ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōneō)
epiphōneō
to shout
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb epiphōneō describes the act of calling out or shouting with some force. It appears only four times in the New Testament, primarily within the Acts of the Apostles and Luke’s Gospel. The word conveys a sudden, vocal expression that cuts through surrounding noise to demand attention.
Its usage highlights specific moments of public outcry or royal proclamation. For instance, it describes the crowd shouting for Barabbas in Luke 23:21 and the people clamoring against Paul in Acts 21:34. In Acts 12:22, it captures the crowd’s enthusiastic shout praising King Herod. The term often involves an accusative object, indicating what is being shouted about, or a dative of person, showing who is being addressed.
Derived from epí ("upon") and phōnḗ ("voice"), the word literally means to make a sound upon something or someone. This etymology underscores its function as an emphatic vocalization rather than a quiet conversation. Translators typically render it as "shout," "cry out," or "clamor," preserving the intensity of the original Greek action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epiphōneō describes a shout that cuts through the noise of everyday life to demand immediate attention. In Scripture, this is not a casual murmur but a forceful outcry that reveals what truly matters to a crowd or an individual. It captures moments when public opinion shifts rapidly, whether in support of a king or against an innocent man.
For your faith, this word reminds us that our voices have weight and that the world often reacts with intense emotion. When we read of crowds shouting for Barabbas or acclaiming Herod, we see how easily public sentiment can be swayed by passion rather than truth. It invites us to examine what we are shouting about in our own lives—whether our words align with justice and love.
Ultimately, this term highlights the power of vocal expression. While crowds may shout for temporary reasons, your voice can also be used to proclaim lasting truths. Let your speech reflect the peace of Christ, even when the world around you is loud and chaotic.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were crying out2×
- were crying out;1×
- were crying out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπεφώνουν3×
- ἐπεφώνει·1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 23:21
but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
This verse shows the word used for a hostile outcry against Jesus, highlighting how public pressure can override justice.
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Acts 12:22
The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Here the shout is one of misguided adulation for Herod, illustrating how crowds can quickly elevate human authority to divine status.
-
Acts 21:34
Some shouted one thing and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
The chaotic shouting here prevents Paul from defending himself, showing how noise can obscure the truth and hinder clear communication.