"to wait, attend upon, serve, Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:31; Lk. 4:39; to be an attendant or assistant, Acts 19:22; to minister to, relieve, assist, or supply with the necessaries of life, provide the means of living, Mt. 4:11; 27:55; Mk. 1:13; 15:41; Lk. 8:3; to fill the office of διάκονος,..."
Definition and meaning
to wait, attend upon, serve, Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:31; Lk. 4:39; to be an attendant or assistant, Acts 19:22; to minister to, relieve, assist, or supply with the necessaries of life, provide the means of living, Mt. 4:11; 27:55; Mk. 1:13; 15:41; Lk. 8:3; to fill the office of διάκονος, deacon, perform the duties of deacon, 1 Tim. 3:10, 13; 1 Pet. 4:11; to convey in charge, administer, 2 Cor. 3:3; 8:19, 20; 1 Pet. 1:12; 4:10; pass. to receive service, Mt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45
In the original Greek the word is written: διακονέω
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 diakoneo (G1247) across the King James Bible.
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
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Common questions
Strong's G1247 (diakoneo) is a Greek word that means: to wait, attend upon, serve, Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:31; Lk. 4:39; to be an attendant or assistant, Acts 19:22; to minister to, relieve, assist, or supply with the necessaries of life, provide the means of li... It appears 32 times in the King James Bible.
The word diakoneo (G1247) appears 32 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1247 is diakoneo, a Greek word defined as: to wait, attend upon, serve, Mt. 8:15; Mk. 1:31; Lk. 4:39; to be an attendant or assistant, Acts 19:22; to minister to, relieve, assist, or supply wit. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
diakoneo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.