ἀγγέλλω (angellō)
angellō
to report
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb angellō means to announce or report information, carrying the literal sense of delivering a message from one person to another. It is the verbal form of angelos, which simply means "messenger." In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the Gospel of John, highlighting its specific narrative function rather than broad theological usage.
In John 4:51 and 20:18, the word describes the act of bringing news. When the official’s servants return home, he learns from them that his son lived; the text notes they angellō him the good news. Similarly, Mary Magdalene comes to the disciples to angellō them that she has seen the Lord. The focus is strictly on the transmission of a factual report, without the later theological weight of "proclaiming the gospel" found in other Greek verbs.
Because it occurs so rarely, angellō does not develop a complex range of meanings. It serves as a straightforward term for reporting news, often used in contexts where a messenger delivers a decisive update that changes the situation for the recipient. Translators typically render it as "tell," "report," or "announce," depending on the flow of the sentence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word angellō simply means to report or tell someone what has happened. It is the everyday act of passing on news from one person to another. In John 20:18, Mary Magdalene runs to the disciples to share what she saw. She does not offer a long sermon; she just tells them the facts. This shows that sharing good news can be as simple as speaking the truth about what you have experienced.
When you receive unexpected updates in your life, they often change your whole day. The disciples’ fear turned to hope because someone took the time to report the reality of the resurrection. You do not need special words to share faith. A honest account of God’s work in your life is enough. Let your reports bring encouragement to those who are waiting for news.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- reporting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀγγέλλουσα1×
Key Verses
-
John 20:18
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
Mary Magdalene uses this word to report the factual reality of seeing the risen Lord, shifting the disciples from fear to hope.