What does φωνέω (phōnéō) mean in the Bible?
φωνέω (phōneō) means to call, summon, address, call out, or produce a cry or audible call. The subject and scene decide its force.
Greek · G5455
φωνέω
To call
Reading a lexicon entry
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φωνέω G5455
Pronunciation phōnéō
What does φωνέω (phōnéō) mean in the Bible?
φωνέω (phōneō) means to call, summon, address, call out, or produce a cry or audible call. The subject and scene decide its force.
Reader summary
Full entry for φωνέω (G5455) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G5455?
The BSB source-word alignment has 43 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include crows (6), crowed (5), Call (3), called (3), called out (3).
Where does φωνέω (phōnéō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 20:32. Its strongest book concentrations include John (13), Luke (10), Mark (10), Matthew (5).
Are there verse guides for φωνέω (phōnéō)?
This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
φωνέω (phōneō) means to call, summon, address, call out, or produce a cry or audible call. The subject and scene decide its force. Jesus calls two blind men and invites them to state their desire. A rooster crows at the moment Peter’s denial reaches its bitter fulfillment. In Jesus’ story, a tormented rich man calls to Abraham for mercy. Martha privately tells Mary that the Teacher is present and calling for her.
Paul calls out loudly to stop a jailer from killing himself. These examples show why the verb should not be confused with the whole biblical theology of calling. It can describe a personal summons, an urgent shout, an appeal, or even an animal’s cry. The sound may save a life, expose a failure, invite a response, or express anguish. Responsible teaching follows the voice to its speaker, addressee, words, and narrative result rather than treating every call as election, vocation, or effective grace.
Passage contextlexical_scope
How the Bible Uses It
φωνέω names an audible call, summons, address, or cry. The selected scenes range from Jesus calling sufferers and Mary, to a rooster’s crow, an anguished appeal, and Paul’s life-preserving shout.
- Matt.20.32
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.
Jesus’ call interrupts the movement toward Jerusalem and gives two blind men personal attention. The summons opens a conversation in which they name their need and receive compassionate healing.
- Matt.26.74
At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
The verb describes the rooster’s audible crow, which confirms Jesus’ prediction and awakens Peter to the gravity of his denial. The narrative significance comes from the prior word of Jesus, not from a symbolic meaning hidden in the verb.
- Luke.16.24
So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
The rich man’s call expresses anguish after the great reversal in Jesus’ story. His urgent address does not create a second opportunity; Abraham’s answer reinforces the sufficiency of Moses and the Prophets.
- John.11.28
After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
Martha calls Mary privately and reports Jesus’ summons. The doubled use of the verb moves Mary toward Jesus in the grief-filled narrative that will culminate in Lazarus being raised.
- Acts.16.28
But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
Paul’s urgent shout prevents the jailer’s suicide after the prison doors open. The call is concrete mercy, and the following conversation leads to the word of the Lord being spoken to the jailer and his household.
Passage contextBook contextdiscourse_contextnarrative_contextPastoral application
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 crows 6× Matthew 26:34, Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:30, Mark 14:72
crowed 5× Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:68, Mark 14:72, Luke 22:60
Call 3× Mark 10:49, John 4:16, John 13:13
called 3× John 1:48, John 2:9, John 11:28
called out 3× Luke 23:46, Acts 16:28, Revelation 14:18
he called 3× Luke 16:2, John 12:17, Acts 9:41
they called 2× Mark 10:49, John 9:24
. . . 1× Luke 19:15
[and] called 1× Matthew 20:32
[and] called out 1× Luke 8:54
[Cornelius] called 1× Acts 10:7
[Jesus] called 1× Mark 9:35
cried out 1× Luke 16:24
crow 1× Luke 22:34
He called out 1× Luke 8:8
He calls 1× John 10:3
He is calling 1× Mark 15:35
He is calling for 1× Mark 10:49
invite 1× Luke 14:12
is asking for 1× John 11:28
is calling 1× Matthew 27:47
summoned 1× John 18:33
They called out 1× Acts 10:18
they summoned 1× John 9:18
vvv 1× Mark 1:26
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 20:32 ἐφώνησεν to [and] called Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 26:34 φωνῆσαι to crows Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Matthew 26:74 ἐφώνησεν to crowed Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Matthew 26:75 φωνῆσαι to crows Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Matthew 27:47 φωνεῖ to is calling Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Mark 1:26 φωνῆσαν to vvv Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular Mark 9:35 ἐφώνησεν to [Jesus] called Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Mark 10:49 Φωνήσατε to Call Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Mark 10:49 φωνοῦσιν to they called Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Mark 10:49 φωνεῖ to He is calling for Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 20:32
Aligned rows 43
Books represented 6
Matthew 5 Mark 10 Luke 10 John 13 Acts 4 Revelation 1
Source forms
ἐφώνησεν 13x ephōnēsen Matthew 20:32, Matthew 26:74, Mark 9:35, Mark 14:68
φωνεῖ 6x phōnei Matthew 27:47, Mark 10:49, Mark 15:35, John 2:9
φωνῆσαι 6x phōnēsai Matthew 26:34, Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:30, Mark 14:72
φωνήσας 5x phōnēsas Luke 16:2, Luke 16:24, Luke 23:46, Acts 9:41
ἐφώνει 1x ephōnei Luke 8:8
ἐφώνησαν 1x ephōnēsan John 9:18
Ἐφώνησαν 1x Ephōnēsan John 9:24
φώνει 1x phōnei Luke 14:12
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 13x Matthew 20:32, Matthew 26:74, Mark 9:35, Mark 14:68
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active 6x Matthew 26:34, Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:30, Mark 14:72
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 6x Matthew 27:47, Mark 10:49, Mark 15:35, John 2:9
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular 5x Luke 16:2, Luke 16:24, Luke 23:46, Acts 9:41
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 2x John 9:18, John 9:24
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural 1x Mark 10:49
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular 1x John 4:16
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive 1x Luke 19:15
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Test every claimed call by the truth God has given rather than by urgency, emotion, or volume alone.
- Use your voice to interrupt harm, invite honest response, and direct people toward Christ and His word.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that φωνέω always describes God’s saving call, a ministry vocation, or an inward spiritual impression.
- Do not claim that an urgent cry guarantees mercy, repentance, truth, or a favorable response.
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.
Evidence Summary
Greek word. To call out audibly or summon someone by voice; often emphasizes public proclamation or addressing directly.
Source Gloss
to call
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 20:32 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐφώνησεν efwnhsen
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Matthew 26:34 Verb Aorist Active Infinitive
φωνῆσαι, fwnhsai
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Matthew 26:74 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐφώνησε. efwnhsen
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Matthew 26:75 Verb Aorist Active Infinitive
φωνῆσαι, fwnhsai
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Matthew 27:47 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
φωνεῖ fwnei
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 3:31 Verb Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine
φωνοῦντες fwnountev
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 9:35 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐφώνησε efwnhsen
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 10:49 Verb Aorist Passive Infinitive
φωνηθῆναι· fwnhqhnai
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 10:49 Verb Third Person Plural Present Active Indicative
φωνοῦσι fwnousin
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 10:49 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
φωνεῖ fwnei
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 14:30 Verb Aorist Active Infinitive
φωνῆσαι, fwnhsai
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 14:68 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐφώνησε. efwnhsen
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 14:72 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἐφώνησε. efwnhsen
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 14:72 Verb Aorist Active Infinitive
φωνῆσαι fwnhsai
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Mark 15:35 Verb Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative
φωνεῖ. fwnei
I crow, shout, summon
Read verse Luke 8:8 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Active Indicative
ἐφώνει, efwnei
I crow, shout, summon
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 5 Aligned forms 43 Tenses Aorist, Present, Imperfect, Future Voices Active, Passive
Tenses
Voices
Indicative states a fact or reality 25×
Aorist Active Matt 20:32 · Matt 26:74 · Mark 9:35 · Mark 14:68 · Mark 14:72 · Luke 8:54 · Luke 22:60 · John 11:28 · John 12:17 · John 18:27 · John 18:33 · Acts 16:28 · Rev 14:18 · John 9:18 · John 9:24 15×
Present Active Matt 27:47 · Mark 10:49 · Mark 15:35 · John 2:9 · John 10:3 · John 11:28 · John 13:13 8×
Imperfect Active Luke 8:8 1×
Future Active Luke 22:34 1×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 7×
Aorist Passive Luke 19:15 1×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 7×
Aorist Active Luke 16:2 · Luke 16:24 · Luke 23:46 · Acts 9:41 · Acts 10:7 · Mark 1:26 · Acts 10:18 7×
Imperative command or strong request 3×
Aorist Active Mark 10:49 · John 4:16 2×
Present Active Luke 14:12 1×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 1×
Aorist Active John 13:38 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 43 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist 32 present 9 imperfect 1 future 1
Voice
active 42 passive 1
Mood
indicative 25 participle 7 infinitive 7 imperative 3 subjunctive 1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 20:32 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Matthew 26:34 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 26:74 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Matthew 26:75 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 27:47 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing Mark 1:26 φωνῆσαν aorist active participle participle Mark 9:35 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Mark 10:49 Φωνήσατε aorist active imperative imperative Mark 10:49 φωνοῦσι present active indicative ongoing Mark 10:49 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing Mark 14:30 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 14:68 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Mark 14:72 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Mark 14:72 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Mark 15:35 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing Luke 8:54 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 8:8 ἐφώνει imperfect active indicative background Luke 14:12 φώνει present active imperative imperative Luke 16:2 φωνήσας aorist active participle participle Luke 16:24 φωνήσας aorist active participle participle Luke 19:15 φωνηθῆναι aorist passive infinitive infinitive Luke 22:34 φωνήσει future active indicative prospective Luke 22:60 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 22:61 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Luke 23:46 φωνήσας aorist active participle participle John 1:48 φωνῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive John 2:9 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing John 4:16 φώνησον aorist active imperative imperative John 9:18 ἐφώνησαν aorist active indicative completed John 9:24 Ἐφώνησαν aorist active indicative completed John 10:3 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing John 11:28 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed John 11:28 φωνεῖ present active indicative ongoing John 12:17 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed John 13:13 φωνεῖτέ present active indicative ongoing John 13:38 φωνήσῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive John 18:27 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed John 18:33 ἐφώνησεν aorist active indicative completed Acts 9:41 φωνήσας aorist active participle participle Acts 10:18 φωνήσαντες aorist active participle participle
+3 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)
Word Origins
φωνέω is built from this root:
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
A call is an event between a voice and a hearer. φωνέω does not guarantee that the speaker is divine, the message is saving, or the response is faithful. A rooster can “call” in the lexical sense, yet its crow becomes devastating because Jesus had already spoken truth about Peter’s denial. The rich man calls for mercy, but his anguish does not overturn the settled judgment described in the story.
Jesus calls blind men and Mary, making room for need, grief, and personal response. Paul calls loudly into a dark prison and stops a man from taking his own life, after which the word of the Lord is proclaimed. These scenes train disciples to attend to both sound and substance. Who is calling? What is said? What danger, promise, memory, or invitation does the hearer face?
Christian ministry should not inflate every summons into mystical guidance. It should cultivate voices that speak truth clearly, interrupt destruction, invite people toward Jesus, and remain accountable to the words God has already given.
Anchor passage
Acts.16.28
Doctrinal connections
- G5456 Phōnē, voice or sound: the related noun names the audible voice or sound produced or heard.
- G2564 Kaleō, to call, name, or invite: kaleō carries important naming and calling uses that should not be imported automatically into φωνέω.
- G2896 Krazō, to cry out: this verb often stresses urgent or public crying and overlaps without becoming identical.
- G2905 Kraugazō, to shout or cry aloud: a stronger cry term that can mark public acclamation or hostile shouting.
- G3004 Legō, to say or tell: λέγω commonly reports speech content, while φωνέω foregrounds calling or audible address.
- G191 Akouō, to hear: a call normally seeks a hearer, and narrative response depends on what is heard and understood.
The verb belongs to the word family of φωνή, voice or sound. It may take a person as the one summoned, report calling aloud, or describe a rooster’s crow. Volume and urgency come from modifiers and context. The lexeme itself does not encode the theological categories often expressed by English “calling.”
From Old to New Testament
Scripture repeatedly portrays God calling people by name, prophets raising their voices, sufferers crying for mercy, and watchmen sounding warnings. The New Testament continues that world of voiced summons while distinguishing ordinary calls from God’s effectual saving work, which must be traced through its own terms and passages.
Canonical synthesisPastoral application
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