ὁράω (horaō)
horaō
to see: see
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 58 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb horāō means to see with focused attention, often carrying a sense of duration or intensity. While everyday speech preferred other words for casual looking, this term appears frequently in the New Testament to describe deliberate observation. It covers physical sight, as when Jesus invites Nathanael to “come and see” (John 1:46), but also mental perception, such as recognizing spiritual truth in Matthew 9:2.
A distinctive feature of horāō is its use for experiencing life events or visiting people. In Luke 2:26, Simeon had seen the Lord’s Messiah, meaning he experienced that reality. The word also appears in warnings to “take heed” (Matthew 8:4), linking visual attention to careful conduct. This breadth allows it to bridge the gap between simple observation and deep, transformative understanding.
Translators often render horāō as “see,” but the Greek implies a more active engagement than passive reception. It suggests that seeing is not merely receiving light on the retina, but grasping meaning. This nuance supports the biblical theme that true sight involves both the eyes and the heart, leading to recognition and response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word horāō invites us into a deeper kind of attention. It is not just about eyes opening, but about the heart paying close focus. When Jesus tells people to 'see' in these texts, He is asking for active engagement with truth, not passive observation. This distinction matters because it shifts our faith from mere hearing to lived understanding.
Consider how this word bridges the physical and spiritual. In John 1:46, Nathanael is invited to come and see, moving from rumor to direct experience. Similarly, Matthew 24:6 uses this term to urge calmness during turmoil, linking what we observe with how we conduct ourselves. True sight here means recognizing God's presence in the ordinary moments of life.
This active seeing encourages us to look beyond surface appearances. It suggests that spiritual perception grows when we intentionally focus on Christ’s actions and words. By practicing this kind of deliberate attention, we allow Scripture to shape our daily responses, finding peace and clarity even when circumstances are uncertain or confusing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 58 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- has seen5×
- you have seen4×
- we have seen4×
- he has seen4×
- having seen3×
- have seen3×
- do see that3×
- do see [that]3×
- seeing2×
- do watch2×
- I will see2×
- you will see1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑώρακεν8×
- ὅρα5×
- ὁρᾶτε5×
- ἑωράκαμεν5×
- ἑώρακα3×
- ὄψῃ.2×
- ὄψομαι2×
- ὁρῶ2×
- ὁρᾶτε,2×
- ἑώρακας2×
- ἑωρακὼς2×
- Ὁρᾶτε1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
This verse uses horāō to command emotional stability during times of war, linking visual attention to inner peace.
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John 1:34
I have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
Here the word grounds testimony in direct personal experience, establishing authority through what was actually witnessed.
-
John 6:46
Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.
This passage contrasts human inability to see God with Christ’s unique relationship, highlighting the spiritual depth of the verb.
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Luke 24:23
and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
The women report seeing a vision, showing how horāō can describe supernatural encounters that confirm divine reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does horāō mean in the New Testament?
How is horāō different from other Greek words for seeing?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (58 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 6 verses
Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses…
Matthew 9:30Then their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.”
Matthew 16:6Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 18:10See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of…
Matthew 24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not…
Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”