ὑποστρέφω (hupostrephō)
hupostrephō
to return
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb hupostrephō describes the physical act of turning back or returning to a previous place. Its structure combines a prefix meaning "under" with a root meaning "to turn," creating an image of reversing direction. In the New Testament, it appears most frequently in Luke and Acts, where it tracks the movements of Jesus, his disciples, and early believers as they travel between cities like Nazareth, Capernaum, and Jerusalem.
While often translated simply as "return," the word carries a sense of deliberate reorientation. It is not merely moving backward but completing a circuit or resuming a path. This nuance appears when Jesus returns to Nazareth after his baptism (Luke 4:16) or when the disciples come back from their missionary journey (Acts 14:21). The verb captures both the physical journey and the relational restoration that often accompanies it, such as the leper returning to give thanks (Luke 17:15).
Translators typically render hupostrephō as "return" or "come back," distinguishing it from words that imply permanent settlement. Its heavy usage in Luke highlights the narrative rhythm of departure and homecoming that defines much of the Gospel’s structure. By focusing on this movement, the text emphasizes the continuity between Jesus’ ministry and the ongoing mission of the church.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hupostrephō describes a deliberate return, often completing a journey or resuming a path rather than just moving backward. In Luke’s Gospel, this term tracks the movements of Jesus and his followers as they travel between cities, highlighting a rhythm of departure and homecoming. This pattern reminds us that our spiritual lives are not static; we move out in faith and return with new understanding.
When the healed leper turned back to give thanks (Luke 17:15), it was an act of relational restoration as much as physical movement. Similarly, Mary returning home after visiting Elizabeth (Luke 1:56) or the disciples coming back from their mission (Acts 14:21) shows that returning is part of God’s design for community and witness. Your own moments of coming back to faith or returning to a place of peace are significant steps in your journey.
Whether you are starting a new chapter or returning to an old one, this word encourages you to see movement as purposeful. The text emphasizes continuity between Jesus’ ministry and the ongoing mission of the church. You can trust that every step, whether forward or back, is held within God’s care and leads toward restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- returned8×
- they returned5×
- having returned5×
- returning3×
- to return2×
- were travelling back1×
- were returning [home].1×
- turned back.1×
- turned back1×
- to return.1×
- to have turned1×
- he returned1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπέστρεψαν9×
- ὑπέστρεψεν5×
- ὑποστρέφειν4×
- ὑποστρέψαντες3×
- ὑποστρέψασαι2×
- Ὑπέστρεψαν1×
- ὑπόστρεφε1×
- ὑπέστρεψεν.1×
- ὑπέστρεψα1×
- ὑπέστρεφον.¶1×
- ὑπέστρεφον1×
- ὑποστρέψω1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 17:15
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
This verse highlights the relational aspect of returning, as the healed leper turns back specifically to give glory to God.
-
Luke 1:56
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Mary’s return home illustrates how this word marks the completion of a significant visit and the resumption of daily life with renewed purpose.
-
Acts 12:25
Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.
Barnabas and Saul’s return to Jerusalem shows how missionary work involves both going out and coming back to report on God’s faithfulness.
-
Luke 4:14
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Jesus returning in the power of the Spirit into Galilee demonstrates that this movement is driven by divine purpose rather than mere physical travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hupostrephō mean in the New Testament?
How is hupostrephō different from other words for returning?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (35 verses across 5 books)
Luke 21 verses
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Luke 2:20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was…
Luke 2:43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his…
Luke 2:45When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
Luke 4:1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
Luke 4:14Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Luke 7:10Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
Luke 8:37All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much…
Luke 8:39“Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you.” He went his way, proclaiming throughout the…
Luke 8:40When Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.
Luke 9:10The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them and withdrew apart to a desert…
Luke 10:17The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Luke 11:24The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he…
Luke 17:15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
Luke 17:18Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
Luke 19:12He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
Luke 23:48All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their…
Luke 23:56They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 24:9returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke 24:33They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with…
Luke 24:52They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,