φανερόω
To render apparent (literally or figuratively)
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What does φανερόω (phaneróō) mean in the Bible?
φανερόω (phaneróō) is a Greek word meaning "to render apparent (literally or figuratively)". φανερόω, -ώ [in LXX: Jer. Resurrection appearances as intentional revelation. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah, Redemption, Revelation.
Full entry for φανερόω (G5319) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
To make publicly visible or known; reveal what was hidden or obscure.
to make visible, clear, manifest or known: with accusative of thing(s), Jhn.2:11 17:6, Rom.1:19, 1Co.4:5, 2Co.2:14 11:6, Col.4:4, Tit.1:3; pass., Mrk.4:22, Jhn.3:21 9:3, Rom.3:21 16:26, 2Co.4:10-11, Eph.5:13, Col.1:26, 2Ti.1:10, Heb.9:8, 1Jn.3:2 Jn 4:9, Rev.3:18 15:4; with accusative of person(s), of Christ, Jhn.7:4 21:1; pass., 2Co.3:3 5:10-11, 1Jn.2:19; of Christ, Mrk.16:12, 14, Jhn.1:31 21:14, Col.3:4, 1Ti.3:16, Heb.9:26, 1Pe.1:20 5:4, 1Jn.1:2 (ἡ ζωή; see Westc., in l) 1Jn.2:28 Jn 3:2 Jn 3:5 Jn 3:8.
Why This Word Matters
Resurrection appearances as intentional revelation. 1 John 1:1-4
Resurrection appearances are divine self-disclosure. 1 John 2:28-29
Affirms the historical visibility of the eternal Son against any denial of true incarnation. 1 John 3:1-3
Refers to the visible manifestation of Christ at His return, grounding ethical urgency. John 21:1–14
The life of God is not discovered by human ascent but by God’s gracious self-revelation in His Son. Salvation is based on divine initiative, not human spiritual exploration.
Christian living is oriented toward an anticipated, public return of Christ.
Christian hope centers on Christ’s return and the believer’s transformation at that event.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Indicative states a fact or reality 24×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 12×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 4×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 7×
Imperative command or strong request 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 48 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
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)
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain