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χολάω (cholaō)

cholaō

be angry

G5520 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb cholaō describes a state of anger or rage, derived from the noun for gall or bile (cholē). In classical Greek, it could refer to melancholy or madness, but in the New Testament, it carries the specific meaning of being angry or enraged. This usage aligns with the Old Testament Greek tradition where the word appears in texts like 3 Maccabees.

Scripture records this action only once, in John 7:23, where Jesus addresses the crowd’s reaction to His healing on the Sabbath. He points out their anger toward Him for performing a good work on a holy day. The construction typically takes a dative case to indicate the person with whom one is angry.

While rare in the New Testament, this word highlights the intensity of emotional response Jesus encountered. It serves as a reminder of the friction that can arise when divine actions challenge established human traditions.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek word cholaō captures a deep, simmering anger that rises like bile in the body. It is not a fleeting annoyance but a heated response often rooted in perceived injustice or broken rules. When we encounter this term, we see how rigid adherence to tradition can harden into hostility against someone who brings healing.

In John 7:23, Jesus uses this word to highlight the irony of His critics. They were furious with Him for restoring a man’s health on the Sabbath, even though they themselves performed circumcision on that same day to keep their laws intact. This reveals how our own standards can blind us to the good work God is doing right in front of us.

Reflecting on this helps us examine our own hearts. Do we react with irritation when others challenge our routines? Or do we find joy in seeing people made whole, regardless of the day or the method? Let this word remind you to check your motives and choose compassion over complaint.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • are you angry1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • χολᾶτε1×

Key Verses

  • John 7:23
    If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath?

    This is the only New Testament occurrence, where Jesus uses the word to expose the crowd's irrational anger toward His act of healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does cholaō mean in the Bible?

Cholaō means to be angry or enraged. It is derived from a word for bile, suggesting a hot, bitter emotional state. In Scripture, it describes intense hostility rather than mild irritation.

Where does this word appear in the New Testament?

It appears only once, in John 7:23. Jesus uses it to describe the anger of the Jewish leaders toward Him for healing a man on the Sabbath.

How is cholaō different from other words for anger?

While orgizomai (G3710) often implies righteous indignation, cholaō carries a sense of bitter resentment. Its root relates to bile, emphasizing the physical and visceral nature of the rage.

Why is Jesus angry in John 7:23?

Jesus is not angry here; He is questioning the crowd. He points out that they are cholaō (angry) with Him for doing good, while they break their own laws to perform circumcision on the Sabbath.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

John 1 verse
John 7:23

If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I…