ἐξάγω

I lead out

Definition

The verb ἐξάγω means 'I lead out' or 'I bring out.' It primarily describes the action of guiding or conducting someone or something from an interior or confined space to an exterior or open one. In the New Testament, this can refer to a shepherd leading sheep from a fold (John 10:3), Jesus being led out to crucifixion (Mark 15:20), or an angel leading prisoners from jail (Acts 5:19). Its most theologically significant use is in Stephen's speech, where it describes God leading the Israelites out of Egypt (Acts 7:36, 40), echoing the language of the Exodus.

Biblical Usage

ἐξάγω is used 13 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels, Acts, and once in Hebrews (implied in a quote). In the Gospels, it often has a literal, physical sense of leading someone out from one place to another (e.g., Mark 8:23, Luke 24:50). In Acts, its usage expands to include miraculous deliverance (Acts 5:19, 12:17) and, most prominently, the historical Exodus event (Acts 7:36, 40). This creates a pattern where the word bridges everyday actions and God's mighty acts of salvation.

Etymology

The word is a compound verb formed from the preposition ἐξ (ex, meaning 'out of') and the common verb ἄγω (agō, meaning 'I lead' or 'I bring'). Its construction is straightforward, literally meaning 'to lead out.' It is related to other compounds like εἰσάγω (eisagō, 'I lead in') and συνάγω (synagō, 'I gather together').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant because it is directly tied to the concept of deliverance and exodus. When used in Acts 7 to describe God leading Israel from Egypt, it connects the Old Testament narrative of salvation to the New Testament message. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how the early church saw Jesus' work and the Christian life as a new kind of 'leading out' from bondage into freedom.

In a cultural context, 'leading out' often implied a change of state or jurisdiction. For example, leading a prisoner out (Mark 15:20) meant from custody to execution. A shepherd leading sheep out (John 10:3) signaled moving from the safety of the fold to pasture, requiring trust in the shepherd's guidance. The Exodus reference would have immediately resonated with Jewish listeners as the foundational story of their national identity and God's saving power.

ἄγω (agō, G71) — The simpler root meaning 'I lead,' without the specific directional emphasis of 'out.' | ἐκφέρω (ekpherō, G1627) — Means 'I carry out,' often used for bringing out a body for burial, focusing more on bearing than guiding.

Word Details

Scripture References