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ἀποκρίνομαι

apokrínomai

G611 verb

SILEX Entry

Root κριν- to reply, to answer, to distinguish (in context of response)

Definition

To give a response, reply, or answer—whether to a question, statement, or situation; to respond verbally or in writing. In Hellenistic and Biblical Greek, especially in narrative or dialogical settings, it often denotes replying to someone but can, through Hebraic influence, refer generally to giving a spoken response, sometimes formulaically marking someone’s turn to speak in a dialogue, even if no prior question is recorded. Secondary senses include making a legal defense or formal reply, but its core function remains 'to answer.'

Semantic Range

to answer, to reply, to respond verbally, to make a defense, to begin a reply in narrative

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἀπό ('from') and the verb κρίνω ('to judge, to distinguish, to select'), thus literally 'to separate off an answer, to reply.' The middle-passive form ἀποκρίνομαι is standard in Koine for the meaning 'to answer.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀποκρίνομαι is attested from the 5th century BCE, with the sense of 'to separate, decide, reply to.' By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, it becomes a common verb specifically for 'to answer' or 'to reply' in dialogue. In the Septuagint and New Testament, its frequency and usage reflect Semitic narrative conventions—mirroring the Hebrew verb עָנָה ('to answer, to respond'). Often in biblical narrative, ἀποκρίνομαι introduces speech even when no direct question prompts it, indicating simply the start of an utterance or reply (a construction influenced by Hebrew storytelling). Standard English translations render it almost always as 'answer' or 'reply,' but do not typically reflect its idiomatic narrative function or formulaic transition role in Semitic narrative. In legal or judicial settings, it can refer to the formal act of giving an answer or defense, though in most contexts, it is simply 'to answer' in dialogue.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.

Root Family

ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai) — to reply, to answer, to distinguish in response

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G611-10 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG answering having answered 96
G611-02 ἀπεκρίθη apekrithe V AOR PASS IND 3P SG answered he/she replied 82
G611-05 ἀπεκρίθησαν apekrithesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL answered they replied 19
G611-01 ἀπεκρίνατο apekrinato V AOR MID IND 3P SG answered answered 7
G611-14 ἀποκριθέντες apokrithentes V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M PL answering having answered 7
G611-06 ἀποκρίνῃ apokrine V PRS MID IND 2P SG answer you answer 4
G611-08 ἀποκρίνεται apokrinetai V PRS MID IND 3P SG answers answers 3
G611-17 ἀποκρίθητέ apokrithete V AOR PASS IMP 2P PL Answer Reply! 3
G611-16 ἀποκριθήσονται apokrithesontai V FUT PASS IND 3P PL they will answer 2
G611-03 ἀπεκρίθην apekrithen V AOR PASS IND 1P SG answered I answered 2

Occurrences in Scripture

233 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G611-10 Matthew 3:15 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 4:4 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 8:8 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 11:4 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 11:25 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-05 Matthew 12:38 ἀπεκρίθησαν apekrithesan V AOR PASS IND 3P PL they replied
G611-10 Matthew 12:39 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 12:48 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 13:11 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
G611-10 Matthew 13:37 ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG having answered
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