ἐπιγινώσκω
epiginōskō
to come to know
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginōskō) means "to come to know." Based on its occurrences in 44 instances throughout the Bible, this verb is used to describe a range of cognitive experiences, from gaining understanding and insight to encountering someone for the first time. While the precise nature of the knowledge gained is not specified in the definition, its frequency of use and semantic domain placement in cognition and perception suggest that it encompasses various types of awareness and understanding. The word is not limited to mere perception, but also involves a level of cognitive processing or recognition. As a central cognitive verb, ἐπιγινώσκω is significant in the biblical narrative as a means of describing human encounters and experiences. It helps convey the complexity and richness of human engagement with the world and other people.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
44 total occurrences across the text
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 11:27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Matthew 11:27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Matthew 14:35When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick;
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
Mark 2:8Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts?
Mark 5:30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
Mark 6:33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.
Mark 6:54When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,
Luke 1:4that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
Luke 1:22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
Luke 5:22But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
Luke 7:37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Luke 23:7When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
Luke 24:16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
Luke 24:31Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, then he vanished out of their sight.
Acts 3:10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 4:13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 9:30When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
Acts 12:14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
Acts 19:34But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 22:24the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.
Acts 22:29Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.
Acts 23:28Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
Acts 24:8By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
Acts 24:11seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Acts 25:10But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.
Acts 27:39When it was day, they didn’t recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.
Acts 28:1When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta.
Romans 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
1 Corinthians 14:37If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 16:18For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that.
2 Corinthians 1:13For we write no other things to you than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end,
2 Corinthians 1:13For we write no other things to you than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end,
2 Corinthians 1:14as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 6:9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;
2 Corinthians 13:5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Colossians 1:6which has come to you, even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth,
1 Timothy 4:3forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
2 Peter 2:21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
2 Peter 2:21For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.