κινέω (kineō)
kineō
to move
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kineō means to set something in motion or to move from one place to another. In the New Testament it describes physical movement, such as shaking the head in mockery during Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:39), or the literal removal of mountains in apocalyptic visions (Revelation 6:14). Its basic sense is simple: initiating motion or causing something to shift position.
Beyond physical displacement, the word carries a metaphorical weight when applied to human behavior. It describes stirring up unrest or exciting a disturbance among people. This usage appears in Acts, where Paul is accused of inciting riots (Acts 24:5) and where crowds are stirred into commotion (Acts 21:30). Here, the motion is not bodily but social, suggesting a force that disrupts stability.
Its etymology links it to the poetic form of "to go," emphasizing the act of starting a journey or change. Translators often render it simply as "move" or "remove," but the context usually reveals whether the motion is neutral, like a mountain shifting, or volatile, like a crowd being stirred up. The word captures both the quiet physics of moving objects and the loud dynamics of social upheaval.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kineō describes the simple act of moving, whether it is a physical shift or a social disturbance. In Matthew 27:39, mockers wag their heads to show contempt, while in Acts 21:30, the same root describes a city thrown into chaos by fear and anger. These examples show that motion can be used for ridicule or unrest, highlighting how easily stability can be disrupted by human actions.
Yet this word also points to our deep connection with God. In Acts 17:28, Paul quotes a poet to say we live, move, and have our being in Him. This suggests that every step we take, every change we experience, is held within His care. It reminds us that even when circumstances shift around us, our existence is anchored in something unshakeable.
When life feels unstable, remember that your movement is not random. Whether you are facing personal challenges or watching the world change, you are sustained by the One who holds all things together. This truth offers a quiet confidence that does not depend on external conditions but on divine presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were moved,1×
- wagging1×
- to move1×
- stirring1×
- shaking1×
- move1×
- Was thrown into commotion1×
- I will remove1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κινοῦντες2×
- ἐκινήθησαν,1×
- ἐκινήθη1×
- κινῆσαι1×
- κινήσω1×
- κινοῦντα1×
- κινούμεθα1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 17:28
‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
This verse uses kineō to describe our fundamental dependence on God for every moment of existence, contrasting physical motion with spiritual sustenance.
-
Matthew 27:39
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads
Here the word describes the specific gesture of mocking Jesus, showing how movement can be weaponized for contempt rather than constructive action.
-
Acts 21:30
All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.
The term captures the sudden, chaotic stirring of a crowd, illustrating how social unrest can erupt from fear and misunderstanding.
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Revelation of John 6:14
The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
This apocalyptic imagery uses kineō to depict the removal of mountains and islands, emphasizing the total upheaval of the natural order at the end times.