ἐξορκίζω (exorkizō)
exorkizō
to adjure
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb exorkizō means to place someone under a solemn oath, compelling them to speak truth by invoking divine authority. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Matthew 26:63, where the high priest demands that Jesus tell them whether He is the Messiah. This usage reflects a formal legal or ritual pressure, similar to how the Old Testament describes forcing an oath upon someone (Judges 17:2; 1 Kings 22:16).
Its root combines a prefix indicating thoroughness with a word related to "oath." The sources note that while later usage in magical texts sometimes shifted toward exorcism, the biblical context here is strictly about binding speech under oath. Translators render it as "adjure" or "solemnly charge," capturing the gravity of the demand rather than mere questioning.
This single occurrence highlights the intensity of the trial before Jesus’ crucifixion. The high priest does not ask casually but demands a sworn declaration, setting the stage for the charge of blasphemy. The word underscores the seriousness with which religious authorities approached truth and identity in that moment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word exorkizō appears only once in the New Testament, capturing a moment of intense spiritual confrontation. In Matthew 26:63, the high priest does not merely ask Jesus a question; he places Him under a solemn oath by the living God. This was not casual curiosity but a formal demand for truth, using divine authority to compel an answer.
For your faith, this word reminds us that truth carries weight. When we speak or live out our beliefs, we are always before God. The high priest’s attempt to bind Jesus highlights the seriousness of identity and witness. It invites us to consider how seriously we take the name of God in our own lives.
Even in silence or trial, Jesus remained faithful to the truth. This single occurrence shows that God’s presence is not something to be manipulated or forced. Instead, it calls us to live with integrity, knowing that every word and action stands before the living God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I adjure1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξορκίζω1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:63
But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
The high priest uses this verb to demand a sworn declaration from Jesus, showing the legal and spiritual gravity of the trial.