φυλακίζω (phulakizō)
phulakizō
to imprison
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb phulakizō means to place someone in custody or to imprison them. In the New Testament, it is used sparingly, appearing only once in Acts 22:19.
This single occurrence records Paul’s recounting of his conversion experience, where he describes being commanded by the Lord Jesus to leave Jerusalem and not return. The word emphasizes the act of confinement itself, distinguishing the physical state of being held from the broader concept of guarding or watching over something.
Its root relates to the noun for prison or guard, highlighting the legal or authoritative nature of the detention rather than just a general sense of keeping watch. Translators typically render it simply as "imprison" or "commit to prison," reflecting its straightforward, concrete meaning in this context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word φυλακίζω (phulakizō) appears only once in the New Testament, found in Acts 22:19. Here, Paul recounts his past life before meeting Christ, describing how he actively imprisoned believers. This single usage highlights the severe physical confinement and legal authority used to suppress the early church.
For your faith, this word serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship. It shows that standing for Jesus often involves real-world consequences, including loss of freedom or safety. Yet, Paul’s story does not end in prison; it leads to his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles.
When you face opposition or feel confined by circumstances, remember that God can use even restrictive situations for His greater purpose. Your current struggles do not define your final destination in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- imprisoning1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φυλακίζων1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 22:19
I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.
This verse uniquely uses the term to describe Paul’s pre-conversion actions, showing he was the agent of imprisonment rather than its victim at that time.