"pluperfect, ἐπεποίθειν, to persuade, seek to persuade, endeavor to convince, Acts 18:4; 19:8, 26; 28:23; to persuade, influence by persuasion, Mt. 27:20; Acts 13:43; 26:28; to incite, instigate, Acts 14:19; to appease, render tranquil, to quiet, 1 Jn. 3:19; to strive to conciliat..."
Definition and meaning
pluperfect, ἐπεποίθειν, to persuade, seek to persuade, endeavor to convince, Acts 18:4; 19:8, 26; 28:23; to persuade, influence by persuasion, Mt. 27:20; Acts 13:43; 26:28; to incite, instigate, Acts 14:19; to appease, render tranquil, to quiet, 1 Jn. 3:19; to strive to conciliate, aspire to the favor of, Gal. 1:10; to pacify, conciliate, win over, Mt. 28:14; Acts 12:20; pass. and mid. to be persuaded of, be confident of, Lk. 20:6; Rom. 8:38; Heb. 6:9; to suffer one’s self to be persuaded, yield to persuasion, to be induced, Acts 21:14; to be convinced, to believe, yield belief, Lk. 16:31; Acts 17:4; to assent, listen to, obey, follow, Acts 5:36, 37, 40; 2 perf. πέποιθα, to be assured, be confident, 2 Cor. 2:3; Phil. 1:6; Heb. 13:18; to confide in, trust, rely on, place hope and confidence in, Mt. 27:43; Mk. 10:24; Rom. 2:19
In the original Greek the word is written: πείθω
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 peitho (G3982) across the King James Bible.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
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Common questions
Strong's G3982 (peitho) is a Greek word that means: pluperfect, ἐπεποίθειν, to persuade, seek to persuade, endeavor to convince, Acts 18:4; 19:8, 26; 28:23; to persuade, influence by persuasion, Mt. 27:20; Acts 13:43; 26:28; to incite, instigate, Acts ... It appears 55 times in the King James Bible.
The word peitho (G3982) appears 55 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3982 is peitho, a Greek word defined as: pluperfect, ἐπεποίθειν, to persuade, seek to persuade, endeavor to convince, Acts 18:4; 19:8, 26; 28:23; to persuade, influence by persuasion, Mt. 27:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
peitho is a Greek word found in the New Testament.