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εὐαγγελίζομαι (euangelizomai)

euangelizomai

to speak good news

G2097 · Greek · New Testament · 52 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
52 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb euangelizomai means to announce glad tidings or bring good news. In the New Testament, it is used especially for the Christian message of salvation through Christ and the coming kingdom of God. The sources note that in the Old Testament (LXX), the word often translates a Hebrew term meaning to speak of God’s loving kindness or Messianic blessings, such as in Isaiah 40:9.

The word appears most frequently in Acts, Luke, and Galatians. It can be used actively, passively, or mid-passively. For example, Jesus tells the blind man that glad tidings are proclaimed to him (Matthew 11:5), while Paul says he preaches the gospel to the Gentiles (Romans 15:20). The sources highlight its use with different grammatical constructions, such as preaching peace (Acts 10:36) or proclaiming the kingdom of God (Luke 8:1).

A notable feature is its connection to joy and relief. In classical Greek, it was used for announcing victories or happy events. The New Testament adapts this to spiritual good news. Translators often render it as "preach the gospel," though the original sense is broader, covering any announcement of joyful tidings from God.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word euangelizomai carries a sense of urgent relief and celebration. In ancient times, it announced military victories or royal births that changed the course of history. For Christians, this term describes the announcement that God’s love has reached its goal in Jesus Christ. It is not merely information; it is an invitation to share in a joy that transcends our daily struggles.

When Jesus said the poor have good news preached to them (Matthew 11:5), He highlighted that this message reaches those who feel overlooked by society. The gospel offers dignity and hope to everyone, regardless of their status or past mistakes. This announcement is meant to be shared with warmth and clarity, reminding us that we are part of a story far bigger than ourselves.

Living out this calling means looking for opportunities to speak life into difficult situations. It invites us to see our conversations as chances to point others toward the peace found in Christ. May you find joy in being a messenger of this enduring hope, bringing light to those who walk in darkness.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 52 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • evangelising9×
  • to evangelise6×
  • I evangelised4×
  • having been evangelised3×
  • evangelising [about]3×
  • is evangelising2×
  • he was evangelising2×
  • having evangelised2×
  • evangelised2×
  • we evangelised1×
  • to evangelise;1×
  • to evangelise.1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • εὐαγγελιζόμενοι7×
  • εὐηγγελισάμην4×
  • εὐαγγελίσασθαι3×
  • εὐαγγελιζόμενος3×
  • εὐηγγελίσατο2×
  • εὐηγγελίζετο2×
  • εὐαγγελίσασθαί2×
  • εὐαγγελίζεται2×
  • εὐαγγελισθὲν2×
  • εὐαγγελιζομένων2×
  • εὐηγγέλισεν1×
  • εὐηγγελίσθη,1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 4:18
    “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,

    Jesus identifies His primary mission as preaching good news to the poor, linking spiritual liberation with physical and social care.

  • Acts 10:36
    The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—

    Peter explains that this message is fundamentally about peace through Jesus Christ, who holds authority over all things.

  • Luke 2:10
    The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

    The angel connects the announcement of Jesus' birth directly with 'great joy,' showing that the core of the gospel is celebratory relief.

  • Matthew 11:5
    the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

    Jesus uses this term to validate His identity by pointing to acts of mercy and restoration for the marginalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does euangelizomai mean in the New Testament?

It means to speak good news or announce glad tidings. In the Bible, it specifically refers to proclaiming the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and the arrival of God's kingdom.

How is this word different from simply preaching?

While 'preaching' can refer to any sermon, euangelizomai specifically emphasizes the joyful nature of the message. It carries the original Greek sense of announcing a victory or a happy event that brings relief and hope.

Who is the primary audience for this good news?

The text shows it is for everyone, but especially for the poor, captives, and brokenhearted. Jesus explicitly states He was sent to preach good news to the poor (Luke 4:18), indicating God's special care for those who are marginalized.

Where does this word appear most frequently?

It appears most often in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. These books focus heavily on the spread of the Christian message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Every Occurrence (52 verses across 12 books)

Matthew 1 verse
Luke 10 verses
Acts 15 verses
Romans 3 verses
I Corinthians 5 verses
II Corinthians 2 verses
Galatians 6 verses
Ephesians 2 verses
I Thessalonians 1 verse
Hebrews 2 verses
I Peter 3 verses
Revelation of John 2 verses