θεάομαι (theaomai)
theaomai
to look at
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb theaomai describes a deliberate, attentive act of looking at something or someone. It goes beyond casual sight to imply careful observation, often with an element of wonder or admiration. In the New Testament, this word appears in contexts where characters are struck by what they see, such as when John the Baptist gazes at Jesus and declares He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), or when the crowd looks on with amazement at His teaching (Mark 1:22).
Its usage spans both physical and spiritual perception. While it can simply mean to see with the eyes, as in Luke 7:24 where John sends messengers to see if Jesus is the one, it carries deeper weight when applied to divine revelation. The Gospel of John uses it powerfully in John 1:14 to describe the disciples beholding His glory, suggesting a vision that reveals truth beyond the surface. This attentive gaze distinguishes it from mere passing sight, highlighting a moment of recognition and understanding.
Translators often render theaomai as "behold" or "see," capturing its sense of focused attention. The word appears in passages where seeing leads to belief or deeper insight, such as in John 1:32 when John testifies that he saw the Spirit descend. Its presence in these texts underscores the importance of witnessing truth with clarity and reverence, inviting readers to consider what they truly perceive in their own encounters with Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word theaomai invites us into a posture of attentive observation, moving beyond casual sight to a deliberate gaze filled with wonder. When John the Baptist looked at Jesus, he did not merely glance; he beheld the Lamb of God, recognizing a spiritual reality that transformed his witness. This kind of seeing requires us to pause and truly perceive who Jesus is, rather than letting our eyes slide over the surface of things.
In our daily lives, this word challenges us to look with intentionality. Whether we are observing the fields ready for harvest or reflecting on the glory revealed in Christ, theaomai calls for a heart open to recognition and understanding. It reminds us that true sight often leads to belief, urging us to seek clarity and reverence in how we encounter truth.
As you engage with Scripture, consider what it means to truly see. May your gaze be fixed on the light of Christ, allowing His presence to shape your perspective and deepen your faith in every season.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having seen5×
- to see?2×
- to see2×
- to be seen2×
- you beheld1×
- we have gazed upon1×
- we beheld1×
- saw1×
- having beheld1×
- have seen1×
- has seen;1×
- do see1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θεασάμενος3×
- ἐθεάσαντο2×
- ἐθεασάμεθα2×
- θεάσασθαι;2×
- θεάσασθαι2×
- θεασάμενοι2×
- θεαθῆναι2×
- ἐθεάσατο1×
- ἐθεάσασθε1×
- ἐθεάθη1×
- τεθέαται·1×
- τεθέαμαι1×
Key Verses
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John 1:14
The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
This verse captures the profound spiritual weight of the word, as the disciples beheld the glory of the Word made flesh, revealing divine truth beyond mere physical sight.
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John 1:32
John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.
Here, John’s testimony highlights how deliberate observation of the Spirit descending led to a clear and authoritative witness about Jesus’ identity.
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John 4:35
Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest’? Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.
Jesus uses this concept to shift the disciples' focus from conventional timelines to an immediate, spiritual perception of readiness for harvest.
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Matthew 11:7
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Jesus questions the crowd’s intent in seeing John, challenging them to consider whether they truly perceived his prophetic role or merely a fragile figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does theaomai mean in the New Testament?
How is theaomai different from other Greek words for seeing?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (23 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 4 verses
“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from…
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
Matthew 22:11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
Matthew 23:5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their…