeirō captures a decisive shift from stillness into action. It appears in everyday moments, like Joseph waking to obey God’s warning, and in profound miracles where Jesus restores life to the dead. This range shows that God is active in both our daily obedience and our deepest needs.
For your faith, this means you are never left in a state of helplessness. Whether facing a sudden crisis or a long season of waiting, the same power that raised Christ from the grave is at work. It invites you to trust that God can bring new life where there seems to be only rest or silence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 137 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do arise7×
- raised6×
- having arisen5×
- raised up4×
- it is raised4×
- having raised up4×
- having raised4×
- do rise up4×
- are raised,4×
- has raised up3×
- has been raised3×
- Will rise up3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἤγειρεν20×
- ἠγέρθη16×
- ἐγερθεὶς11×
- ἔγειρε9×
- ἐγείρονται,5×
- ἐγείρεται5×
- ἐγήγερται4×
- ἐγερθήσονται4×
- ἐγερθήσεται4×
- ἔγειρε,3×
- ἐγήγερται,3×
- ἐγείρας3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 17:9
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
This verse links Jesus’ earthly ministry directly to his future resurrection, establishing the core hope of the Christian faith.
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Matthew 9:6
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”
Here the word connects physical healing with spiritual authority, showing that Jesus has power over both body and sin.
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Matthew 2:14
He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt,
This occurrence highlights immediate obedience, as Joseph rises from sleep to protect his family from danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does egeirō mean in the New Testament?
How is egeirō different from other words for rising?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (137 verses across 17 books)
Matthew 36 verses
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Matthew 2:13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the…
Matthew 2:14He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt,
Matthew 2:20“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s…
Matthew 2:21He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matthew 3:9Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to…
Matthew 8:15He touched her hand, and the fever left her. So she got up and served him.
Matthew 8:25The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there…
Matthew 9:5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:7He arose and departed to his house.
Matthew 9:19Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples.
Matthew 9:25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Matthew 11:5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the…
Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the…
Matthew 12:11He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day,…
Matthew 12:42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the…
Matthew 14:2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
Matthew 16:21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…
Matthew 17:7Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 17:9As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the…
Matthew 17:23and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
Matthew 20:19and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up.”
Matthew 24:7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes…
Matthew 24:11Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.
Matthew 24:24For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if…
Matthew 25:7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 26:32But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
Matthew 26:46Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”
Matthew 27:52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
Matthew 27:63saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’
Matthew 27:64Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal…
Matthew 28:6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
Matthew 28:7Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you…