ὁδηγός (hodēgos)
hodēgos
guide/leader
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hodēgos literally means "one who leads on the way," combining roots for path and leading. In the New Testament it appears five times, primarily in Matthew and Romans, to describe a guide or leader. The term carries both physical and metaphorical weight, referring to someone who directs others along a journey.
Its most striking usage occurs in Matthew 15:14 and 23:16, where Jesus calls the Pharisees "blind guides" (hodēgoi typhlōn). Here the word underscores the danger of leadership without true insight. Paul also uses it in Romans 2:19 to describe a self-appointed guide of the blind, highlighting the responsibility that comes with teaching others.
While the word can simply mean a physical guide, its biblical usage often emphasizes spiritual direction. Translators render it as "guide" or "leader," but the context usually implies moral or religious instruction rather than mere navigation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hodēgos reminds us that leadership is fundamentally about direction. In the New Testament, it describes someone who leads others along a path. This can be a physical journey or a spiritual one. The term appears in contexts where guidance carries serious weight, especially when those in charge lack true insight.
Jesus uses this word to warn against blind leadership that leads people into error. At the same time, Paul highlights the responsibility of those who claim to guide others. It is a sobering thought that our direction affects many lives. We are called to seek guidance rooted in truth rather than mere opinion.
This word invites us to examine who we follow and how we lead others. True guidance requires humility and clarity. May we walk in wisdom and help others find the right path.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- guides2×
- guide1×
- a guide1×
- Guides1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὁδηγοὶ2×
- ὁδηγὸν1×
- ὁδηγοῦ1×
- ὁδηγοί1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:14
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Jesus uses this word to condemn religious leaders whose lack of spiritual insight leads others into error.
-
Romans 2:19
and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Paul challenges the self-assurance of those who claim to guide others while risking their own accountability.
-
Acts 1:16
“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
This rare usage identifies Judas as the one who directed the arrest, showing how guidance can be used for harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hodēgos mean in the Bible?
Why does Jesus call the Pharisees blind guides?
How is hodēgos different from other words for leader?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:24You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!