ἐπανάγω (epanagō)
epanagō
to set off
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epanagō describes the specific action of putting out to sea or setting off from shore. Its literal sense involves leading a vessel onto the open water, capturing the moment a ship leaves land behind. In the New Testament, this nautical imagery appears in Luke 5:3-4, where Jesus steps into Simon Peter’s boat and sets out on the lake to teach the crowds gathered on the shore.
While primarily maritime, the word also carries a broader sense of returning or going back. This secondary meaning surfaces in Matthew 21:18, when Jesus leaves Bethany and returns to Jerusalem. The term thus bridges two distinct movements: launching outward into the deep waters of ministry, and coming back to the place of origin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epanagō captures the decisive moment of leaving the shore behind to enter open water. In Luke’s account, Jesus invites Simon Peter to move his boat from the safety of the land into the deep lake. This shift marks a transition from ordinary routine to a space prepared for divine instruction. The physical act of setting out creates room for teaching and ministry that cannot happen on dry ground.
Similarly, in Matthew’s narrative, Jesus uses this movement to return to Jerusalem after a day in Bethany. The term bridges the outward journey into ministry and the necessary return to community. It reminds us that spiritual growth often requires both venturing into new challenges and returning to familiar places of rest. Trusting the One who guides these movements brings peace to every season of change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to put off1×
- he is coming back1×
- do put off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπανάγων1×
- ἐπανάγαγε1×
- ἐπαναγαγεῖν1×
Key Verses
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Luke 5:3
He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
This verse highlights the initial step of moving away from land, creating a distinct space for Jesus to teach the crowds.
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Luke 5:4
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Here the command to put out into the deep signals a shift from teaching to active obedience and miraculous provision.
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Matthew 21:18
Now in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.
The word describes Jesus’ return journey to Jerusalem, showing how movement back to origin can precede significant spiritual events.