"to send forth a messenger, agent, message, or command, Mt. 2:16; 10:5; to put forth into action, Mk. 4:29; to liberate, rid, Lk. 4:19; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 12:3"
Definition and meaning
to send forth a messenger, agent, message, or command, Mt. 2:16; 10:5; to put forth into action, Mk. 4:29; to liberate, rid, Lk. 4:19; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 12:3
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀποστέλλω
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 apostello (G649) across the King James Bible.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G649 (apostello) is a Greek word that means: to send forth a messenger, agent, message, or command, Mt. 2:16; 10:5; to put forth into action, Mk. 4:29; to liberate, rid, Lk. 4:19; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 12:3 It appears 130 times in the King James Bible.
The word apostello (G649) appears 130 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G649 is apostello, a Greek word defined as: to send forth a messenger, agent, message, or command, Mt. 2:16; 10:5; to put forth into action, Mk. 4:29; to liberate, rid, Lk. 4:19; to dismiss, sen. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apostello is a Greek word found in the New Testament.