"to make solemn affirmation, protest; to make a solemn and earnest charge, Lk. 16:28; Acts 2:40; to declare solemnly and earnestly, Acts 8:25; 18:5"
Definition and meaning
to make solemn affirmation, protest; to make a solemn and earnest charge, Lk. 16:28; Acts 2:40; to declare solemnly and earnestly, Acts 8:25; 18:5
In the original Greek the word is written: διαμαρτύρομαι
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 diamartyromai (G1263) across the King James Bible.
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
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Common questions
Strong's G1263 (diamartyromai) is a Greek word that means: to make solemn affirmation, protest; to make a solemn and earnest charge, Lk. 16:28; Acts 2:40; to declare solemnly and earnestly, Acts 8:25; 18:5 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word diamartyromai (G1263) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1263 is diamartyromai, a Greek word defined as: to make solemn affirmation, protest; to make a solemn and earnest charge, Lk. 16:28; Acts 2:40; to declare solemnly and earnestly, Acts 8:25; 18:5. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
diamartyromai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.