ἐκταράσσω (ektarassō)
ektarassō
to disturb greatly
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ektarassō describes a state of being thrown into deep agitation or disturbance. It is an intensive form, suggesting that the trouble is not minor but overwhelming. The word appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:20, where it captures the sudden unrest caused by Paul and Silas.
In that specific context, the Roman authorities accuse the missionaries of "troubling the city" (polin ektarasantes). This usage highlights the political and social instability their presence created. The intensity of the verb reflects how deeply their message disrupted the established order and peace of Philippi.
Its rarity in Scripture makes this single occurrence particularly significant. It serves as a vivid marker for moments when the gospel challenges societal structures, causing immediate and profound discomfort among those in power. The word emphasizes the disruptive nature of early Christian witness in hostile environments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ektarassō describes a state of being thrown into deep agitation or disturbance. It is an intensive form, suggesting that the trouble is not minor but overwhelming. The word appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 16:20, where it captures the sudden unrest caused by Paul and Silas. In that specific context, the Roman authorities accuse the missionaries of "troubling the city" (polin ektarasantes). This usage highlights the political and social instability their presence created.
The intensity of the verb reflects how deeply their message disrupted the established order and peace of Philippi. Its rarity in Scripture makes this single occurrence particularly significant. It serves as a vivid marker for moments when the gospel challenges societal structures, causing immediate and profound discomfort among those in power. The word emphasizes the disruptive nature of early Christian witness in hostile environments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- exceedingly trouble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκταράσσουσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:20
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
This verse uses ektarassō to describe how Paul and Silas's presence agitated the city, showing that their message disrupted the established social order.