"to cause evil, injure, do harm, Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; to do evil, commit sin, 1 Pet. 3:17; 3 Jn. 11*"
Definition and meaning
to cause evil, injure, do harm, Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; to do evil, commit sin, 1 Pet. 3:17; 3 Jn. 11*
In the original Greek the word is written: κακοποιέω
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 kakopoieo (G2554) across the King James Bible.
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
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Common questions
Strong's G2554 (kakopoieo) is a Greek word that means: to cause evil, injure, do harm, Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; to do evil, commit sin, 1 Pet. 3:17; 3 Jn. 11* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word kakopoieo (G2554) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2554 is kakopoieo, a Greek word defined as: to cause evil, injure, do harm, Mk. 3:4; Lk. 6:9; to do evil, commit sin, 1 Pet. 3:17; 3 Jn. 11*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kakopoieo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.