"to cast around; to clothe, Mt. 25:36, 38, 43; mid. to clothe one’s self, to be clothed, Mt. 6:29, 31; Lk. 23:11; Jn. 19:2; Acts 12:8; Rev. 4:4"
Definition and meaning
to cast around; to clothe, Mt. 25:36, 38, 43; mid. to clothe one’s self, to be clothed, Mt. 6:29, 31; Lk. 23:11; Jn. 19:2; Acts 12:8; Rev. 4:4
In the original Greek the word is written: περιβάλλω
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 periballo (G4016) across the King James Bible.
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4016 (periballo) is a Greek word that means: to cast around; to clothe, Mt. 25:36, 38, 43; mid. to clothe one’s self, to be clothed, Mt. 6:29, 31; Lk. 23:11; Jn. 19:2; Acts 12:8; Rev. 4:4 It appears 24 times in the King James Bible.
The word periballo (G4016) appears 24 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4016 is periballo, a Greek word defined as: to cast around; to clothe, Mt. 25:36, 38, 43; mid. to clothe one’s self, to be clothed, Mt. 6:29, 31; Lk. 23:11; Jn. 19:2; Acts 12:8; Rev. 4:4. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
periballo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.