Lexical Summary theóreó: to behold, to observe, to look at, to perceive Original Word: θεωρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance behold, consider, look onFrom a derivative of theaomai (perhaps by addition of horao); to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge)) -- behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare optanomai. see GREEK theaomai see GREEK horao see GREEK optanomai HELPS Word-studies 2334 theōréō (from 2300 /theáomai, "to gaze, contemplate") – gaze on for the purpose of analyzing (discriminating). [2334 (theōréō) is the root of the English term "theatre," i.e. where people concentrate on the meaning of an action (performance).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom theóros (an envoy, spectator) Definition to look at, gaze NASB Translation beholds (1), look (1), looking (5), observe (3), observed (4), observing (3), perceive (2), saw (8), see (16), seeing (2), seen (1), sees (4), watched (1), watching (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2334: θεωρέωθεωρέω, θεωρῶ; imperfect ἐθεώρουν; (future θεωρήσω, John 7:3 T Tr WH); 1 aorist ἐθεώρησα; (θεωρός a spectator, and this from θεάομαι, which see (cf. Vanicek, p. 407; Liddell and Scott, under the word; Allen in the American Journ. of Philol. i., p. 131f)); (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down); the Sept. for רָאָה and Chaldean חָזָה; 1. to he a spectator, look at, behold, German schauen (the θεωροι were men who attended the games or the sacrifices as public deputies; cf. Grimm on 2 Macc. 4:19); absolutely: Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:35; followed by indirect discourse, Mark 12:41; Mark 15:47; used especially of persons and things looked upon as in some respect noteworthy: τινα, John 6:40; John 16:10, 16ff,19; Acts 3:16; Acts 25:24; Revelation 11:11f; ὁ θεωρῶν τόν υἱόν θεωρεῖ τόν πατέρα, the majesty of the Father resplendent in the Son, John 12:45; τινα with participle (Buttmann, 301 (258): Mark 5:15); Luke 10:18; John 6:19; ( 2. to see; i. e. a. to perceive with the eyes: πνεῦμα, Luke 24:37; τινα with a participle, Luke 24:39; τινα, ὅτι, John 9:8; τό πρόσωπον τίνος (after the Hebrew; see πρόσωπον, 1 a.), equivalent to to enjoy the presence of one, have contact with him, Acts 20:38; οὐκέτι θεωρεῖν τινα, used of one from whose sight a person has been withdrawn, John 14:19; οὐ θεωρεῖ ὁ κόσμος τό πνεῦμα, i. e. so to speak, has no eyes with which it can see the Spirit; he cannot render himself visible to it, cannot give it his presence and power, John 14:17. b. to discern, descry: τί, Mark 5:38; τινα, Mark 3:11; Acts 9:7. c. to ascertain, find out, by seeing: τινα with a predicate accusative, Acts 17:22; τί with participle, Acts 17:16; Acts 28:6; ὅτι, Mark 16:4; John 4:19; John 12:19; Acts 19:26; Acts 27:10; followed by indirect discourse, Acts 21:20; Hebraistically (see εἰδῶ, I. 5) equivalent to to get knowledge of: John 6:62 (τόν υἱόν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀναβαίνοντα the Son of Man by death ascending; cf. Lücke, Meyer (yet cf. Weiss in the 6te Aufl.), Baumg.-Crusius, in the place cited); τόν θάνατον i. e. to die, John 8:51; and on the other hand, τήν δόξαν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, to be a partaker of the glory, i. e. the blessed condition in heaven, which Christ enjoys, John 17:24, cf. John 17:22. (Compare: ἀναθεωρέω, παραθεωρέω.) θεωρέω depicts concentrated, discerning observation. It is more than a glance (βλέπω) and more deliberate than simple sight (ὁράω). It carries ideas of beholding with intent, investigating, and drawing conclusions. The term stands behind the English word “theory,” pointing to thoughtful reflection upon what is seen. In Scripture it often marks the crucial divide between those who merely witness an event and those who grasp its significance. In the Earthly Ministry of Jesus 1. Miraculous Works In each case θεωρέω underscores that the miracles were not done in secret; they were open, verifiable acts calling for faith. 2. Compassionate Observation 3. The Passion Narrative These eyewitness accounts anchor the historicity of Christ’s death and resurrection. Johannine Theology of Seeing John’s Gospel employs θεωρέω to contrast physical seeing with spiritual perception. • “Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life” (John 6:40). Here θεωρέω moves from external vision to an inward apprehension of divine reality. Unbelief is portrayed as blindness despite clear evidence (John 12:37–40). Witness in Acts θεωρέω marks the public nature of apostolic ministry. • The lame man healed: “you see and know him” (Acts 3:16). Observation demands response—either repentance or hardened resistance. Contemplation and Evaluation Hebrews exhorts, “Consider how great this man was” (Hebrews 7:4), employing θεωρέω to invite careful theological reflection on Melchizedek as a type of Christ. The term thus embraces intellectual assessment alongside visual sight. Eschatological Overtones Revelation 11:11-12 twice uses θεωρέω of the world gazing at the resurrected two witnesses and their ascension. The verb highlights the undeniable nature of end-time events and anticipates final accountability: what humanity knowingly sees will either condemn or convert. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Shepherds must cultivate spiritual sight, discerning both the work of God and the needs of people (John 10:12-13). Ministry Applications 1. Preaching: Present Christ so clearly that hearers “see” the gospel realities (Galatians 3:1 conceptually). Summary θεωρέω threads through Scripture as the vocabulary of witnessing, weighing, and ultimately worshiping. Whether at Calvary, an empty tomb, or the throne of heaven, what is seen demands faith-filled interpretation and life-changing response. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 27:55 V-PPA-NFPGRK: ἀπὸ μακρόθεν θεωροῦσαι αἵτινες ἠκολούθησαν NAS: were there looking on from a distance, KJV: were there beholding afar off, which INT: from afar off looking on who followed Matthew 28:1 V-ANA Mark 3:11 V-IIA-3P Mark 5:15 V-PIA-3P Mark 5:38 V-PIA-3S Mark 12:41 V-IIA-3S Mark 15:40 V-PPA-NFP Mark 15:47 V-IIA-3P Mark 16:4 V-PIA-3P Luke 10:18 V-IIA-1P Luke 14:29 V-PPA-NMP Luke 21:6 V-PIA-2P Luke 23:35 V-PPA-NMS Luke 23:48 V-APA-NMP Luke 24:37 V-PNA Luke 24:39 V-PIA-2P John 2:23 V-PPA-NMP John 4:19 V-PIA-1S John 6:2 V-IIA-3P John 6:19 V-PIA-3P John 6:40 V-PPA-NMS John 6:62 V-PSA-2P John 7:3 V-FIA-3P John 8:51 V-ASA-3S John 9:8 V-PPA-NMP Strong's Greek 2334 |
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