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Greek verb · G1377

διώκω

diokodee-o'-ko

to put to flight, drive away; to pursue

45 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key

Concordance spelling: diṓkō

Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G1377is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.

  • 15 of 27
    New Testament books
  • 26
    spellings
  • 2
    meanings

The definition in full

Strong's key (1890) · G1377

compare the base of and )

The King James renders it: ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.

James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.

Summary

dioko is rendered "to put to flight, drive away; to pursue". It stands 45 times in the Greek text, across fifteen books.

  • Nine of the uses stand in Acts, more than in any other book.
  • The lexicon lists two meanings for it, beginning with "to put to flight, drive away".
  • Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • The Greek text spells it twenty-six different ways.

The first use

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10δεδιωγμένοι

The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.

Where the word stands

The word stands in fifteen of the 27 New Testament books.

The other 12 New Testament books never use the word.

What the word means

The word carries two meanings: to put to flight, drive away, and to pursue.

Each meaning, and the words it is translated by

The English STEP Bible gives each use, word by word, and how many times.
to put to flight, drive awayMat.23:34.Tagged as
  • do pursue4
  • persecuting4
  • are persecuting3
  • pursuing3
  • being persecuted2
  • persecute you2
  • they may persecute2
  • they persecuted2

and 14 more, 37 uses in all

WhereMatthew 23:34Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers…
to pursue__(a) of personsTagged as
  • I was persecuting2
  • persecuted2
  • he pursued1
  • may follow1
  • were persecuting1
  • will pursue1
WhereMatthew 5:10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…

The words built on the same word-part

Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.

διώκτηςdioktespersecutorUses1

All 45, in canonical order

Every use, in order

Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.

26 spellings and their grammar

STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.

How it is spelled

  • διώκεις6
  • διώκετε3
  • διώκων3
  • διώξουσιν3
  • ἐδίωκον3
  • ἐδίωξαν3
  • δίωκε2
  • διωκόμενοι2
  • διώκω2
  • ἐδίωξα2
  • δεδιωγμένοι1
  • διώκομαι1

and 14 more spellings in the ledger below.

The grammar of each form

  • verb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singular6V-PAI-2S
  • verb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person plural3V-AAI-3P
  • verb · future active, indicative · 3rd person plural3V-FAI-3P
  • verb · present active, command · 2nd person plural3V-PAM-2P
  • verb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine singular3V-PAP-NSM
  • verb · aorist active, indicative · 1st person singular2V-AAI-1S
  • verb · imperfect active, indicative · 1st person singular2V-IAI-1S
  • verb · present active, indicative · 1st person singular2V-PAI-1S
  • verb · present active, command · 2nd person singular2V-PAM-2S
  • verb · present passive, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine plural2V-PPP-NPM
  • verb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person singular1V-AAI-3S
  • verb · aorist active, command · 3rd person singular1V-AAM-3S

Matthew

six uses
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    Matthew 5:10

    • δεδιωγμένοιdediogmenoiverb · perfect passive, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: persecuted
  • Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

    Matthew 5:11

    • διώξωσινdioxosinverb · aorist active, subjunctive · 3rd person pluraltagged: they may persecute
  • Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

    Matthew 5:12

    • ἐδίωξανedioxanverb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: they persecuted
  • But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

    Matthew 5:44

    • διωκόντωνdiokontonverb · present active, participle · genitive (“of”) · masculine pluraltagged: persecuting
  • When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

    Matthew 10:23

    • διώκωσινdiokosinverb · present active, subjunctive · 3rd person pluraltagged: they may persecute
  • Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town.

    Matthew 23:34

    • διώξετεdioxeteverb · future active, indicative · 2nd person pluraltagged: will persecute

Luke

three uses
  • Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’

    Luke 11:49

    • διώξουσινdioxousinverb · future active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: will pursue
  • People will tell you, ‘Look, there He is!’ or ‘Look, here He is!’ Do not go out or chase after them.

    Luke 17:23

    • διώξητεdioxeteverb · aorist active, subjunctive · 2nd person pluraltagged: may follow
  • But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors.

    Luke 21:12

    • διώξουσινdioxousinverb · future active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: will persecute

John

three uses
  • Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him.

    John 5:16

    • ἐδίωκονediokonverb · imperfect active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: were persecuting
  • Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

    John 15:20

    • ἐδίωξανedioxanverb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: they persecuted
    • διώξουσινdioxousinverb · future active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: they will persecute

Acts

nine uses
  • Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

    Acts 7:52

    • ἐδίωξανedioxanverb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: did persecute
  • He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

    Acts 9:4

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: do you persecute
  • “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.

    Acts 9:5

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: are persecuting
  • I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,

    Acts 22:4

    • ἐδίωξαedioxaverb · aorist active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: persecuted
  • I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

    Acts 22:7

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: persecute you
  • ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.

    Acts 22:8

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: are persecuting
  • I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

    Acts 26:11

    • ἐδίωκονediokonverb · imperfect active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: I was persecuting
  • We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

    Acts 26:14

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: persecute you
  • ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.

    Acts 26:15

    • διώκειςdiokeisverb · present active, indicative · 2nd person singulartagged: are persecuting

Romans

five uses
  • What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;

    Romans 9:30

    • διώκονταdiokontaverb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · neuter pluraltagged: pursuing
  • but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.

    Romans 9:31

    • διώκωνdiokonverb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: pursuing
  • Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

    Romans 12:13

    • διώκοντεςdiokontesverb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: pursuing
  • Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

    Romans 12:14

    • διώκονταςdiokontasverb · present active, participle · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: persecuting
  • So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

    Romans 14:19

    • διώκωμενdiokomenverb · present active, subjunctive · 1st person pluraltagged: we may pursue

1 Corinthians

three uses
  • We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

    1 Corinthians 4:12

    • διωκόμενοιdiokomenoiverb · present passive, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: being persecuted
  • Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

    1 Corinthians 14:1

    • Διώκετεdioketeverb · present active, command · 2nd person pluraltagged: do earnestly pursue
  • For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

    1 Corinthians 15:9

    • ἐδίωξαedioxaverb · aorist active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: I persecuted

2 Corinthians

one use
  • persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

    2 Corinthians 4:9

    • διωκόμενοιdiokomenoiverb · present passive, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: being persecuted

Galatians

five uses
  • For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

    Galatians 1:13

    • ἐδίωκονediokonverb · imperfect active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: I was persecuting
  • They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

    Galatians 1:23

    • διώκωνdiokonverb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: persecuting
  • At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

    Galatians 4:29

    • ἐδίωκενediokenverb · imperfect active, indicative · 3rd person singulartagged: he was persecuting
  • Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

    Galatians 5:11

    • διώκομαιdiokomaiverb · present passive, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: am I persecuted
  • Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

    Galatians 6:12

    • διώκωνταιdiokontaiverb · present passive, subjunctive · 3rd person pluraltagged: they may be persecuted

Philippians

three uses
  • as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

    Philippians 3:6

    • διώκωνdiokonverb · present active, participle · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: persecuting
  • Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

    Philippians 3:12

    • διώκωdiokoverb · present active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: I am pursuing
  • I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

    Philippians 3:14

    • διώκωdiokoverb · present active, indicative · 1st person singulartagged: I press on

1 Thessalonians

one use
  • Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

    1 Thessalonians 5:15

    • διώκετεdioketeverb · present active, command · 2nd person pluraltagged: do pursue

1 Timothy

one use
  • But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

    1 Timothy 6:11

    • δίωκεdiokeverb · present active, command · 2nd person singulartagged: do pursue

2 Timothy

two uses
  • Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

    2 Timothy 2:22

    • δίωκεdiokeverb · present active, command · 2nd person singulartagged: do pursue
  • Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

    2 Timothy 3:12

    • διωχθήσονταιdiochthesontaiverb · future passive, indicative · 3rd person pluraltagged: will be persecuted

Hebrews

one use
  • Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

    Hebrews 12:14

    • διώκετεdioketeverb · present active, command · 2nd person pluraltagged: do pursue

1 Peter

one use
  • He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

    1 Peter 3:11

    • διωξάτωdioxatoverb · aorist active, command · 3rd person singulartagged: he should pursue

Revelation

one use
  • And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

    Revelation 12:13

    • ἐδίωξενedioxenverb · aorist active, indicative · 3rd person singulartagged: he pursued

Where it leads

How the numbers are counted

Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.

Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.

The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.

Hebrew and Greek text, word tagging and grammar: STEP Bible (www.STEPBible.org), Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0. Their grammar codes are written out in English here and shown as tagged beside each one.

Meaning and senses: STEP Bible TBESG (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0), the Brief lexicon based on Abbott-Smith (1922).

Dictionary key: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890, public domain). English verse text: Berean Standard Bible (public domain, 2023).

Revised 2026-09-05. Every cited work, the sources registry →