ὑπάγω (hupagō)
hupagō
to go
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 77 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupagō means to go away, depart, or withdraw. It is a common word in everyday speech, appearing frequently in the Gospels and John’s writings. While it literally means "to lead under," its biblical usage focuses on movement away from a place or person. Jesus uses it often when sending people off or describing His own departure, such as telling the demon-possessed man to go home (Mark 5:19) or announcing that He is going to the Father (John 14:28).
A key distinction lies in how John contrasts hupagō with erchomai ("to come"). In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of going away while others come to Him, highlighting a separation in mission and presence. The word also carries a gentle tone, sometimes serving as a euphemism for death, as when the chief priests plot to put Jesus to death (Matthew 26:24). Translators usually render it simply as "go" or "depart," capturing its straightforward sense of leaving.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word hupagō simply means to go away or depart. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this common verb frequently when sending people on their way or describing His own movement toward the Father. It is not a complex theological term but a practical one, marking transitions in daily life and mission.
For your faith, this word reminds us that leaving is often part of God’s plan. When Jesus told the healed demon-possessed man to go home (Mark 5:19), He was sending him back to his community with a new story to share. Similarly, when He instructed Peter to go and reconcile with his brother (Matthew 18:15), He showed that going can be an act of restoration.
Even in moments of sorrow, such as Jesus’ departure for the cross, hupagō carries a sense of purposeful movement rather than defeat. It invites us to trust that where we are sent, however difficult the journey, is within God’s care and direction.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 77 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do go28×
- do go,6×
- going3×
- goes3×
- go3×
- I go3×
- I am going3×
- do go.2×
- you are going1×
- were going away1×
- to go.1×
- to go away?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὕπαγε18×
- ὑπάγετε11×
- ὑπάγω10×
- ὕπαγε,6×
- ὑπάγει4×
- ὑπάγω,3×
- ὑπάγει.3×
- ὑπάγει,3×
- ὑπάγεις;2×
- ὑπάγεις2×
- ὑπάγειν2×
- ὕπαγε.1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:19
He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you.”
Jesus sends the healed man back to his friends to share what God has done, showing that departure can be a mission field.
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Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
The command to go privately to a sinning brother highlights how going is essential for reconciliation and church discipline.
-
Matthew 26:24
The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
The betrayal of Jesus is described using this verb, linking the act of going away with the tragic fulfillment of Scripture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hupagō mean in the Bible?
How is hupagō different from erchomai?
Why does Jesus use hupagō so often?
Every Occurrence (77 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 19 verses
Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall…
Matthew 5:24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer…
Matthew 5:41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 8:4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses…
Matthew 8:13Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
Matthew 8:32He said to them, “Go!” They came out and went into the herd of pigs; and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the…
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 13:44“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and…
Matthew 16:23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your…
Matthew 18:15“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have…
Matthew 19:21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure…
Matthew 20:4He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.
Matthew 20:7“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will…
Matthew 20:14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
Matthew 21:28But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
Matthew 26:18He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the…
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…
Matthew 27:65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
Matthew 28:10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will…