διώκωdiṓkō
compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
Greek (New Testament) · G1377
Meanings
1. to put to flight, drive away: Matthew 23:34.
2. to pursue
(a) of persons; with acc, without hostility, to follow after: Luke 17:23; with hostile purpose: Acts 26:11, Revelation 12:13. Hence, to persecute: Matthew 5:10-12, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 10:23, Luke 11:49, Luke 21:12, John 5:16, John 15:20, Acts 7:52, Acts 9:4, Acts 9:5, Acts 22:4, Acts 22:7, Acts 22:8, Acts 26:14, Acts 26:15, Romans 12:14, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:9, 2 Corinthians 4:9, Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23, Galatians 4:29, Galatians 5:11, Galatians 6:12, Philippians 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:12
(b) metaphorically, with acc rei, of seeking eagerly after: Romans 9:30, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22; νόμον δικαιοσύνης, Romans 9:31; τ. φιλοξενίαν, Romans 12:13; εἰρήνην, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11; τὰ τῆς εἰ., Romans 14:19; τ. ἀγάπην, 1 Corinthians 14:1; τὸ ἀγαθόν, 1 Thessalonians 5:15; absolutely, to follow on, drive, or speed on (Æsch.), Philippians 3:12, Philippians 3:14.
Same root
- διάκονοςdiákonos · G1249an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess)
- διωγμόςdiōgmós · G1375persecution
- διώκτηςdiṓktēs · G1376a persecutor
- καταδιώκωkatadiṓkō · G2614to hunt down, i.e. search for
- ἐκδιώκωekdiṓkō · G1559to pursue out, i.e. expel or persecute implacably
Where it appears
Appears 45 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 5:10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
- Matthew 5:11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
- Matthew 5:12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
- Matthew 5:44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
- Matthew 10:23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
- Matthew 23:34 “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city.
See every passage
- Matthew 5:10, 5:11, 5:12, 5:44, 10:23, 23:34
- Luke 11:49, 17:23, 21:12
- John 5:16, 15:20
- Acts 7:52, 9:4, 9:5, 22:4, 22:7, 22:8, 26:11, 26:14, 26:15
- Romans 9:30, 9:31, 12:13, 12:14, 14:19
- 1 Corinthians 4:12, 14:1, 15:9
- 2 Corinthians 4:9
- Galatians 1:13, 1:23, 4:29, 5:11, 6:12
- Philippians 3:6, 3:12, 3:14
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
- 1 Timothy 6:11
- 2 Timothy 2:22, 3:12
- Hebrews 12:14
- 1 Peter 3:11
- Revelation 12:13
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.