2613. katadikazo
Lexical Summary
katadikazo: To condemn, to pass judgment against

Original Word: καταδικάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katadikazo
Pronunciation: kä-tä-dē-kä'-zō
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ad-ik-ad'-zo)
KJV: condemn
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and a derivative of G1349 (δίκη - justice)]

1. to adjudge against, i.e. pronounce guilty

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
condemn.

From kata and a derivative of dike; to adjudge against, i.e. Pronounce guilty -- condemn.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK dike

HELPS Word-studies

2613 katadikázō (from 2596 /katá, "according to, down," which intensifies dikazō, "to act as judge") – properly, judge down, i.e. condemn in an exact (personal) manner that is highly specific.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2613: καταδικάζω

καταδικάζω; 1 aorist κατεδίκασα; 1 aorist passive κατεδικασθην; 1 future passive καταδικασθήσομαι; to give judgment against (one), to pronounce guilty; to condemn; in classical Greek (where it differs from κρίνειν in giving prominence to the formal and official as distinguished from the inward and logical judging (cf. Schmidt, Synonym, chapter 18, 6)) it is followed by the genitive of the person, in the N. T. by the accusative (Buttmann, § 132, 16): Matthew 12:7; Luke 6:37 (here Tr marginal reading the simple verb); James 5:6; passive, Matthew 12:37; (Luke 6:37b (not Tr marginal reading)). (the Sept. Lamentations 3:35; Josephus, Antiquities 7, 11, 3.)

STRONGS NT 2613a: καταδίκηκαταδίκη, καταδίκης, ;

1. damnatory sentence, condemnation: Acts 25:15 L T Tr WH; ((Epicharm. in Ath. 2, 3, p. 36 d.), Polybius, Plutarch, Irenaeus 1, 16, 3).

2. penalty, especially a fine; (Thucydides, Demosthenes, Lucian).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 2613 gathers a small yet potent family of words meaning “to condemn” or “condemnation.” While the vocabulary occurs only six times in the Greek New Testament, each text employs vivid courtroom language to frame the ultimate issue of guilt before God and neighbor.

Biblical Usage

Matthew 12:7; 12:37 – Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of religious critics who “condemn the innocent” and warns that idle words will “condemn” a person in the day of judgment. Personal speech thus carries judicial weight.
Luke 6:37 – Twice the Lord commands, “Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned,” linking human verdicts with the standard by which God will measure us.
Acts 25:15 – Jewish leaders in Caesarea petition Festus for “a sentence of condemnation” against Paul, illustrating the word’s formal legal sense.
James 5:6 – The rich are rebuked for having “condemned and murdered the righteous,” a prophetic echo of unjust verdicts in Israel’s courts.

Legal Background

In the Greco-Roman world a κατάδικος (condemned person) faced penalties ranging from fines to death. New Testament writers tap this imagery to underline that sin invites a binding verdict, one no earthly advocate can overturn.

Old Testament Foundations

Condemnation language in Proverbs, Isaiah, and the Psalms anticipates the Greek term through Hebrew verbs such as רָשַׁע (to declare guilty). God condemns bloodshed (Psalm 94:21) yet “does not condemn” the righteous (Psalm 37:33). The New Testament inherits both the moral gravity and the hope that God Himself will vindicate the faithful.

Divine versus Human Judgment

Jesus reserves ultimate condemnation for God alone (Matthew 10:28) while forbidding a censorious spirit among disciples (Luke 6:37). Human courts are fallible; divine judgment is perfect, impartial, and final. This tension is resolved at the cross where the innocent Son bears the world’s condemnation (compare Romans 8:3).

Christ’s Teaching

The Lord’s twin commands—“Do not judge… do not condemn” (Luke 6:37)—are positive calls to mercy, not invitations to moral relativism. They assume the reality of objective guilt yet urge believers to imitate God's patience, allowing space for repentance before the Last Day.

Apostolic Application

James 5:6 warns wealthy oppressors that their ill-gotten verdicts will not stand. Acts 25:15 shows Paul’s confidence in Roman law while trusting the higher court of Christ (2 Timothy 4:8). Together the passages teach respect for civil authority but remind the church that every tribunal is accountable to God.

Pastoral and Ethical Implications

1. Speech: Idle words may seal one’s condemnation (Matthew 12:37); therefore believers cultivate edifying conversation.
2. Mercy: Because God suspended condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1), the church extends grace, pursuing restoration over retribution.
3. Justice: Condemning the innocent is a hallmark of societal decay; Christians work to defend the vulnerable and seek reforms that mirror divine righteousness.

Relation to Justification

Condemnation (Strong’s 2613) is the dark backdrop for justification. Where one pronounces guilt, the other declares righteousness. Paul’s theology climaxes in the announcement, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), transforming the believer’s legal position from guilty to acquitted.

Contemporary Ministry Significance

• Preaching the Gospel must confront the reality of condemnation to magnify the grace that removes it.
• Counseling emphasizes that self-condemnation is answered by the finished work of Christ.
• Social engagement champions just verdicts, reflecting God’s hatred of wrongful condemnation.

Related Terms

• κρίσις – judgment (the process)
• κατάκριμα – sentence of condemnation (the result)
• δικαιόω – to justify (declare righteous), the divine antithesis to καταδικάζω.

In sum, Strong’s 2613 echoes across Scripture as a solemn reminder: every word, deed, and verdict will face the bar of God’s holiness. Yet the same God offers absolution through the Lamb who was condemned in our place.

Forms and Transliterations
καταδεδικασμένος καταδικαζετε καταδικάζετε καταδικάσαι καταδικάσεται καταδικάσηται καταδικάσητε καταδικασθηση καταδικασθήση καταδικασθήσῃ καταδικασθητε καταδικασθήτε καταδικασθῆτε καταδικάσονται καταδικην καταδίκην κατεδικασατε κατεδικάσατε κατεδίωξεν katadikasthese katadikasthēsē katadikasthḗsei katadikasthḗsēi katadikasthete katadikasthête katadikasthēte katadikasthē̂te katadikazete katadikázete katadiken katadikēn katadíken katadíkēn katedikasate katedikásate
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 12:7 V-AIA-2P
GRK: οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε τοὺς ἀναιτίους
NAS: AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
KJV: not have condemned the guiltless.
INT: not anyhow you had condemned the guiltless

Matthew 12:37 V-FIP-2S
GRK: λόγων σου καταδικασθήσῃ
NAS: and by your words you will be condemned.
KJV: thy words thou shalt be condemned.
INT: words of you you will be condemned

Luke 6:37 V-PMA-2P
GRK: καὶ μὴ καταδικάζετε καὶ οὐ
NAS: and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned;
KJV: not be judged: condemn not, and
INT: and not condemn that no

Luke 6:37 V-ASP-2P
GRK: οὐ μὴ καταδικασθῆτε ἀπολύετε καὶ
NAS: and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon,
KJV: not be condemned: forgive,
INT: no not you be condemned Forgive and

Acts 25:15 N-AFS
GRK: κατ' αὐτοῦ καταδίκην
INT: against him judgment

James 5:6 V-AIA-2P
GRK: κατεδικάσατε ἐφονεύσατε τὸν
NAS: You have condemned and put to death
KJV: Ye have condemned [and] killed
INT: you condemned you killed the

Strong's Greek 2613
6 Occurrences


καταδικασθήσῃ — 1 Occ.
καταδικασθῆτε — 1 Occ.
καταδικάζετε — 1 Occ.
καταδίκην — 1 Occ.
κατεδικάσατε — 2 Occ.

2612
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