ἐκπηδάω (ekpēdaō)
ekpēdaō
to rush out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekpēdaō describes a sudden, energetic movement outward, literally meaning to spring or rush out. It conveys a sense of urgency and physical exertion, capturing the moment when someone bursts from a confined space into a crowd. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 14:14, where it depicts the dramatic reaction of Paul and Barnabas upon hearing that the people of Lystra intended to sacrifice to them as gods.
The imagery is vivid and immediate. Rather than stepping calmly into the assembly, the apostles "tore their clothes" and rushed out into the multitude to stop the ritual. This single usage highlights the word’s intensity; it is not a casual exit but a forceful intervention driven by religious conviction and shock. The action underscores the stark contrast between the divine nature of the apostles and the pagan misunderstanding of their identity.
While rare in Scripture, the term effectively communicates the physicality of spiritual urgency. It reminds readers that faith sometimes requires immediate, visible action to correct grave errors. The word’s brevity and force make it a memorable marker of a pivotal moment in early Christian history, where words alone were insufficient to halt a misunderstanding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekpēdaō captures a moment of sudden, urgent action. In Acts 14:14, Paul and Barnabas did not wait for a calm discussion when the crowd in Lystra prepared to sacrifice to them as gods. Instead, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd to stop the ritual. This physical response shows that some spiritual errors require immediate intervention, not just polite disagreement.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that truth sometimes demands visible courage. It is not always about gentle persuasion; sometimes it is about standing firmly against misunderstanding with urgency. The apostles acted out of love for the people and loyalty to God, showing that our convictions should move us to act when silence would cause harm.
May this example encourage you to respond to what matters most with clarity and speed. When you see truth being distorted, let your actions reflect your commitment to God’s glory, trusting Him to guide your steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rushed out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξεπήδησαν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 14:14
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
This verse shows the word describing the apostles' urgent physical movement into the crowd to stop a pagan sacrifice, highlighting the intensity of their spiritual conviction.