ζητέω (zēteō)
zēteō
to seek
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 116 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb zēteō simply means to seek in order to find. It covers a wide range of human activity, from looking for lost items to searching for truth or demanding justice. In the Gospels, it appears frequently as Jesus instructs his followers to prioritize spiritual realities, such as seeking God’s kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33). The word captures the active effort required to locate something that is not immediately present.
Its meaning shifts subtly depending on what is being sought. When applied to people, it can describe a positive desire for connection or a hostile plot against life, as seen when Herod sought to kill the child Jesus (Matthew 2:20). In intellectual contexts, it involves inquiry and meditation, such as when Paul notes that God allows people to seek Him so they might find Him (Acts 17:27). This flexibility allows the same word to describe both a mother’s search for her son in the temple and a crowd’s demand for a miraculous sign.
Translators often render zēteō as "seek," but the underlying sense is one of purposeful pursuit rather than passive hoping. The sources highlight that this action implies a specific goal, whether it is finding a lost coin or striving after eternal life. By using this term, Scripture emphasizes that faith and obedience require intentional effort and direction, not merely abstract belief.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ζητέω (zēteō) describes a purposeful pursuit, not a passive wish. It implies an active effort to locate something that is not immediately present. In Scripture, this term covers everything from searching for lost items to striving for spiritual truth. It reminds us that faith requires direction and intention, rather than abstract belief alone.
Jesus invites us to apply this same energy to what matters most. When He commands us to seek God’s Kingdom first, He promises that our other needs will be met. This is not about earning favor through exhaustion, but about aligning our hearts with His priorities. The promise in Matthew 7:8 assures us that those who seek find, offering hope for anyone feeling distant from God.
Whether you are looking for guidance or simply wanting to know God better, this word encourages deliberate action. It is an invitation to move toward Him with clarity and purpose. You do not need to have all the answers; you only need to keep seeking.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 116 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- seeking22×
- were seeking13×
- do seek9×
- seeks6×
- you seek5×
- he was seeking5×
- they were seeking4×
- will seek3×
- seek you?3×
- are seeking3×
- You will seek3×
- They were seeking3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐζήτουν18×
- ζητῶν9×
- ζητοῦντες9×
- ζητεῖτε9×
- ἐζήτει7×
- ζητεῖ7×
- ζητῶ4×
- ζητήσετέ4×
- ζητεῖτε,4×
- ζητοῦσιν,3×
- ζητοῦσιν3×
- ζητεῖτέ3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 6:33
But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
This verse establishes the primary spiritual priority, linking the act of seeking directly to receiving God's provision.
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Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
Here the word is paired with asking and knocking to show that persistent pursuit leads to finding divine response.
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Luke 2:48
When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
Mary’s anxious search illustrates the human side of seeking, showing how deeply parents care for their children.
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Matthew 2:20
“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
This occurrence shows a negative use, where seeking is directed toward harm rather than relationship or truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ζητέω mean in the Bible?
How is this word different from just wanting something?
Does this word always have a positive meaning?
Every Occurrence (116 verses across 16 books)
Matthew 14 verses
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the…
Matthew 2:20“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s…
Matthew 6:33But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 7:7“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
Matthew 7:8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 12:43“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.
Matthew 12:46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Matthew 12:47One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”
Matthew 13:45“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,
Matthew 18:12“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go…
Matthew 21:46When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Matthew 26:16From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:59Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him…
Matthew 28:5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.