"to follow; follow as a disciple; imitate"
Definition and meaning
to follow; follow as a disciple; imitate
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀκολουθέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of akoloutheo (G190) across the King James Bible.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
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Common questions
Strong's G190 (akoloutheo) is a Greek word that means: to follow; follow as a disciple; imitate It appears 88 times in the King James Bible.
The word akoloutheo (G190) appears 88 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G190 is akoloutheo, a Greek word defined as: to follow; follow as a disciple; imitate. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
akoloutheo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.