εἴδω (eidō)
eidō
to perceive: understand
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 367 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb eidō carries a dual life in Scripture: it functions as the primary word for physical sight in its past tenses, yet shifts to mean deep knowledge in its perfect form, oida. This unique grammatical quirk means that while the present tense is rarely used, the language captures a progression from seeing with eyes to knowing with understanding. In the Gospels, this verb often describes the immediate visual encounter, such as when Jesus sees the crowds or when witnesses behold the risen Lord.
However, the theological weight rests on oida, which appears frequently in passages like Matthew 25:13 and John 10:4. Here, "knowing" is not merely intellectual data but a relational awareness. The sources note that this form connects to having regard for someone, as seen in Paul’s instruction to respect leaders in 1 Thessalonians 5:12. Thus, the word bridges the gap between observation and intimate comprehension.
Its etymology links it to the Latin videre and Sanskrit véda, highlighting a shared ancient root for perception. Translators must navigate this shift carefully, rendering the past tenses as "saw" or "beheld" while using "know," "understand," or "perceive" for the perfect tense. This distinction preserves the biblical image that true knowledge begins with attentive sight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word εἴδω (eidō) captures a beautiful progression in how we encounter God. In its present tense forms, it describes the simple act of seeing with physical eyes—like the wise men spotting the star or the crowds witnessing Jesus’ miracles. This visual component reminds us that faith is not abstract; it is grounded in real history and tangible reality. When you read these accounts, you are invited to stand alongside those first witnesses, observing the light breaking into darkness.
However, the deeper meaning emerges in the perfect tense, oida, which shifts from mere sight to settled knowledge. This form suggests a lasting awareness that changes how we live. It is not just about noticing an event, but understanding its significance for your soul. When Scripture speaks of knowing God in this way, it points to a relational intimacy that grows from attentive observation into trust.
This dual nature encourages a balanced faith. We are called to observe the works of God with clear eyes, yet allow those observations to deepen into a profound, abiding knowledge. It invites you to look closely at the world around you and the stories of Scripture, trusting that what you see can lead to a lasting relationship with the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 367 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having seen61×
- I saw42×
- Having seen29×
- to see28×
- saw16×
- He saw15×
- they saw12×
- knew10×
- he saw10×
- you may see8×
- having seen [it]8×
- I looked8×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἶδον71×
- ἰδὼν49×
- ἰδόντες40×
- εἶδεν39×
- ἰδεῖν29×
- ᾔδει13×
- Ἰδὼν10×
- ἴδωσιν9×
- ᾔδεισαν8×
- ἴδητε8×
- ἰδοῦσα7×
- ἴδετε6×
Key Verses
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Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
This verse highlights the immediate joy that follows visual confirmation, showing how seeing the star triggered a specific worshipful response.
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Matthew 9:2
Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
Here Jesus sees the faith of others, demonstrating that true sight involves perceiving the spiritual condition behind physical actions.
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Matthew 4:16
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
This prophecy uses the word to describe light dawning on those in darkness, linking physical illumination with spiritual awakening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the present and perfect forms of this word?
Does this word imply intellectual knowledge or emotional experience?
Why is this word important for understanding faith?
Every Occurrence (367 verses across 18 books)
Matthew 61 verses
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:9They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until…
Matthew 2:10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 2:11They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening…
Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male…
Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers,…
Matthew 3:16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the…
Matthew 4:16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has…
Matthew 4:18Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net…
Matthew 4:21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with…
Matthew 5:1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Matthew 5:16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 8:14When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
Matthew 8:18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.
Matthew 8:34Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
Matthew 9:2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic,…
Matthew 9:4Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Matthew 9:8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 9:9As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him,…
Matthew 9:11When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 9:23When Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder,
Matthew 9:36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like…
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 11:9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Matthew 13:14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand;…
Matthew 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else…
Matthew 13:17For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…
Matthew 14:14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
Matthew 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Matthew 17:8Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
Matthew 18:31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was…
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 21:15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in…
Matthew 21:19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit…
Matthew 21:20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the…
Matthew 21:38But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his…
Matthew 22:11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
Matthew 23:39For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Matthew 24:15“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in…
Matthew 24:33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
Matthew 24:43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have…
Matthew 25:26“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where…
Matthew 25:37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a…
Matthew 25:38When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?
Matthew 25:39When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
Matthew 25:44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick,…
Matthew 26:8But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
Matthew 26:58But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to…
Matthew 26:71When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with…
Matthew 27:3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of…
Matthew 27:18For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…
Matthew 27:49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Matthew 27:54Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were…
Matthew 28:6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
Matthew 28:17When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted.