"to defend one’s self against a charge, to make a defence, Lk. 12:11; 21:14"
Definition and meaning
to defend one’s self against a charge, to make a defence, Lk. 12:11; 21:14
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀπολογέομαι
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 apologeomai (G626) across the King James Bible.
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
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Common questions
Strong's G626 (apologeomai) is a Greek word that means: to defend one’s self against a charge, to make a defence, Lk. 12:11; 21:14 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word apologeomai (G626) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G626 is apologeomai, a Greek word defined as: to defend one’s self against a charge, to make a defence, Lk. 12:11; 21:14. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apologeomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.