ἀποκρύπτω

I hide away, conceal

Definition

The verb ἀποκρύπτω means to hide away, conceal, or keep something secret. In the New Testament, it often describes the intentional concealment of physical objects, such as a servant hiding his master's talent in the ground (Matthew 25:18). More significantly, it is used for the divine concealment and subsequent revelation of God's purposes. For example, Jesus thanks the Father for hiding spiritual truths from the wise and revealing them to infants (Matthew 11:25, Luke 10:21). In Paul's writings, it specifically refers to the mystery of God's salvation plan, which was hidden for ages but is now revealed in Christ (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26).

Biblical Usage

ἀποκρύπτω is used six times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels and Pauline epistles. In the Gospels (Matthew 11:25, 25:18; Luke 10:21), it describes both the physical hiding of a talent and God's sovereign act of concealing spiritual understanding. In Paul's letters (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26), the word is used exclusively in a theological sense to describe God's hidden wisdom—the mystery of the gospel—which was once concealed but is now made manifest through Christ and the apostles.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'from' or 'away') and the verb κρύπτω (kryptō, meaning 'to hide' or 'to conceal'). The compound intensifies the sense of hiding something away or concealing it thoroughly. Its root is related to the English word 'crypt.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the theme of divine revelation. It underscores that God's redemptive plan in Christ was a mystery hidden for ages (Ephesians 3:9) but has now been graciously disclosed. This contrasts human wisdom with God's revealed wisdom, emphasizing that spiritual understanding comes not from human insight but from God's revelation (1 Corinthians 2:7). Understanding this term enriches the reading of passages about God's sovereignty in revelation and the once-hidden, now-proclaimed gospel.

In the ancient world, hiding valuables in the ground (as in Matthew 25:18) was a common method of safeguarding wealth due to the lack of secure banking. The concept of divine mysteries being hidden and then revealed resonates with Jewish apocalyptic literature and Greco-Roman mystery religions, though the New Testament uniquely centers this revelation on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

κρύπτω (kryptō, G2928) — a simpler verb meaning 'to hide' or 'conceal,' without the intensive prefix. καλύπτω (kalyptō, G2572) — means 'to cover' or 'veil,' often physically, and is used metaphorically for hiding the heart (2 Corinthians 4:3). λαλέω ἐν μυστηρίῳ (laleō en mystēriō) — a phrase meaning 'to speak in a mystery,' related to the concept of hidden wisdom now revealed (1 Corinthians 2:7).

Word Details

Scripture References