"to sound, utter a sound; of the cock, to crow, Mt. 26:34, 74, 75; to call, or cry out, exclaim, Lk. 8:8, 54; 16:24; 23:46; to call to, Mt. 27:47; Mk. 3:31; to call, Jn. 13:13; to call, summon, Mt. 20:32; to invite to a feast, Lk. 14:12"
Definition and meaning
to sound, utter a sound; of the cock, to crow, Mt. 26:34, 74, 75; to call, or cry out, exclaim, Lk. 8:8, 54; 16:24; 23:46; to call to, Mt. 27:47; Mk. 3:31; to call, Jn. 13:13; to call, summon, Mt. 20:32; to invite to a feast, Lk. 14:12
In the original Greek the word is written: φωνέω
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 phoneo (G5455) across the King James Bible.
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
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Common questions
Strong's G5455 (phoneo) is a Greek word that means: to sound, utter a sound; of the cock, to crow, Mt. 26:34, 74, 75; to call, or cry out, exclaim, Lk. 8:8, 54; 16:24; 23:46; to call to, Mt. 27:47; Mk. 3:31; to call, Jn. 13:13; to call, summon, Mt. 20:... It appears 38 times in the King James Bible.
The word phoneo (G5455) appears 38 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5455 is phoneo, a Greek word defined as: to sound, utter a sound; of the cock, to crow, Mt. 26:34, 74, 75; to call, or cry out, exclaim, Lk. 8:8, 54; 16:24; 23:46; to call to, Mt. 27:47; Mk. . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phoneo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.