"expelled or excluded from the synagogue, excommunicated, cut off from the rights and privileges of a Jew, excluded from society, Jn. 9:22; 12:42; 16:2*"
Definition and meaning
expelled or excluded from the synagogue, excommunicated, cut off from the rights and privileges of a Jew, excluded from society, Jn. 9:22; 12:42; 16:2*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀποσυνάγωγος
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
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 aposynagogos (G656) across the King James Bible.
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
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Common questions
Strong's G656 (aposynagogos) is a Greek word that means: expelled or excluded from the synagogue, excommunicated, cut off from the rights and privileges of a Jew, excluded from society, Jn. 9:22; 12:42; 16:2* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word aposynagogos (G656) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G656 is aposynagogos, a Greek word defined as: expelled or excluded from the synagogue, excommunicated, cut off from the rights and privileges of a Jew, excluded from society, Jn. 9:22; 12:42; 16:2. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
aposynagogos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.