θαρσέω

be of good cheer

Definition

The Greek verb θαρσέω means to be of good courage, to take heart, or to be confident. In the New Testament, it is primarily used by Jesus as a command to dispel fear and inspire faith in the face of distress or danger, as seen when he tells the paralyzed man, 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven' (Matthew 9:2) and when he reassures his disciples during a storm, 'Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid' (Matthew 14:27). The word also carries the sense of receiving comfort and encouragement, as when Jesus tells the woman healed of bleeding, 'Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you' (Matthew 9:22). In John 16:33, Jesus broadens the term to a general exhortation for believers facing tribulation in the world: 'Take heart! I have overcome the world.'

Biblical Usage

θαρσέω is used exclusively in the Gospels and Acts, always in direct address as an imperative command ('take heart' or 'be of good cheer'). Jesus speaks it in seven of its eight occurrences, typically in contexts of healing (Matthew 9:2, 9:22; Mark 10:49; Luke 8:48), fear (Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50), or future tribulation (John 16:33). The sole non-Jesus usage is when the Lord appears to Paul in Acts 23:11, urging him to 'take courage' for his testimony in Rome. This pattern shows the word as a powerful, personal word of reassurance from a figure of authority to someone in need.

Etymology

Derived from the noun θάρσος (tharsos), meaning 'courage' or 'confidence.' It is related to the adjective θρασύς (thrasys), meaning 'bold' or 'daring.' The verb form θαρσέω essentially means 'to act with θάρσος'—to exercise boldness or confidence, often in spite of fearful circumstances. Its meaning remained consistent in Koine Greek, focusing on inner courage rather than mere external cheerfulness.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the divine encouragement offered by Jesus. It moves beyond simple comfort to a call for faith-based courage rooted in Christ's presence and authority. When Jesus says 'take heart,' he often links it to a revelation of his identity (e.g., 'It is I') or his victory ('I have overcome the world'). Understanding θαρσέω enriches reading by highlighting that Christian courage is not a self-generated stoicism but a response to who Jesus is and what he has accomplished. It is a command to replace fear with trust in him.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, courage (andreia) was a key virtue, often associated with military or philosophical bravery. Jesus' use of θαρσέω, however, reorients this concept. He invokes it not for battle or intellectual endurance, but in contexts of personal suffering, sickness, and spiritual anxiety. This shifts the focus from a self-sufficient, heroic ideal to a dependent, relational courage that receives strength from another—specifically, from the Messiah who forgives sins, heals diseases, and calms storms.

παρακαλέω (parakaleō, G3870) — means to exhort, comfort, or encourage; broader in application, often involving verbal counsel, while θαρσέω is a direct command to 'take courage.' θαρρέω (tharreō, G2292) — a near synonym with virtually identical meaning ('to be of good courage'), used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.

Word Details

Scripture References