κατηγορέω (katēgoreō)
katēgoreō
to accuse
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katēgoreō describes the formal act of bringing a charge against someone, typically in a legal setting. Its literal sense is to speak down or speak out against another person, which gives it a weightier tone than casual criticism. In the New Testament, it almost always refers to accusing someone before a judge or authority figure, as seen when religious leaders sought grounds to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath (Mark 3:2) or when Paul defended himself against specific charges in Caesarea (Acts 24:19).
This word carries significant judicial gravity. It is not merely complaining but initiating a formal accusation. The sources highlight its use in Acts, where it appears frequently during Paul’s trials, illustrating the hostile legal environment he faced. Even in Revelation, the title "the accuser of our brothers" (Rev 12:10) uses this verb to describe Satan’s role in bringing charges against believers before God, showing its application beyond human courts.
Translators usually render katēgoreō as "accuse," though this can sometimes feel too broad. The Greek implies a structured complaint with specific allegations. For instance, in Luke 23:14, Pilate states he found no basis for the accusations brought against Jesus, using a form that emphasizes the formal nature of the charges. This precision helps readers understand the legal stakes involved in these biblical narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katēgoreō describes a formal accusation, often within a legal setting. In the New Testament, it appears when religious leaders brought charges against Jesus or when Paul faced trial in Caesarea. It is not casual criticism but a structured complaint with specific allegations. This weighty term reminds us that accusations carry serious consequences and require careful examination.
Even in Revelation, Satan is called 'the accuser of our brothers,' bringing charges before God day and night. Yet this same word shows that truth prevails. Pilate found no basis for the charges against Jesus, and Paul defended himself with clarity. For you, this means your conscience can testify clearly when you live in integrity. You are not defined by false accusations but by the truth of Christ.
When others speak against you, remember that God sees the heart. Your identity rests in Him, not in what others say. This assurance brings peace even when facing hostility or misunderstanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to accuse4×
- accusing4×
- they may accuse3×
- will accuse1×
- were accusing1×
- to make accusation,1×
- to lay against.1×
- they should accuse1×
- they accuse!1×
- they accuse1×
- is accusing1×
- he is accused1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατηγορεῖν4×
- κατηγορήσωσιν3×
- κατηγορῶν2×
- κατηγοροῦσίν2×
- κατηγόρουν1×
- κατηγορήσω1×
- κατηγοροῦσιν.¶1×
- κατηγοροῦντες1×
- κατηγοροῦμεν1×
- κατηγορούντων1×
- κατηγορούμενος1×
- κατηγορεῖτε1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 12:10
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
This verse applies the verb to Satan’s role, showing how accusations can be spiritual attacks against believers before God.
-
Luke 23:14
and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.
Pilate uses this term to declare that no valid charge existed against Jesus, highlighting the importance of factual accuracy in accusations.
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Acts 24:19
They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.
Paul points out the lack of proper procedure in how his accusers handled their claims, emphasizing justice in legal matters.
-
Matthew 12:10
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him.
The Pharisees sought grounds to accuse Jesus, revealing how accusations can stem from hostility rather than truth.