What does πάσχω (páschō) mean in the Bible?
πάσχω means to suffer, undergo, or experience something, especially affliction, pain, mistreatment, or costly obedience. The word is not automatically heroic and should not be romanticized.
Greek · G3958
πάσχω
To experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
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πάσχω G3958
Pronunciation páschō
What does πάσχω (páschō) mean in the Bible?
πάσχω means to suffer, undergo, or experience something, especially affliction, pain, mistreatment, or costly obedience. The word is not automatically heroic and should not be romanticized.
Reader summary
Full entry for πάσχω (G3958) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G3958?
The BSB source-word alignment has 42 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include suffer (8), suffered (6), to suffer (5), suffering (3), [after you] have suffered (1).
Where does πάσχω (páschō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 16:21. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Peter (12), Luke (6), Acts (5), Hebrews (4).
What This Word Actually Means
πάσχω means to suffer, undergo, or experience something, especially affliction, pain, mistreatment, or costly obedience. The word is not automatically heroic and should not be romanticized. Its Christian weight comes from the way Scripture uses it around Christ and His people. Christ suffered, learned obedience through what He suffered, and entered glory through suffering.
Believers may also suffer for Him, suffer while doing good, and entrust themselves to God. In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul’s own suffering is joined to confidence: he is not ashamed because he knows the One he has believed. Suffering is interpreted through Christ, guarded by faith, and entrusted to God.
How the Bible Uses It
πάσχω names suffering or undergoing affliction. In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul suffers without shame because he knows Christ. The wider canon anchors Christian suffering in Christ’s own suffering, obedience, help, example, and promised glory.
- 2Tim.1.12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
Paul suffers and is not ashamed because his confidence rests in the One he has believed. The Pastoral anchor interprets suffering through entrusting faith.
- 1Pet.2.21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
Christ suffered for His people and left an example for their steps. Christian suffering is not self-saving, but it is patterned after the suffering Savior.
- Heb.5.8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
The Son learned obedience from what He suffered. Suffering is not outside Christ’s incarnate obedience; it belongs to His faithful path.
- Phil.1.29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
Believers are granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him. Suffering can belong to union with Christ and gospel allegiance.
- Luke.24.26
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”
The risen Christ says the Messiah had to suffer and enter glory. Suffering is interpreted by Scripture’s necessity and God’s redemptive plan.
- 1Pet.4.19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to the faithful Creator and continue doing good. Suffering does not cancel obedience.
- Heb.2.18
Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
Because Christ suffered when tempted, He is able to help the tempted. His suffering becomes pastoral help for suffering believers.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It suffer 8× Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:12, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22
suffered 6× 1 Thessalonians 2:14, Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 2:21
to suffer 5× Luke 24:26, Philippians 1:29, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 3:17
suffering 3× Luke 22:15, Acts 1:3, 1 Peter 2:19
[after you] have suffered 1× 1 Peter 5:10
[and] suffered 1× Acts 28:5
experience 1× 2 Corinthians 1:6
has suffered 1× 1 Peter 4:1
Have you suffered 1× Galatians 3:4
He suffered 1× Hebrews 5:8
I have suffered 1× Matthew 27:19
I suffer 1× 2 Timothy 1:12
is suffering 1× Matthew 17:15
must suffer 1× Mark 9:12
She had borne 1× Mark 5:26
should suffer 1× 1 Peter 4:15
suffers 1× 1 Corinthians 12:26
they suffered 1× Luke 13:2
when He suffered 1× 1 Peter 2:23
will suffer 1× Luke 24:46
would suffer 1× Acts 3:18
you are suffering 1× 2 Thessalonians 1:5
you should suffer 1× 1 Peter 3:14
you suffer 1× 1 Peter 2:20
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 16:21 παθεῖν to suffer Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Matthew 17:12 πάσχειν to suffer Verb - Present Infinitive Active Matthew 17:15 πάσχει* to is suffering Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 27:19 ἔπαθον to I have suffered Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Mark 5:26 παθοῦσα to She had borne Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular Mark 8:31 παθεῖν to suffer Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Mark 9:12 πάθῃ to must suffer Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Luke 9:22 παθεῖν to suffer Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Luke 13:2 πεπόνθασιν to they suffered Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Luke 17:25 παθεῖν to suffer Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 16:21
Aligned rows 42
Books represented 14
Matthew 4 Mark 3 Luke 6 Acts 5 1 Corinthians 1 2 Corinthians 1 Galatians 1 Philippians 1 1 Thessalonians 1 2 Thessalonians 1 2 Timothy 1 Hebrews 4 1 Peter 12 Revelation 1
Source forms
παθεῖν 12x pathein Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, Luke 17:25
ἔπαθεν 4x epathen Acts 28:5, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 2:21
πάσχειν 4x paschein Matthew 17:12, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 3:17, Revelation 2:10
ἐπάθετε 2x epathete Galatians 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:14
πάσχοντες 2x paschontes 1 Peter 2:20, 1 Peter 4:19
πάσχων 2x paschōn 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 2:23
ἔπαθεν* 1x epathen 1 Peter 3:18
ἔπαθον 1x epathon Matthew 27:19
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active 12x Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, Luke 17:25
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 5x Acts 28:5, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 13:12, 1 Peter 2:21
Verb - Present Infinitive Active 4x Matthew 17:12, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 3:17, Revelation 2:10
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural 2x Galatians 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:14
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 2x Matthew 17:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural 2x 1 Peter 2:20, 1 Peter 4:19
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular 2x 1 Peter 2:19, 1 Peter 2:23
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular 1x Matthew 27:19
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Teach suffering through Christ’s suffering and help, not through pressure to appear strong.
- Keep pastoral care alert: suffering language must never be used to excuse abuse, neglect, or avoidable harm.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that believers’ suffering atones for sin. Christ’s suffering is uniquely saving.
- Do not claim that all suffering is the same kind of suffering. The New Testament distinguishes suffering for Christ, suffering under temptation, suffering while doing good, and suffering brought by wrongdoing.
Evidence Summary
Messiah
Greek word. To suffer or be acted upon passively; opposite to acting or doing oneself.
Strong's G3958
Lexical occurrences 42 verses Greek text appearances 42 times 16 shown below Word forms 6 forms 42 references Verse guides 0 guides
Study link 1 Peter 3:13-22 Source Gloss
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 42 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 16:21 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Matthew 17:12 Verb Present Active Infinitive
πάσχειν pascein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Matthew 17:15 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
πάσχει· pascei
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Matthew 27:19 Verb First Person Singular Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἔπαθον epaqon
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Mark 5:26 Verb Second Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Feminine
παθοῦσα paqousa
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Mark 8:31 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν, paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Mark 9:12 Verb Third Person Singular Second Aorist Active Subjunctive
πάθῃ paqh
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 9:22 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν, paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 13:2 Verb Third Person Plural Second Perfect Active Indicative
πεπόνθασιν; peponqasin
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 17:25 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 22:15 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν· paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 24:26 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Luke 24:46 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Acts 1:3 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Acts 3:18 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
Read verse Acts 9:16 Verb Second Aorist Active Infinitive
παθεῖν. paqein
I am acted upon, suffer
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.
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 6 Aligned forms 42 Tenses Aorist, Present, Perfect Voices Active
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
Tenses
Voices
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 16×
Aorist Active Matt 16:21 · Mark 8:31 · Luke 9:22 · Luke 17:25 · Luke 22:15 · Luke 24:26 · Luke 24:46 · Acts 1:3 · Acts 3:18 · Acts 9:16 · Acts 17:3 · Heb 9:26 12×
Present Active Matt 17:12 · Phil 1:29 · 1 Pet 3:17 · Rev 2:10 4×
Indicative states a fact or reality 15×
Aorist Active Acts 28:5 · Heb 5:8 · Heb 13:12 · 1 Pet 2:21 · 1 Pet 3:18 · Gal 3:4 · 1 Thess 2:14 · Matt 27:19 8×
Present Active Matt 17:15 · 1 Cor 12:26 · 2 Cor 1:6 · 2 Thess 1:5 · 2 Tim 1:12 5×
Perfect Active Luke 13:2 · Heb 2:18 2×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 8×
Present Active 1 Pet 2:19 · 1 Pet 2:23 · 1 Pet 2:20 · 1 Pet 4:19 4×
Aorist Active Mark 5:26 · 1 Pet 4:1 · 1 Pet 5:10 4×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 1×
Aorist Active Mark 9:12 1×
Optative wish or remote possibility 1×
Present Active 1 Pet 3:14 1×
Imperative command or strong request 1×
Present Active 1 Pet 4:15 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 41 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist 25 present 14 perfect 2
Voice
active 41
Mood
infinitive 16 indicative 15 participle 7 optative 1 imperative 1 subjunctive 1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 16:21 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 17:12 πάσχειν present active infinitive infinitive Matthew 17:15 πάσχει present active indicative ongoing Matthew 27:19 ἔπαθον aorist active indicative completed Mark 5:26 παθοῦσα aorist active participle participle Mark 8:31 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 9:12 πάθῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Luke 9:22 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 13:2 πεπόνθασιν perfect active indicative resultant Luke 17:25 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 22:15 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 24:26 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 24:46 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 1:3 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 3:18 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 9:16 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 17:3 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 28:5 ἔπαθεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Corinthians 12:26 πάσχει present active indicative ongoing 2 Corinthians 1:6 πάσχομεν present active indicative ongoing Galatians 3:4 ἐπάθετε aorist active indicative completed Philippians 1:29 πάσχειν present active infinitive infinitive 1 Thessalonians 2:14 ἐπάθετε aorist active indicative completed 2 Thessalonians 1:5 πάσχετε present active indicative ongoing 2 Timothy 1:12 πάσχω present active indicative ongoing Hebrews 2:18 πέπονθεν perfect active indicative resultant Hebrews 5:8 ἔπαθεν aorist active indicative completed Hebrews 9:26 παθεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive Hebrews 13:12 ἔπαθεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Peter 2:19 πάσχων present active participle participle 1 Peter 2:21 ἔπαθεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Peter 2:23 πάσχων present active participle participle 1 Peter 3:14 πάσχοιτε present active optative optative 1 Peter 3:17 πάσχειν present active infinitive infinitive 1 Peter 3:18 ἔπαθεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Peter 4:1 παθόντος aorist active participle participle 1 Peter 4:1 παθὼν aorist active participle participle 1 Peter 4:15 πασχέτω present active imperative imperative 1 Peter 4:19 πάσχοντες present active participle participle 1 Peter 5:10 παθόντας aorist active participle participle
+1 more 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)
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
New Testament Witnesses
to experience pain or suffering
Showing 1 selected witness from 42 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
πάσχω is a primary verb - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Connects Christ’s historical suffering to the believer’s redemptive assurance. 1 Peter 3:13-22
Canonical Themes
Messiah
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
πάσχω needs careful pastoral handling because suffering is one of the easiest subjects to misuse. The word does not make pain good in itself, nor does it make every hardship a badge of faithfulness. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul suffers and refuses shame because he knows the One he has believed. That confidence is not denial; it is trust. The wider canon gives the controlling frame.
Christ suffered, entered glory, learned obedience in His incarnate path, and helps those who are tempted. Believers may suffer for Christ and while doing good, but they entrust their souls to the faithful Creator. This keeps suffering from becoming either despair, spectacle, or spiritual pressure.
Anchor passage
2Tim.1.12
Doctrinal connections
- G5547 Christos: Christian suffering is interpreted through Christ, who suffered and entered glory.
- G4102 Pistis: Paul’s suffering in 2 Timothy 1:12 is held by trust in the One he has believed.
- G5281 Hypomone: Suffering and endurance belong together, but suffering is the pressure and endurance is the faithful staying power under it.
- G1680 Elpis: Suffering is not final for believers because Christ’s path moves through suffering toward glory.
- G5485 Charis: Philippians 1:29 presents suffering for Christ as granted, not as earning favor or proving superiority.
- G2041 Ergon: First Peter 4:19 keeps suffering joined to continuing good, refusing both retaliation and paralysis.
πάσχω can mean to undergo or experience, but its New Testament theological weight usually concerns suffering. Context decides whether the emphasis is Christ’s suffering, apostolic affliction, believers suffering for Christ, or suffering while doing good.
From Old to New Testament
The Old Testament gives categories for righteous suffering, lament, faithful entrusting, and the suffering servant. The New Testament centers those strands in Christ’s suffering and then teaches believers how to suffer without shame, without retaliation, and without losing hope.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain