"to speak against, accuse, Mt. 12:10; 27:12; Jn. 5:45"
Definition and meaning
to speak against, accuse, Mt. 12:10; 27:12; Jn. 5:45
In the original Greek the word is written: κατηγορέω
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 kategoreo (G2723) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
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Common questions
Strong's G2723 (kategoreo) is a Greek word that means: to speak against, accuse, Mt. 12:10; 27:12; Jn. 5:45 It appears 21 times in the King James Bible.
The word kategoreo (G2723) appears 21 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2723 is kategoreo, a Greek word defined as: to speak against, accuse, Mt. 12:10; 27:12; Jn. 5:45. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kategoreo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.