What does μεθερμηνεύω (methermēneúō) mean in the Bible?
The Greek verb methermeneuo means to interpret, translate, or state what an expression means across languages. Matthew explains the meaning of the name Immanuel.
Greek · G3177
μεθερμηνεύω
To mean
Reading a lexicon entry
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μεθερμηνεύωG3177
Pronunciationmethermēneúō
What does μεθερμηνεύω (methermēneúō) mean in the Bible?
The Greek verb methermeneuo means to interpret, translate, or state what an expression means across languages. Matthew explains the meaning of the name Immanuel.
Reader summary
Full entry for μεθερμηνεύω (G3177) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G3177?
The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include means (5), . . . (1), meaning (1), translated as (1).
Where does μεθερμηνεύω (methermēneúō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 1:23. Its strongest book concentrations include Mark (3), Acts (2), John (2), Matthew (1).
Are there verse guides for μεθερμηνεύω (methermēneúō)?
This entry includes 2 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
The Greek verb methermeneuo means to interpret, translate, or state what an expression means across languages. Matthew explains the meaning of the name Immanuel. Mark supplies meanings for Aramaic place names and spoken words so readers can follow decisive scenes in Jesus' ministry and crucifixion. Acts explains Barnabas's name and uses the verb when identifying what Elymas is called.
In each case, interpretation serves understanding, but the explanatory gloss does not exhaust the whole passage or convert every name into a private prediction. The verb itself does not authorize a speaker to invent hidden meanings, bypass language study, or claim that one English rendering captures every nuance. Translation necessarily communicates between audiences and should be handled with humility, context, and transparent evidence.
Responsible teaching welcomes explanation for readers who do not know the source language, distinguishes translation from broader exposition, and checks names and phrases against their narrative setting. It refuses mystical name decoding, linguistic superiority, ridicule of accented speech, and claims that ordinary readers need a secret expert to access God.
How the Bible Uses It
Methermeneuo marks explicit interpretation or translation of names, place names, and sayings in Gospel and Acts narratives so readers can understand language that would otherwise remain unfamiliar.
- Matt.1.23
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
Matthew supplies the meaning of Immanuel while presenting Jesus' conception and birth within the cited promise.
- Mark.5.41
Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”
Mark translates Jesus' Aramaic words to Jairus's daughter for readers following the healing narrative.
- Mark.15.22
They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull.
Mark explains Golgotha as Place of the Skull when the soldiers bring Jesus to the crucifixion site.
- Mark.15.34
At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Mark translates Jesus' Aramaic cry of abandonment while retaining its sound in the passion account.
- Acts.4.36
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
Luke explains that the apostles' name Barnabas means Son of Encouragement before describing his generosity.
- Acts.13.8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
Luke identifies Elymas as the sorcerer's interpreted name during his opposition to Paul's message.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itmeans5×Mark 5:41, Mark 15:22, Mark 15:34, John 1:38
. . .1×Matthew 1:23
meaning1×Acts 4:36
translated as1×John 1:41
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 1:23μεθερμηνευόμενονto. . .Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularMark 5:41μεθερμηνευόμενονtomeansVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularMark 15:22μεθερμηνευόμενον*tomeansVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularMark 15:34μεθερμηνευόμενονtomeansVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularJohn 1:38μεθερμηνευόμενονtomeansVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularJohn 1:41μεθερμηνευόμενονtotranslated asVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularActs 4:36μεθερμηνευόμενονtomeaningVerb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter SingularActs 13:8μεθερμηνεύεταιtomeansVerb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowMatthew 1:23
Aligned rows8
Books represented4
Matthew1Mark3John2Acts2
Source forms
μεθερμηνευόμενον6xmethermēneuomenonMatthew 1:23, Mark 5:41, Mark 15:34, John 1:38
μεθερμηνεύεται1xmethermēneuetaiActs 13:8
μεθερμηνευόμενον*1xmethermēneuomenonMark 15:22
Parsing patterns
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular7xMatthew 1:23, Mark 5:41, Mark 15:22, Mark 15:34
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular1xActs 13:8
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Church communication should provide clear translation and accessible explanation where language differences would otherwise exclude participants.
- Teachers should cite verifiable language evidence and distinguish established meaning, reasonable interpretation, and personal application.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that methermeneuo refers to every act of biblical interpretation or spiritual discernment.
- Do not claim that one translated gloss exhausts a name, saying, or passage's narrative significance.
- Do not claim that untranslated source-language pronunciation carries power unavailable through faithful translation.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
John 1:41Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,methermeneuomenonto meanThe form strengthens the verse's explanatory tone by showing that "Messiah" is being interpreted as "the Christ" for the audience.Read verse guideMatthew 1:23Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,methermeneuomenonto meanThe form helps the reader hear Emmanuel as a name whose sense is immediately interpreted, making the verse both prophetic and explanatory.Read verse guideEvidence Summary
Greek word. to mean
Source Gloss
to mean
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
7 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
meqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read verseMark 5:41Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,meqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read verseMark 15:22Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,meqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read verseMark 15:34Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,meqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read versemeqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read verseActs 4:36Verb Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Neuter
μεθερμηνευόμενον,meqermhneuomenon
I translate, interpret
Read verseActs 13:8Verb Third Person Singular Present Passive Indicative
μεθερμηνεύεταιmeqermhneuetai
I translate, interpret
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 2 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present2
Voice
passive2
Mood
indicative1participle1
NT Occurrences
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
μεθερμηνεύω is built from these roots:
+ἑρμηνεύωG2059
For the Preacher and Teacher
Methermeneuo makes the work of translation visible. Gospel writers sometimes retain an Aramaic expression or place name and then give readers its meaning. This practice honors the remembered wording while refusing to leave outsiders without help. Matthew's explanation of Immanuel serves the birth narrative and cited promise; it is not a method for deriving destiny from every personal name.
Mark's translations at Jairus's house and Golgotha help readers hear key moments while the surrounding narrative supplies their force. Acts explains Barnabas before showing his generous action, and it identifies Elymas within a conflict over the gospel. A translated gloss is therefore real evidence, but it is not the whole interpretation. Faithful teaching states which language is being explained, uses reliable textual evidence, acknowledges where renderings vary, and keeps the phrase inside its scene.
It makes original-language learning serve the reader instead of displaying status. It also recognizes that Scripture itself models accessibility. No congregation should be told that God is available only through one modern language, accent, translation, or expert. Translation is accountable hospitality, not mystical decoding or control.
Anchor passage
Mark.5.41
Doctrinal connections
- The Gospel writers preserve meaningful source-language texture while actively helping wider audiences understand it.
- Immanuel's interpreted name serves Matthew's testimony about Jesus within the complete birth narrative.
- Jesus' words to Jairus's daughter are translated so readers can follow His compassionate authority over death.
- The translated cry at the cross retains lament's force within Mark's account of Jesus' suffering.
- Barnabas's interpreted name is followed by concrete generosity, connecting explanation with narrated character and action.
- Accessible explanation can serve the church without making linguistic expertise a source of spiritual rank.
Methermeneuo is a Greek verb formed with a prefix and a verb of interpretation, commonly introducing the meaning of a retained foreign term. Its narrative function differs from extended exposition, prophetic interpretation, or claims about a word's full semantic range.
From Old to New Testament
Scripture repeatedly crosses linguistic boundaries through names, loanwords, quotations, interpretation, and multilingual proclamation. These canonical patterns support careful translation while each Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek expression must still be examined in its own textual setting.