What does ἄγω (ágō) mean in the Bible?
ἄγω (agō) means to lead, bring, carry along, take, or cause someone to move. The verb is morally neutral until the leader, means, destination, and purpose are known.
Greek · G71
ἄγω
To bring
Reading a lexicon entry
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ἄγω G71
Pronunciation ágō
What does ἄγω (ágō) mean in the Bible?
ἄγω (agō) means to lead, bring, carry along, take, or cause someone to move. The verb is morally neutral until the leader, means, destination, and purpose are known.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἄγω (G71) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G71?
The BSB source-word alignment has 69 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include let us go (5), . . . (3), be brought in (3), brought (3), brought [him] (3).
Where does ἄγω (ágō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 10:18. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (26), John (13), Luke (13), Matthew (4).
Are there verse guides for ἄγω (ágō)?
This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
ἄγω (agō) means to lead, bring, carry along, take, or cause someone to move. The verb is morally neutral until the leader, means, destination, and purpose are known. Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, a personal act that becomes part of Peter’s calling. Jesus warns disciples that they will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses, and Mark can render the same leading action as arrest because hostile authorities control the movement.
During the Passion, Jesus is brought first to Annas, showing coerced movement within the unjust proceedings that lead to the cross. Paul then says those led by the Spirit of God are God’s sons, placing divine leading within the argument about life, holiness, adoption, suffering, and hope. The word does not make every influence guidance from God, and Spirit-leading is not a synonym for impulse, ease, or private direction.
Context distinguishes welcome, coercion, legal custody, and sanctifying divine agency.
Passage contextCanonical synthesis
How the Bible Uses It
ἄγω names leading or bringing, whether through personal introduction, hostile custody, legal pressure, or the Spirit’s agency. The selected passages ask who leads, where, by what means, and toward what end.
- John.1.42
Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
Andrew’s personal action places Simon before Jesus, who knows and renames him. Bringing someone to Jesus serves witness, but Jesus Himself addresses the person and defines the calling.
- Matt.10.18
On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
Hostile authorities bring disciples into courts, yet Jesus interprets the coerced journey as an occasion for witness. The leaders control the custody, but God’s mission is not defeated by their purpose.
- Mark.13.11
But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
The Greek leading verb appears within arrest and handing over. Jesus promises the Spirit’s help for witness under pressure, not exemption from suffering or permission to neglect ordinary preparation in every setting.
- John.18.13
They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
Jesus is led under arrest into the chain of interrogation preceding crucifixion. His coerced movement belongs to the Passion narrative in which human injustice advances toward the self-giving work He has willingly embraced.
- Rom.8.14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Spirit-leading belongs to Paul’s contrast between life by the flesh and putting sinful deeds to death by the Spirit. Adoption, witness, suffering with Christ, and future glory surround the statement.
Passage contextPastoral applicationmissional_contextpastoral_guardrailgospel_claritytheological_synthesis
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 let us go 5× Matthew 26:46, Mark 1:38, Mark 14:42, John 11:7
. . . 3× Acts 9:2, Acts 23:18, Acts 23:31
be brought in 3× Acts 25:6, Acts 25:17, Acts 25:23
brought 3× Luke 10:34, John 8:3, Acts 18:12
brought [him] 3× Acts 6:12, Acts 9:27, Acts 17:15
be brought 2× Luke 18:40, Acts 21:34
bring [them] 2× Luke 19:27, Acts 22:5
Come 2× James 4:13, James 5:1
They brought 2× Matthew 21:7, John 9:13
they led 2× Luke 19:35, John 18:28
[and] bring [him] 1× 2 Timothy 4:11
[and] bring [it here] 1× Luke 19:30
[and] bring [them] 1× Matthew 21:2
[and] brought 1× Acts 5:26
[and] brought [him] 1× Acts 17:19
[and] led 1× Luke 23:1
[and] led astray 1× 2 Timothy 3:6
[and] they took us 1× Acts 21:16
[Andrew] brought 1× John 1:42
[for] 1× Acts 5:21
[the devil] led 1× Luke 4:9
are led 1× Romans 8:14
are open 1× Acts 19:38
bring 1× John 10:16
bring [him] 1× Acts 23:10
didn’t you bring 1× John 7:45
go 1× John 11:16
has brought 1× Acts 13:23
he brought 1× John 19:13
he brought [him] 1× Acts 11:26
He was led 1× Acts 8:32
I am bringing 1× John 19:4
In bringing 1× Hebrews 2:10
is 1× Luke 24:21
leads 1× Romans 2:4
led 1× Luke 4:29
led [Him] away 1× Luke 22:54
Let us go on 1× John 14:31
take 1× Acts 9:21
they arrest 1× Mark 13:11
They brought [Him] first 1× John 18:13
They brought them in 1× Acts 5:27
to bring 1× Acts 23:18
to take 1× Acts 20:12
was led 1× Luke 4:1
were also led away 1× Luke 23:32
were brought 1× Luke 4:40
will bring 1× 1 Thessalonians 4:14
you are led by 1× Galatians 5:18
you have brought 1× Acts 19:37
you were influenced 1× 1 Corinthians 12:2
you will be brought 1× Matthew 10:18
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 10:18 ἀχθήσεσθε to you will be brought Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural Matthew 21:2 ἀγάγετέ to [and] bring [them] Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Matthew 21:7 ἤγαγον to They brought Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Matthew 26:46 ἄγωμεν to let us go Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural Mark 1:38 Ἄγωμεν to Let us go Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural Mark 13:11 ἄγωσιν to they arrest Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural Mark 14:42 ἄγωμεν to let us go Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural Luke 4:1 ἤγετο to was led Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Luke 4:9 Ἤγαγεν to [the devil] led Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Luke 4:29 ἤγαγον to led Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 10:18
Aligned rows 69
Books represented 12
Matthew 4 Mark 3 Luke 13 John 13 Acts 26 Romans 2 1 Corinthians 1 Galatians 1 1 Thessalonians 1 2 Timothy 2 Hebrews 1 James 2
Source forms
ἤγαγον 13x ēgagon Matthew 21:7, Luke 4:29, Luke 4:40, Luke 19:35
ἤγαγεν 6x ēgagen Luke 10:34, John 19:13, Acts 9:27, Acts 11:26
ἄγωμεν 4x agōmen Matthew 26:46, Mark 14:42, John 11:15, John 14:31
ἀχθῆναι 4x achthēnai Luke 18:40, Acts 5:21, Acts 25:6, Acts 25:17
Ἄγωμεν 3x Agōmen Mark 1:38, John 11:7, John 11:16
ἀγαγεῖν 2x agagein John 10:16, Acts 23:18
ἀγάγετε 2x agagete Luke 19:27, Luke 19:30
ἀγάγῃ 2x agagē Acts 9:2, Acts 9:21
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 13x Matthew 21:7, Luke 4:29, Luke 4:40, Luke 19:35
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 8x Luke 4:9, Luke 10:34, John 1:42, John 19:13
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural 7x Matthew 26:46, Mark 1:38, Mark 14:42, John 11:7
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive 4x Luke 18:40, Acts 5:21, Acts 25:6, Acts 25:17
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural 3x Matthew 21:2, Luke 19:27, Luke 19:30
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular 3x 2 Timothy 4:11, James 4:13, James 5:1
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural 3x John 8:3, John 9:13, John 18:28
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural 2x John 7:45, Acts 19:37
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Test claimed spiritual leading by Scripture’s call to holiness, Christlike suffering, adoption, and hope.
- Bring people toward Jesus without controlling the response or replacing His personal authority.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that ἄγω always describes benevolent guidance, divine leading, or voluntary movement.
- Do not claim that Spirit-leading in Romans 8 is a promise of easy decisions, safety, or freedom from suffering.
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. Physical conveyance or metaphorical direction; implies active leadership or compulsion rather than mere accompaniment.
Source Gloss
to bring
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 74 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 10:18 Verb Second Person Plural Future Passive Indicative
ἀχθήσεσθε acqhsesqe
I lead
Read verse Matthew 14:6 Verb Present Passive Participle Genitive Plural Neuter
ἀγομένων agomenwn
I lead
Read verse Matthew 21:2 Verb Second Person Plural Second Aorist Active Imperative
ἀγάγετέ agagete
I lead
Read verse Matthew 21:7 Verb Third Person Plural Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγον hgagon
I lead
Read verse Matthew 26:46 Verb First Person Plural Present Active Subjunctive
ἄγωμεν. agwmen
I lead
Read verse Mark 1:38 Verb First Person Plural Present Active Subjunctive
Ἄγωμεν agwmen
I lead
Read verse Mark 11:2 Verb Second Person Plural Second Aorist Active Imperative
ἀγάγετε. agagete
I lead
Read verse Mark 11:7 Verb Third Person Plural Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγον hgagon
I lead
Read verse Mark 13:9 Verb Second Person Plural Future Passive Indicative
ἀχθήσεσθε acqhsesqe
I lead
Read verse Mark 13:11 Verb Third Person Plural Second Aorist Active Subjunctive
ἀγάγωσιν agagwsin
I lead
Read verse Mark 14:42 Verb First Person Plural Present Active Subjunctive
ἄγωμεν· agwmen
I lead
Read verse Luke 4:1 Verb Third Person Singular Imperfect Passive Indicative
ἤγετο hgeto
I lead
Read verse Luke 4:9 Verb Third Person Singular Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγεν hgagen
I lead
Read verse Luke 4:29 Verb Third Person Plural Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγον hgagon
I lead
Read verse Luke 4:40 Verb Third Person Plural Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγον hgagon
I lead
Read verse Luke 10:34 Verb Third Person Singular Second Aorist Active Indicative
ἤγαγεν hgagen
I lead
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 68 Tenses Aorist, Present, Future, Imperfect Voices Active, Passive
Tenses
Voices
Indicative states a fact or reality 39×
Aorist Active Matt 21:7 · Luke 4:29 · Luke 4:40 · Luke 19:35 · Luke 22:54 · Luke 23:1 · John 18:13 · Acts 6:12 · Acts 17:15 · Acts 17:19 · Acts 18:12 · Acts 20:12 · Acts 23:31 · Luke 4:9 · Luke 10:34 · John 1:42 24×
Present Active Luke 24:21 · Rom 2:4 · John 9:13 · John 18:28 · John 19:4 5×
Present Passive Acts 19:38 · Rom 8:14 · Gal 5:18 3×
Imperfect Passive Luke 4:1 · Luke 23:32 · 1 Cor 12:2 3×
Aorist Passive Acts 8:32 · Acts 25:23 2×
Future Passive Matt 10:18 1×
Future Active 1 Thess 4:14 1×
Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 10×
Present Active Matt 26:46 · Mark 1:38 · Mark 14:42 · John 11:7 · John 11:15 · John 11:16 · John 14:31 · Mark 13:11 8×
Aorist Active Acts 9:2 · Acts 9:21 2×
Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 8×
Aorist Passive Luke 18:40 · Acts 5:21 · Acts 25:6 · Acts 25:17 4×
Aorist Active John 10:16 · Acts 23:18 2×
Present Passive Acts 21:34 1×
Present Active Acts 23:10 1×
Imperative command or strong request 6×
Aorist Active Matt 21:2 · Luke 19:27 · Luke 19:30 3×
Present Active 2 Tim 4:11 · Jas 4:13 · Jas 5:1 3×
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 5×
Aorist Active Acts 5:27 · Heb 2:10 2×
Present Active Acts 21:16 1×
Future Active Acts 22:5 1×
Present Passive 2 Tim 3:6 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 67 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist 39 present 22 imperfect 3 future 3
Voice
active 52 passive 15
Mood
indicative 40 subjunctive 10 infinitive 8 participle 5 imperative 4
NT Occurrences
Matthew 10:18 ἀχθήσεσθε future passive indicative prospective Matthew 21:2 ἀγάγετέ aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 21:7 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Matthew 26:46 ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive Mark 1:38 Ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive Mark 13:11 ἄγωσιν present active subjunctive subjunctive Mark 14:42 ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive Luke 4:1 ἤγετο imperfect passive indicative background Luke 4:29 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Luke 4:40 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Luke 4:9 Ἤγαγεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 10:34 ἤγαγεν aorist active indicative completed Luke 18:40 ἀχθῆναι aorist passive infinitive infinitive Luke 19:27 ἀγάγετε aorist active imperative imperative Luke 19:30 ἀγάγετε aorist active imperative imperative Luke 19:35 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Luke 22:54 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Luke 23:1 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Luke 23:32 Ἤγοντο imperfect passive indicative background Luke 24:21 ἄγει present active indicative ongoing John 1:42 ἤγαγεν aorist active indicative completed John 7:45 ἠγάγετε aorist active indicative completed John 8:3 ἄγουσιν present active indicative ongoing John 9:13 Ἄγουσιν present active indicative ongoing John 10:16 ἀγαγεῖν aorist active infinitive infinitive John 11:15 ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive John 11:16 Ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive John 11:7 Ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive John 14:31 ἄγωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive John 18:13 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed John 18:28 Ἄγουσιν present active indicative ongoing John 19:13 ἤγαγεν aorist active indicative completed John 19:4 ἄγω present active indicative ongoing Acts 5:21 ἀχθῆναι aorist passive infinitive infinitive Acts 5:26 ἤγαγεν aorist active indicative completed Acts 5:27 Ἀγαγόντες aorist active participle participle Acts 6:12 ἤγαγον aorist active indicative completed Acts 8:32 ἤχθη aorist passive indicative completed Acts 9:2 ἀγάγῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Acts 9:21 ἀγάγῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive
+27 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 lead, guide.
Showing 1 selected witness from 68 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
ἄγω is a primary verb - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Highlights that Spirit-led living marks true sonship. Romans 8:12-17
Canonical Themes
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
Being led does not by itself reveal whether the path is good. Andrew brings Simon to Jesus in love, while authorities bring disciples before rulers and lead Jesus into an unjust process ending at the cross. The same broad motion verb can describe welcome or coercion because agency and destination supply its moral force. Jesus also reframes hostile leading. Governors and kings become audiences for witness, and the Holy Spirit gives speech when disciples are handed over.
This does not make persecution good, but it shows that human control cannot imprison God’s testimony. Romans 8 then names the deepest positive leading in the selected passages. Those led by the Spirit belong to God as sons and daughters, put the deeds of the body to death, cry to the Father by the Spirit of adoption, suffer with Christ, and await glory. Spirit-leading is therefore not chiefly a method for choosing convenient options.
It is God’s personal agency forming a holy, assured, suffering, hopeful people in union with Christ.
Anchor passage
Rom.8.14
Doctrinal connections
- G4198 Poreuomai, to go or travel: the traveler’s movement differs from an agent leading or bringing another.
- G2064 Erchomai, to come or arrive: arrival describes movement from the traveler’s viewpoint rather than the leader’s agency.
- G3992 Pempō, to send or dispatch: sending initiates a journey, while ἄγω foregrounds leading or bringing.
- G649 Apostellō, to send with purpose: commission and leading overlap in mission but answer different agency questions.
- G4151 Pneuma, Spirit: Romans 8 defines the divine agent whose leading marks God’s children.
- G3860 Paradidōmi, to hand over: Passion and persecution scenes join leading with custody and transfer to authorities.
The verb can be active or passive and may be translated lead, bring, take, or arrest according to agency and setting. A passive form can foreground the person moved under another’s control. The broad lexical range requires attention to who exercises agency and whether the movement is voluntary, guided, or coerced.
From Old to New Testament
The Lord leads Israel from slavery, shepherds His people, brings exiles home, and condemns leaders who misdirect the flock. The New Testament shows Jesus brought through suffering to the cross and the Spirit leading God’s adopted children in holy life and hope.
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