"middle: to take leave of, bid farewell to, Lk. 9:61; Acts 18:18, 21; 2 Cor. 2:13; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 6:46; fig: to renounce, forsake, Lk. 14:33"
Definition and meaning
middle: to take leave of, bid farewell to, Lk. 9:61; Acts 18:18, 21; 2 Cor. 2:13; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 6:46; fig: to renounce, forsake, Lk. 14:33
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀποτάσσω
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
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 apotasso (G657) across the King James Bible.
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
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 G657 (apotasso) is a Greek word that means: middle: to take leave of, bid farewell to, Lk. 9:61; Acts 18:18, 21; 2 Cor. 2:13; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 6:46; fig: to renounce, forsake, Lk. 14:33 It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word apotasso (G657) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G657 is apotasso, a Greek word defined as: middle: to take leave of, bid farewell to, Lk. 9:61; Acts 18:18, 21; 2 Cor. 2:13; to dismiss, send away, Mk. 6:46; fig: to renounce, forsake, Lk. 14:3. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apotasso is a Greek word found in the New Testament.