ἀνακρίνω

I examine, inquire into

Definition

The verb ἀνακρίνω primarily means to examine, inquire into, or investigate thoroughly. In a legal or judicial context, it refers to a formal examination or interrogation, as when Pilate examined Jesus (Luke 23:14) or when Roman authorities questioned the apostles (Acts 4:9; 12:19). In a more general intellectual or spiritual sense, it means to scrutinize or discern, such as when the Bereans examined the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). A distinct, profound usage appears in 1 Corinthians, where it describes the spiritual person's ability to 'examine' or 'discern' all things, which the natural person cannot do (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).

Biblical Usage

ἀνακρίνω is used 14 times in the New Testament, predominantly in Luke-Acts and Paul's letters. In Luke and Acts, it consistently describes official legal inquiries or investigations by governing authorities (e.g., Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 12:19; 24:8; 28:18). Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians to shift the context from legal examination to spiritual discernment, contrasting the natural person who cannot understand spiritual truths with the spiritual person who can 'examine' or 'appraise' all things (1 Corinthians 2:14-15). This creates a pattern of usage moving from external, judicial scrutiny to internal, spiritual evaluation.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀνά (ana, often meaning 'up' or 'again') and the verb κρίνω (krinō, G2919), meaning 'to judge, decide, or separate.' Thus, ἀνακρίνω carries the sense of 'to judge up' or 'to judge throughout'—implying a thorough, careful process of examination, sifting, or investigation. It intensifies the basic idea of κρίνω to emphasize a detailed inquiry.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges human judgment and divine discernment. In its judicial use, it highlights God's people being examined by worldly authorities. In 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, it becomes central to Paul's anthropology and pneumatology, describing the critical capacity granted by the Holy Spirit. The 'spiritual person' (πνευματικός) can 'examine' (ἀνακρίνω) all things because they have the mind of Christ, while the 'natural person' (ψυχικός) cannot. This enriches reading by showing that true spiritual understanding is not merely intellectual but a gift of discernment that comes from God.

In the Greco-Roman world, ἀνακρίνω was a technical term for a preliminary legal examination or investigation, often before a formal trial. This aligns perfectly with its use in the Gospels and Acts, where Jesus and the apostles face Roman and Jewish legal proceedings. Understanding this context clarifies that these were not casual conversations but official interrogations with serious consequences.

κρίνω (krinō, G2919) — a broader term for judging, deciding, or condemning, without the specific connotation of thorough investigation. δοκιμάζω (dokimazō, G1381) — means to test, prove, or approve, often with a positive sense of proving genuineness, whereas ἀνακρίνω is more neutral inquiry. ἐξετάζω (exetazō, G1833) — also means to examine or inquire carefully, very close in meaning but used less frequently in the NT.

Word Details

Scripture References