ἐκφέρω (ekpherō)
ekpherō
to bring/carry out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekpherō means to carry or bring something out, often with a sense of moving it from inside to outside. In the New Testament, it appears eight times, primarily in Acts and the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Its usage is quite specific: it frequently describes physical actions like leading someone out or carrying objects away.
A notable distinction arises in how translators handle this word when referring to death. In Acts 5, the text uses ekpherō to describe the act of carrying the bodies of Ananias and Sapphira out for burial. Here, the word carries a somber weight, focusing on the logistical removal of the dead rather than just the emotional state of grief. This usage aligns with its common meaning in classical Greek, where it simply denotes transporting something from one place to another.
The word’s components are straightforward: ek ("out") and pherō ("to carry"). While it can mean "bring forth" in a general sense, as seen in Hebrews 6:8 regarding the earth producing vegetation, its most vivid occurrences involve people. Whether Jesus leads someone out of a crowd or servants bring items out to others, the action is always concrete and directional.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ekpherō simply means to carry or bring something out from one place to another. In the New Testament, it appears in eight verses, mostly in Acts and the Gospels of Mark and Luke. It describes physical actions like leading someone out of a crowd or carrying objects away. This concrete meaning helps us see how God works in real, tangible ways in our daily lives.
For example, in Mark 8:23, Jesus takes a blind man by the hand and brings him out of the village before healing him. This shows that Jesus meets people where they are and guides them step by step. Similarly, in Luke 15:22, the father commands servants to bring out the best robe for his returning son. These moments remind us that God’s grace often comes through simple, everyday actions that restore dignity and hope.
Even in somber contexts like Acts 5, where bodies are carried out for burial, the word retains its literal sense of moving something from inside to outside. It does not add emotional commentary but focuses on the act itself. This clarity helps us understand Scripture without overcomplicating it. When we read these passages, we can trust that God is present in both joy and sorrow, working through ordinary means to bring about His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to carry out1×
- to bring out1×
- they will carry out1×
- he brought1×
- having carried out1×
- having carried [him] out1×
- do bring out1×
- [That] bringing forth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξενέγκαντες2×
- ἐξήνεγκεν1×
- ἐξοίσουσίν1×
- ἐξενέγκατε1×
- ἐξενεγκεῖν1×
- ἐκφέρουσα1×
- ἐκφέρειν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 8:23
He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
Jesus leads the blind man out of the village before healing him, showing a personal, step-by-step approach to restoration.
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Luke 15:22
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
The father orders servants to bring out the best robe, symbolizing the immediate restoration of honor for the repentant son.
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Acts 5:6
The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
Young men carry Ananias’s body out for burial, highlighting the serious consequences of deceit within the early church community.
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I Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
Paul reminds believers that we bring nothing into the world and can take nothing out, emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly possessions.