ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō)
hetoimazō
to make ready
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hetoimazō means to make ready or prepare something for a specific purpose. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from practical hospitality to divine orchestration. Jesus uses it when instructing his disciples to arrange the Passover meal (Luke 22:13), and Paul asks Philemon to prepare a guest room for his arrival (Philemon 22). The word conveys a sense of active, deliberate effort to ensure that everything is in order.
Its most striking usage draws on an ancient custom where messengers were sent ahead of a king to level roads and clear obstacles. This image frames John the Baptist’s call to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). Here, the preparation is spiritual; it involves clearing the human heart to receive the Messiah. The sources note that this metaphorical use extends to God preparing blessings for his people (Matthew 25:34) or judgments for the wicked (Matthew 25:41), showing that hetoimazō covers both grace and justice.
Etymologically, the verb stems from hetoimos, meaning “ready” or “at hand.” While English translations often simply use “prepare,” the Greek carries a heavier weight of finality. It is not merely planning; it is the act of making something fit for its intended destination. Whether describing the preparation of a meal or the ordaining of eternal destinies, hetoimazō emphasizes that nothing in God’s plan is left to chance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hetoimazō carries the simple but profound meaning of making something ready for a specific purpose. In our daily lives, we often prepare meals or pack bags for trips, but this Greek verb points to a deeper reality: God actively arranges circumstances and hearts to meet His intentions. It is not passive waiting; it is an active engagement with the present moment to align with what is coming.
When Jesus asked his disciples to prepare the Passover meal, he was engaging in practical hospitality that pointed toward his ultimate sacrifice. Similarly, John the Baptist used this word to describe clearing obstacles from our hearts so we can receive the Messiah without hindrance. This preparation involves both external actions and internal honesty, ensuring we are fit for the encounter God desires.
For your faith life, this means you do not need to worry about whether you are 'ready enough' on your own. God prepares the way for us, clearing paths and setting tables even when we feel unprepared. We join him in this work by being obedient in small things, trusting that he is orchestrating everything toward a good end. His preparation ensures that nothing in his plan is left to chance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- prepared8×
- do prepare8×
- they prepared3×
- we may prepare2×
- to prepare2×
- to make ready2×
- you did prepare —1×
- we may prepare?1×
- they had prepared1×
- shall prepare1×
- prepared.1×
- may be prepared1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἡτοίμασαν6×
- ἑτοιμάσατε6×
- ἑτοιμάσαι4×
- ἡτοίμασεν3×
- ἡτοιμασμένον2×
- ἡτοιμασμένην2×
- ἡτοίμασται.¶1×
- ἡτοίμασται1×
- ἡτοίμασας,1×
- ἡτοίμασας1×
- ἡτοίμακα,1×
- ἡτοιμασμένον.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!”
This verse uses the word to describe John the Baptist’s role in clearing spiritual obstacles so people can receive Jesus.
-
Luke 22:13
They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Here the disciples actively obey Jesus’ specific instructions to arrange the Passover, showing practical preparation for a sacred event.
-
Matthew 25:34
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
The King invites the blessed to inherit a kingdom that God has prepared from the foundation of the world, highlighting divine initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hetoimazō mean in the New Testament?
How is hetoimazō different from other Greek words for prepare?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (40 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 7 verses
For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the…
Matthew 20:23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on…
Matthew 22:4Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle…
Matthew 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from…
Matthew 25:41Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared…
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…
Matthew 26:19The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.