"to stretch out, Mt. 8:3; 12:13; to lay hands on any one, Lk. 22:53; to exert power and energy, Acts 4:30; to cast out, let down an anchor, Acts 27:30"
Definition and meaning
to stretch out, Mt. 8:3; 12:13; to lay hands on any one, Lk. 22:53; to exert power and energy, Acts 4:30; to cast out, let down an anchor, Acts 27:30
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐκτείνω
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 ekteino (G1614) across the King James Bible.
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
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Common questions
Strong's G1614 (ekteino) is a Greek word that means: to stretch out, Mt. 8:3; 12:13; to lay hands on any one, Lk. 22:53; to exert power and energy, Acts 4:30; to cast out, let down an anchor, Acts 27:30 It appears 14 times in the King James Bible.
The word ekteino (G1614) appears 14 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1614 is ekteino, a Greek word defined as: to stretch out, Mt. 8:3; 12:13; to lay hands on any one, Lk. 22:53; to exert power and energy, Acts 4:30; to cast out, let down an anchor, Acts 27:30. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ekteino is a Greek word found in the New Testament.