"to be silent, keep silence, Lk. 9:36; 20:26; Acts 15:12f.; 1 Cor. 14:28, 30, 34; Lk. 18:39; trans. to keep in silence, not to reveal, to conceal; pass. to be concealed, not to be revealed, Rom. 16:25*"
Definition and meaning
to be silent, keep silence, Lk. 9:36; 20:26; Acts 15:12f.; 1 Cor. 14:28, 30, 34; Lk. 18:39; trans. to keep in silence, not to reveal, to conceal; pass. to be concealed, not to be revealed, Rom. 16:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: σιγάω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 sigao (G4601) across the King James Bible.
And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
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 G4601 (sigao) is a Greek word that means: to be silent, keep silence, Lk. 9:36; 20:26; Acts 15:12f.; 1 Cor. 14:28, 30, 34; Lk. 18:39; trans. to keep in silence, not to reveal, to conceal; pass. to be concealed, not to be revealed, Rom. 16:25* It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word sigao (G4601) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4601 is sigao, a Greek word defined as: to be silent, keep silence, Lk. 9:36; 20:26; Acts 15:12f.; 1 Cor. 14:28, 30, 34; Lk. 18:39; trans. to keep in silence, not to reveal, to conceal; pass. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sigao is a Greek word found in the New Testament.