λαμβάνω (lambanō)
lambanō
to take
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 250 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb lambanō covers a broad range of actions involving possession, from physically taking an object to receiving a gift or accepting a truth. In the New Testament, it appears in 250 verses, most frequently in Matthew and John. Its basic sense is to lay hold of something, whether that is bread at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26) or a person’s hand. The word does not imply force; rather, it describes the simple act of grasping, taking, or receiving what is offered.
Beyond physical handling, lambanō carries significant theological weight when applied to abstract concepts. Jesus uses it when speaking of receiving eternal life (Mark 10:30) or when describing how people respond to his message (John 12:48). The sources highlight a key distinction: while humans may ask for things, lambanō is the verb used for actually receiving them (Matthew 7:8). This makes it essential for understanding passages about grace and acceptance, where the focus is on the act of taking hold of what God provides.
Its etymology as a prolonged form of a primary verb allows it to function in many compound forms, expanding its meaning from simple taking to complex interactions like enduring or interpreting. Translators often render it as "take," "receive," or "get," depending on context. The word’s versatility reflects the varied ways people interact with their world—whether seizing an opportunity, accepting a rebuke, or holding onto faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lambanō describes the simple act of taking hold of something offered to you. It appears in everyday moments, like receiving bread at a meal or accepting a coin for payment. But it also carries deep spiritual weight when we speak of receiving grace, life, or truth. It is not about forcing your way into possession, but rather opening your hands to accept what God freely provides.
In Matthew 7:8, Jesus promises that everyone who asks receives. This verb reminds us that faith involves both asking and accepting. When you face uncertainty, remember that receiving is a gift you are invited to take hold of. It is an act of trust, acknowledging that what is given is sufficient for your need.
This invitation extends to every area of life. Whether you are receiving comfort in sorrow or strength for a new day, lambanō encourages you to lay hold of God’s promises. Let this word be a gentle reminder that you do not have to earn these gifts; you simply need to receive them with an open heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 250 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having taken45×
- took15×
- having received14×
- to receive10×
- do take9×
- to take8×
- receiving8×
- receives6×
- you have received4×
- will receive4×
- takes4×
- received4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λαβὼν39×
- ἔλαβον23×
- ἔλαβεν21×
- λαβόντες16×
- λαβεῖν16×
- λαμβάνει12×
- ἐλάβετε7×
- λάβετε7×
- λάβῃ6×
- λαβοῦσα6×
- λαμβάνοντες5×
- ἐλάβομεν4×
Key Verses
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Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
This verse establishes the foundational principle that asking leads to receiving, using lambanō to describe the divine response to human petition.
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Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Here the word links the reception of spiritual authority with the obligation to share it freely, highlighting the non-transactional nature of grace.
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Matthew 13:20
What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;
In this parable, lambanō describes a superficial acceptance of the word that lacks depth, contrasting true faith with fleeting enthusiasm.
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Matthew 19:29
Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.
This promise uses the verb to assure believers that sacrifice for Christ’s name results in abundant spiritual reception and eternal inheritance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic meaning of lambanō?
How is lambanō different from other words for receiving?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (250 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 53 verses
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
Matthew 7:8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 8:17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our…
Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Matthew 10:38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.
Matthew 10:41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in…
Matthew 12:14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.
Matthew 13:20What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;
Matthew 13:31He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took,…
Matthew 13:33He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of…
Matthew 14:19He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to…
Matthew 15:26But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Matthew 15:36and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples…
Matthew 16:5The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.
Matthew 16:7They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”
Matthew 16:9Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up,
Matthew 16:10or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?
Matthew 17:24When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher…
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 17:27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have…
Matthew 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…
Matthew 20:7“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will…
Matthew 20:9“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.
Matthew 20:10When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.
Matthew 20:11When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
Matthew 21:22All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:34When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
Matthew 21:35The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Matthew 21:39So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard, then killed him.
Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Matthew 23:14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…
Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:3Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
Matthew 25:4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:16Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 25:18But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:20He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five…
Matthew 25:22“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another…
Matthew 25:24“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you…
Matthew 26:26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…
Matthew 26:27He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it,
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 27:1Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to…
Matthew 27:6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the…
Matthew 27:7They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in.
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…
Matthew 27:30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
Matthew 27:48Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.
Matthew 27:49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Matthew 27:59Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth
Matthew 28:12When they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,
Matthew 28:15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until…