ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai)
exerchomai
to go out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 214 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb exerchomai simply means to go out or come forth from a place. It appears frequently in the Gospels to describe physical movement, such as Jesus leaving his home to pray in the early morning (Mark 1:35) or departing Jerusalem after teaching (Matthew 21:17). The word covers any exit, whether a person walking away from a crowd or stepping out of a house.
Its range extends beyond physical space. It describes the expulsion of demons from a person, as seen when Jesus commands an unclean spirit to leave (Mark 1:25). It also applies to abstract things emerging into view, such as rumors spreading through a region (Mark 1:28) or reports reaching authorities (Luke 2:1). In these cases, the focus is on something becoming known or visible from a hidden source.
A notable feature of this word is its use in metaphorical contexts regarding community and origin. It describes those who leave a group because they do not truly belong, as John writes about false teachers who went out from the believers (1 John 2:19). This usage highlights that physical departure can signal a deeper spiritual separation. The term captures both the act of leaving and the result of being cast out.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word exerchomai describes the simple act of going out or coming forth. In the Gospels, this term captures both physical movement and spiritual realities. Jesus often went out to pray or to meet those in need, showing that stepping away from familiar places can be a way to find strength and compassion. It reminds us that God’s presence moves with us into new spaces.
This word also describes things emerging from hidden sources. Demons leaving a person, rumors spreading through a region, or evil thoughts rising from the heart all use this same verb. It shows that what is inside eventually comes out. For your faith, this offers hope: just as darkness can be driven out by Jesus’ power, light and truth can emerge into your life when you invite Him in.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 214 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having gone out23×
- went out20×
- having gone forth10×
- He went forth6×
- went forth5×
- he went forth5×
- do go out4×
- came forth4×
- He went out4×
- Having gone out4×
- will go out3×
- to go out3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξῆλθεν60×
- ἐξελθὼν21×
- ἐξῆλθον18×
- ἐξελθόντες16×
- ἔξελθε10×
- ἐξήλθατε9×
- ἐξελθεῖν7×
- ἐξῆλθεν,4×
- Ἐξῆλθεν3×
- ἐξῆλθον.3×
- ἐξέλθῃ3×
- ἐξερχόμενοι3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:28
When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way.
This verse highlights the word's use for demons emerging from tombs, showing Jesus' authority over spiritual forces.
-
Matthew 13:3
He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.
Here the word describes a farmer going out to sow, illustrating ordinary daily actions within Jesus' parables.
-
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
This occurrence connects physical 'going out' with moral reality, showing that evil thoughts come from within the heart.
-
Matthew 17:18
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
The demon going out of the boy demonstrates the immediate healing power of Jesus' command.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does exerchomai mean in the Bible?
How is exerchomai different from other words for leaving?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (214 verses across 16 books)
Matthew 44 verses
‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who…
Matthew 5:26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 8:28When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there,…
Matthew 8:32He said to them, “Go!” They came out and went into the herd of pigs; and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the…
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 9:26The report of this went out into all that land.
Matthew 9:31But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
Matthew 9:32As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.
Matthew 10:11Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
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 12:14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.
Matthew 12:43“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
Matthew 12:44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and…
Matthew 13:1On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside.
Matthew 13:3He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.
Matthew 13:49So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous,
Matthew 14:14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 15:18But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
Matthew 15:19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
Matthew 15:21Jesus went out from there and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My…
Matthew 17:18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him…
Matthew 20:1“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire…
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 20:5Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day…
Matthew 21:17He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
Matthew 22:10Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding…
Matthew 24:1Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the…
Matthew 24:26“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’…
Matthew 24:27For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:6But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
Matthew 26:30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…
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 26:75Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then…
Matthew 27:32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might…
Matthew 27:49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Matthew 27:53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.