αἴρω

I raise, lift up

Definition

The verb αἴρω has a core meaning of 'to lift up' or 'to raise,' but its usage in the New Testament extends to several related senses. It can literally mean to physically lift an object, as when Jesus tells a paralyzed man to 'take up your bed and walk' (Matthew 9:6). It also frequently means 'to take away' or 'remove,' most famously in John the Baptist's declaration about Jesus: 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' (John 1:29). In other contexts, it carries the sense of 'to bear' or 'carry,' as when Jesus invites the weary to take his yoke upon them (Matthew 11:29).

Biblical Usage

αἴρω is used 97 times across the New Testament, appearing in all four Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. In the Gospels, it is often used in narratives of healing and miracles (e.g., taking up a mat, Matthew 9:6) and in teachings about removal or bearing burdens (Matthew 11:29, 13:12). John's Gospel uses it theologically for the removal of sin (John 1:29). In Acts and the Epistles, it appears in more literal contexts of carrying or removing objects (e.g., Acts 8:33, 1 Corinthians 6:15).

Etymology

The word αἴρω is a primary verb in ancient Greek. It is related to the noun αἰρόμενον (something lifted) and shares a root with other words involving lifting or raising. Its fundamental meaning of 'to lift' remained consistent, but in Koine Greek, it naturally expanded to include the consequences of lifting: taking up, carrying away, or removing something.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant, especially in John's Gospel where it describes Jesus's mission to 'take away' the sin of the world (John 1:29). This frames Christ's work as an active removal of the burden of sin. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus uses the related sense of 'take up' my yoke, contrasting the heavy burdens of legalism with the light burden of discipleship. Understanding these nuances enriches the reader's view of Christ as both the sin-bearer and the gentle guide.

In the cultural context, 'taking up' one's bed or mat (Matthew 9:6) was a visible, public act of claiming one's healing and defying previous incapacity. The imagery of 'bearing' a yoke (Matthew 11:29) would be immediately understood in an agrarian society, where a well-fitted yoke allowed an animal to bear a load effectively, contrasting with harsh, ill-fitting burdens.

λαμβάνω (lambanō, G2983) — emphasizes receiving or taking hold of, less focused on the lifting motion. βαστάζω (bastazō, G941) — emphasizes the bearing or carrying of a weight or burden. αἴρω can involve the initial act of lifting before carrying.

Word Details

Scripture References