ἐκβάλλω (ekballō)
ekballō
to expel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 76 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekballō means to drive or cast out, carrying a forceful sense of removal from one space into another. Its components—ek ("out") and ballō ("to throw")—create an image of decisive action. In the New Testament, this word appears in contexts ranging from the physical expulsion of demons (Mark 1:34) to Jesus clearing the temple courts by driving out merchants (Matthew 21:12). It describes a movement that is not merely passive but initiated by an external force.
While often translated as "cast out," the word also covers commands to depart in haste, such as when Jesus sends demons away or instructs disciples to leave a house. The sources note its use in secular Greek for actions like jettisoning cargo during a storm (Acts 27:38), highlighting its practical, physical nature. This concrete imagery helps explain why it is used for both the expulsion of evil spirits and the rejection of people from social or religious communities.
Translators sometimes render ekballō as "put forth" or "bring out," particularly when referring to drawing something from within, like a plank from an eye (Matthew 7:5). However, the dominant sense remains one of ejection. The word underscores the authority of the speaker, whether that is Jesus commanding unclean spirits or a community removing a member for serious misconduct (3 John 10). Its consistent use across diverse contexts shows how early Christians understood expulsion as a clear, boundary-setting act.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekballō paints a picture of decisive removal. It is not a gentle suggestion but a forceful casting out. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this authority to drive away demons and clear the temple. This shows that God’s kingdom actively opposes evil and disorder. It brings relief to those burdened by spiritual oppression or social exclusion.
For your faith, this means you can trust in a Savior who takes charge of chaos. When life feels overwhelming or when inner struggles seem too heavy, remember that Christ has the power to remove what harms you. He does not ignore the darkness but acts with clear authority to bring light and healing into your heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 76 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to cast out7×
- do cast out6×
- cast out6×
- casting out4×
- puts forth3×
- He casts out3×
- they may cast out2×
- they cast2×
- having taken out2×
- do they cast out?2×
- I may cast out2×
- He may send out2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκβάλλει8×
- ἐξέβαλον6×
- ἔκβαλε5×
- ἐξέβαλεν5×
- ἐκβάλλω5×
- ἐκβάλλειν5×
- ἐκβάλῃ4×
- ἐκβαλὼν4×
- ἐκβάλω3×
- ἐκβάλλουσιν;3×
- ἐκβαλεῖν3×
- ἐκβάλωσιν2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 8:16
When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
This verse highlights Jesus' immediate authority, as he casts out spirits with just a single word, showing the ease of his power over evil forces.
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Matthew 21:12
Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves.
Here, Jesus drives out merchants from the temple, demonstrating that his zeal for God's house involves removing commercial exploitation and restoring worship.
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Matthew 9:33
When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
The casting out of a demon restores speech to a mute man, illustrating how this act brings physical and spiritual wholeness to the broken.
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Matthew 12:28
But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
Jesus links his power to cast out demons directly to the arrival of God's Kingdom, proving that his authority signals a new era of divine rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ekballō mean?
How is ekballō different from other words for leaving?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (76 verses across 9 books)
Matthew 25 verses
Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:5You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your…
Matthew 7:22Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your…
Matthew 8:12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of…
Matthew 8:16When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all…
Matthew 8:31The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”
Matthew 9:25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 9:33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen…
Matthew 9:34But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”
Matthew 9:38Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 10:1He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…
Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Matthew 12:20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
Matthew 12:24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the…
Matthew 12:26If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
Matthew 12:27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Matthew 12:28But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
Matthew 12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil…
Matthew 13:52He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a…
Matthew 15:17Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body?
Matthew 17:19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
Matthew 21:12Jesus entered into the temple of God and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the…
Matthew 21:39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard, then killed him.
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…
Matthew 25:30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’