σῴζω (sōzō)
sōzō
to save
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 102 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sōzō carries a broad meaning of rescue, covering everything from physical healing to ultimate spiritual deliverance. Its root relates to being "safe" or "sound," which explains why it applies so naturally to both bodily restoration and eternal preservation. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this word in diverse contexts: he heals a paralytic and declares that his faith has "made you well" (Mark 5:34), yet he also speaks of saving one’s soul from destruction (Matthew 16:25).
This flexibility allows the New Testament to describe salvation as a process with past, present, and future dimensions. Paul notes that believers were saved by grace in the past (Ephesians 2:8), are being saved through daily faithfulness in the present (1 Corinthians 1:18), and will be saved from final judgment in the future (Romans 13:11). The word thus bridges the immediate relief of a miracle with the enduring hope of redemption.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word sōzō carries a rich breadth of meaning, covering everything from physical healing to ultimate spiritual deliverance. Its root relates to being safe or sound, which explains why it applies naturally to both bodily restoration and eternal preservation. When you see this word in the Gospels, it often bridges the immediate relief of a miracle with the enduring hope of redemption.
Salvation is not just a single event but a process with past, present, and future dimensions. Believers were saved by grace in the past, are being saved through daily faithfulness in the present, and will be saved from final judgment in the future. This flexibility allows the New Testament to describe salvation as a comprehensive work of God that touches every part of our lives.
Whether you are facing physical illness or spiritual doubt, this word reminds you that Jesus is fully able to save. He heals the broken and preserves the faithful. Trust in His power to make you whole, knowing that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 102 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to save10×
- do save8×
- will save5×
- to be saved5×
- will be saved.4×
- will be saved4×
- to save,4×
- has healed4×
- being saved4×
- to be saved?3×
- He saved,3×
- you will save?2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σῶσαι8×
- σέσωκέν7×
- σώσει6×
- σῶσον5×
- σωθῆναι5×
- ἐσώθη4×
- σῶσαι,4×
- σωθήσεται.4×
- σωθήσεται4×
- ἔσωσεν,3×
- σωθῆναι;3×
- σωθῇ3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 1:21
She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
This verse defines the core mission of Jesus by linking His name directly to saving people from their sins, establishing the spiritual foundation for all other uses of the word.
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Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Here sōzō connects physical healing with spiritual peace, showing that faith brings wholeness to both body and soul simultaneously.
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Matthew 16:25
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Jesus uses the word paradoxically to teach that true life is found only by surrendering one's own interests for His sake.
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Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.
This occurrence reinforces the cost of discipleship, contrasting worldly self-preservation with eternal gain through sacrifice.
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Matthew 27:42
“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
The taunt at the cross highlights the irony that Jesus could physically save others yet chose not to save Himself, fulfilling His mission of substitutionary love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word sōzō mean?
How is sōzō different from other words for save?
Where does sōzō appear most often?
Does sōzō only mean spiritual salvation?
Every Occurrence (102 verses across 19 books)
Matthew 14 verses
She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 8:25The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
Matthew 9:21for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Matthew 9:22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was…
Matthew 10:22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 14:30But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 16:25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 18:11For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
Matthew 19:25When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
Matthew 24:13But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days…
Matthew 27:40and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down…
Matthew 27:42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we…
Matthew 27:49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”