παγιδεύω (pagideuō)
pagideuō
to trap
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb pagideuō means to trap or ensnare, drawing its imagery from the hunting practice of setting snares for birds. In the New Testament, this concrete physical action is applied metaphorically to a social and legal maneuver. It describes the act of trying to catch someone in a verbal trap, where a question is designed not to seek truth but to elicit a statement that can be used as grounds for accusation.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in Matthew 22:15. There, the Pharisees attempt to pagideuō Jesus by sending their disciples with a tricky question about paying taxes to Caesar. The lexicon sources note that this specific usage—ensnaring someone "with a word"—is unique to this passage in the New Testament. The term captures the predatory intent behind their inquiry: they were not curious citizens but hunters looking for a mistake.
The root of the word relates to pagis, meaning a snare or trap. By using this specific verb rather than a general word for "test" or "ask," the Gospel writer highlights the malicious nature of the encounter. The Pharisees sought to entangle Jesus in a political dilemma, hoping that any answer would incriminate him either with the Roman authorities or with the Jewish populace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pagideuō paints a vivid picture of someone setting a snare, much like a hunter waiting for prey to step into a trap. In Matthew 22:15, we see this exact imagery as the Pharisees try to catch Jesus in His words. They were not asking with honest curiosity; they wanted to find a reason to accuse Him. This reminds us that not every question comes from a place of truth or goodwill.
When you face tricky situations or people who seem to be testing your faith, remember that Jesus saw through their traps. He did not fall into their verbal snares because He remained grounded in truth and wisdom. You can trust that God gives you discernment to recognize when someone is trying to ensnare you with harmful words or false premises.
Instead of reacting with anger or fear, look to Jesus’ example. He responded with clarity that exposed the insincerity of His opponents without being drawn into their conflict. This passage encourages you to seek wisdom in your own conversations, knowing that God protects those who walk in integrity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they may trap1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παγιδεύσωσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 22:15
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
This verse uniquely uses pagideuō to describe the Pharisees' malicious intent to catch Jesus in a political dilemma rather than seeking genuine truth.