πτοέω (ptoeō)
ptoeō
to frighten
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ptoeō describes a sudden, intense reaction to fear, meaning to be terrified or struck with panic. It conveys more than simple worry; it captures a state of shock where one is overwhelmed by dread. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the Gospel of Luke, highlighting moments of profound spiritual or physical alarm.
In Luke 21:9, Jesus uses the active form to warn his followers that they will be terrified by wars and uprisings before the end comes. Later, in Luke 24:37, the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, who are so startled by his sudden presence that they believe they are seeing a ghost. The text explicitly states they were "terrified" (ptoeō), illustrating how the word marks a visceral, bodily response to the unexpected.
Etymologically, ptoeō is likely related to words suggesting a collapse or flight, emphasizing the physical impact of fear. Translators often render it as "terrified" or "alarmed," preserving the intensity of the original Greek. This usage distinguishes it from milder terms for anxiety, pointing instead to a momentary loss of composure in the face of something overwhelming.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ptoeō captures a sudden, overwhelming shock that leaves us breathless. When Jesus warned his followers about wars and disturbances in Luke 21:9, He used this term to describe the intense alarm people feel when the world seems to fall apart. It is a visceral reaction, one that bypasses calm reasoning and strikes deep into our sense of safety.
We see this same raw human response in Luke 24:37, where the disciples were terrified upon seeing the resurrected Jesus. Their fear was so strong they thought they were seeing a ghost. This shows that even those closest to Christ experienced moments of profound disorientation when faced with the unexpected.
Understanding this word helps us see that fear is a natural human response to the unknown. It does not mean a lack of faith, but rather a momentary loss of composure. In these moments, we can remember that God meets us in our shock and offers peace that steadies the trembling heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may be terrified;1×
- Having been terrified1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πτοηθῆτε·1×
- πτοηθέντες1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 21:9
When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”
Jesus uses this word to describe the intense alarm believers will feel during times of global upheaval, warning them not to be panicked by such events.
-
Luke 24:37
But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
This verse shows the disciples' visceral reaction to the resurrected Jesus, where their shock was so great they mistook His physical presence for a ghost.