κηρύσσω

I proclaim, herald, preach

Definition

κηρύσσω means to proclaim or herald a message publicly, often with authority. In the New Testament, it primarily refers to announcing the gospel of the kingdom of God, as Jesus does in Matthew 4:17 and the apostles in Matthew 10:7. It can also denote proclaiming a specific message of repentance (Mark 1:4) or judgment (Matthew 3:1-2). The word implies urgency and official declaration, not merely casual sharing.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used 59 times, predominantly in the Gospels and Acts, where it describes the public proclamation of Jesus and his followers. It often appears in summaries of Jesus' ministry (e.g., Matthew 4:23, 9:35) and in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). Paul uses it for his missionary preaching (Romans 10:14-15). The pattern is consistently authoritative, public announcement of divine truth.

Etymology

Derived from κῆρυξ (kēryx, G2783), meaning 'herald' or 'public messenger.' In ancient Greek, a κῆρυx was an official who made proclamations on behalf of a ruler. The verb κηρύσσω thus carries the sense of acting as an authorized messenger, declaring news with solemnity and urgency.

Semantic Range

This word is central to the biblical concept of preaching. It underscores that gospel proclamation is not human opinion but an authoritative announcement of God's kingdom and salvation through Christ. Understanding its heraldic nuance enriches reading by emphasizing the urgency and divine authority behind calls to repentance and faith, as seen in apostolic ministry (Acts 28:31).

In the Greco-Roman world, heralds were official figures who proclaimed royal decrees or public news in cities. Their messages demanded attention and compliance. κηρύσσω would evoke this image, contrasting with modern informal 'sharing.' Biblical usage invests this cultural role with divine authority, as messengers of God's kingdom.

εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō, G2097) — focuses on announcing good news specifically; λαλέω (laleō, G2980) — a broader term for speaking or talking, less formal; καταγγέλλω (katangellō, G2605) — emphasizes proclaiming or declaring thoroughly, often in teaching contexts.

Word Details

Scripture References