φήμη (phēmē)
phēmē
news
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun phēmē refers to a report or circulating news, describing information that spreads through public conversation rather than official channels. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, yet each instance captures a specific moment where rumor shapes perception. Matthew 9:26 notes how the report about Jesus’ power spread throughout that region, while Luke 4:14 describes how His fame went out through all the surrounding country.
Etymologically, the word derives from the verb phēmi, meaning "to say" or "to speak." This root connection highlights that phēmē is essentially spoken content — what people are saying about a person or event. It carries no inherent judgment of truth or falsehood; it simply denotes the existence of a widespread account. Translators often render it as "fame" or "report," depending on whether the context emphasizes reputation or mere information.
The scarcity of this word in Scripture makes its usage notable. When Matthew and Luke employ phēmē, they focus on the social ripple effect of Jesus’ ministry — how news travels from mouth to ear, reaching communities before formal teaching does. This reflects the oral culture of the first century, where reputation was built through shared stories and personal testimonies rather than written records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word phēmē describes the natural way information moves among people. It is not an official decree or a printed statement, but rather the spoken accounts that travel from neighbor to neighbor. In the first century, this oral network was the primary means by which communities learned about events happening nearby. When Jesus performed miracles or taught in new towns, this kind of news spread quickly through personal conversation.
For your faith, this reminds us that our lives also create a 'report' around us. The way we treat others and share kindness generates stories that people talk about. We do not need to seek attention for ourselves; instead, we can trust that faithful living speaks for itself. Just as the news of Jesus’ power reached Galilee through simple word of mouth, your quiet integrity may reach hearts you never expect.
This gentle spread of truth shows that God often works through ordinary human connections. You do not need a loud platform to make an impact. Your daily actions contribute to the narrative others tell about you. May your life be one that brings hope and clarity to those who hear about you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- report1×
- a report1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φήμη2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 9:26
The report of this went out into all that land.
This verse shows how a specific miracle created immediate local awareness, highlighting the speed of oral transmission in tight-knit communities.
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Luke 4:14
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Here the term describes the broader regional impact of Jesus’ ministry, illustrating how his growing influence moved beyond a single town to the surrounding countryside.