2723. katégoreó
Lexical Summary
katégoreó: To accuse, to charge

Original Word: κατηγορέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katégoreó
Pronunciation: kat-ay-gor-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ay-gor-eh'-o)
KJV: accuse, object
NASB: accuse, accused, accusing, accuses, accusation against, bring against, charges they bring against
Word Origin: [from G2725 (κατήγορος - Accuser)]

1. to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
accuse, object.

From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence -- accuse, object.

see GREEK kategoros

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and agoreuó (to speak in the assembly)
Definition
to make accusation
NASB Translation
accusation against (1), accuse (10), accused (3), accuses (2), accusing (3), bring against (1), charges they bring against (1), charges you make (1), make accusation (1), prosecute (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2723: κατηγορέω

κατηγορέω, κατηγόρω; imperfect κατηγόρουν; future κατηγορήσω; 1 aorist κατηγόρησα; present passive κατηγοροῦμαι; (κατά and ἀγορεύω, properly, to speak against (cf. κατά, III. 7) in court, in the assembly of the people), to accuse;

a. before a judge: absolutely (to make accusation), Acts 24:2, 19; τίνος, to accuse one, Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7 T Tr text WH; R L Tr brackets; ; John 8:6; Acts 25:5; Acts 28:19; with the addition of a genitive of the thing of which one is accused (as Demosthenes 515 at the end): Acts 24:8; Acts 25:11 (unless it be thought preferable to regard the relative in these instances as in the genitive by attraction (so Buttmann, § 132, 16 at the end), since the common construction in Greek authors is κατηγόρουν τί τίνος, cf. Matthiae, § 370 Anm. 2, p. 849f, and § 378, p. 859; cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 9a.); τίνος περί τίνος, Acts 24:13 (Thucydides 8, 85; Xenophon, Hell. 1, 7, 2); with the genitive of person and accusative of the thing, Mark 15:3 (unless πολλά should be taken adverbially: much, vehemently); πόσα, Mark 15:4 L T Tr WH (Euripides, Or. 28); followed by κατά with the genitive of person, Luke 23:14 (Xenophon, Hell. 1, 7, 9 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 28, 1; p. 431 (402); Buttmann, § 132, 16)); passive to be accused (as 2 Macc. 10:13; Xenophon, Hell. 3, 5, 25; cf. Buttmann, § 134, 4): ὑπό τίνος, Matthew 27:12; Acts 22:30 L T Tr WH for Rec. παρά (τό τί κτλ., why (A. V. wherefore) he was accused; unless it is to be explained, what accusation was brought forward etc.); κατηγορούμενος, Acts 25:16.

b. of an extra-judicial accusation (Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 4): absolutely, Romans 2:15; τίνος, John 5:45 (cf. Buttmann, 295 (254)); Revelation 12:10 R G Tr: solecistically τινα, Revelation 12:10 L T WH (cf. Buttmann, § 132, 16). [SYNONYMS: αἰτίασθαι, διαβάλλειν, ἐγκάλειν, ἐπικάλειν, κατηγορεῖν: αἰτίασθαι to accuse with primary reference to the ground of accusation (αἰτία), the crime; κατηγορεῖν to accuse formally and before a tribunal bring a charge against (κατά suggestive of animosity) publicly; ἐγκάλειν, to accuse with publicity (καλεῖν), but not necessarily formally or before a tribunal; ἐπικάλειν 'to cry out upon' suggestive of publicity and hostility; διαβάλλειν, properly, to make a verbal assault which reaches its goal (διά); in distinction from the words which allude to authorship (αἰτιάομαι), to judicial procedure (κατηγορέω), or to open averment (ἐγκαλέω, ἐπικαλέω), διαβάλλω expresses the giving currency to a damaging insinuation. διάβολος a secret and calumnious, in distinction from κατήγορος an open and formal, accuser. Schmidt, chapter 5.]

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s 2723 gathers the New Testament’s witness to the act of formal accusation. The verb appears in juridical, political and spiritual settings, each instance illumining the character of the accuser, the condition of the accused, and the divine standard of justice to which every human tribunal is ultimately accountable.

Distribution in the Canon

The word surfaces 23 times, clustered in the Gospels, Acts and once each in Romans and Revelation. The Synoptics picture courtroom hostility toward Jesus; John highlights self-righteous accusation; Acts traces repeated charges against believers; Romans exposes the accusing conscience; Revelation unveils the cosmic accuser finally cast down.

Accusers versus the Righteous

1. Religious hostility. Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7 record scribes and Pharisees “watching Jesus to see whether He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.” Their eagerness reveals hearts more concerned with legal leverage than with mercy.
2. Political manipulation. Luke 23:2 reports the leaders shouting, “We found this man subverting our nation.” They shift from theological criticism to treason charges when standing before Pilate, demonstrating how accusation can be weaponized to mask envy (Mark 15:10).
3. Self-justification unmasked. John 5:45 shows that the Law itself, personified in Moses, accuses those who trust in obedience for righteousness. Jesus warns, “There is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you have put your hope.” The greatest accuser of legalists is the very statute they claim to honor.

Christ, the Innocent One Under Accusation

Matthew 27:12 observes, “When He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.” His silence fulfills Isaiah’s Servant prophecy and exposes the emptiness of the charges (see also Mark 15:3-4; Luke 23:10, 14). Jesus endures false indictment so that those truly guilty might be justified (2 Corinthians 5:21). The cross therefore transforms wrongful accusation into redemptive vindication.

Apostolic Experience

Acts records six occurrences (24:2, 8, 13, 19; 25:5, 16; 28:19), portraying Paul as a defendant before both Jewish councils and Roman governors.
• In Caesarea, Tertullus flatters Felix, then alleges, “We have found this man to be a plague” (Acts 24:5).
• Paul insists, “They cannot prove to you what they now accuse me of” (Acts 24:13).
• Festus summarizes Roman due process: “It is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers” (Acts 25:16).

Through these narratives Luke showcases the gospel’s integrity under scrutiny and God’s providence in turning legal attacks into missionary platforms.

Accusation in the Human Heart

Romans 2:15 shifts the arena from courtrooms to conscience: Gentiles “show that the work of the Law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or defending them.” Even without Mosaic revelation, humanity stands self-indicted, confirming universal guilt and the necessity of grace.

Accusation in the Heavenly Court

Revelation 12:10 climaxes the theme: “For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down.” Earthly accusers mirror the malicious intent of Satan, yet his expulsion by Christ’s blood guarantees the final vindication of believers. No further prosecution can stand, for the Judge Himself has paid the penalty.

Pastoral Implications

• Discernment. Believers must distinguish legitimate rebuke (Galatians 2:11-14) from malicious accusation.
• Integrity under fire. Jesus and Paul answer—or refuse to answer—according to what most honors God, teaching flexibility shaped by truth and love.
• Advocacy. While Satan prosecutes, Jesus intercedes (1 John 2:1). The church is called to echo the Advocate, not the accuser, restoring the repentant (James 5:19-20).

Connection with the Gospel

Every occurrence of 2723 drives the reader to the cross. False charges against Christ secure true acquittal for sinners; human legal systems, whether fair or corrupt, foreshadow the ultimate tribunal where only the righteousness of Christ prevails. Therefore, “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33).

Forms and Transliterations
κατηγορειν κατηγορείν κατηγορεῖν κατηγορεισθαι κατηγορείσθαι κατηγορεῖσθαι κατηγορειται κατηγορεῖται κατηγορειτε κατηγορείτε κατηγορεῖτε κατηγορειτωσαν κατηγορείτωσαν κατηγορήσαι κατηγορησω κατηγορήσω κατηγορησωσιν κατηγορήσωσιν κατηγορουμεν κατηγορούμεν κατηγοροῦμεν κατηγορουμενος κατηγορούμενος κατηγορουν κατηγόρουν κατηγορουντες κατηγορούντες κατηγοροῦντες κατηγορουντων κατηγορούντων κατηγορούσι κατηγορούσί κατηγορουσιν κατηγοροῦσιν κατηγοροῦσίν κατηγορων κατηγορών κατηγορῶν kategorein kategoreîn katēgorein katēgoreîn kategoreisthai kategoreîsthai katēgoreisthai katēgoreîsthai kategoreitai kategoreîtai katēgoreitai katēgoreîtai kategoreite kategoreîte katēgoreite katēgoreîte kategoreitosan kategoreítosan katēgoreitōsan katēgoreítōsan kategoreso kategorḗso katēgorēsō katēgorḗsō kategoresosin kategorḗsosin katēgorēsōsin katēgorḗsōsin kategoron kategorôn katēgorōn katēgorō̂n kategoroumen kategoroûmen katēgoroumen katēgoroûmen kategoroumenos kategoroúmenos katēgoroumenos katēgoroúmenos kategoroun kategóroun katēgoroun katēgóroun kategorountes kategoroûntes katēgorountes katēgoroûntes kategorounton kategoroúnton katēgorountōn katēgoroúntōn kategorousin kategoroûsin kategoroûsín katēgorousin katēgoroûsin katēgoroûsín
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 12:10 V-ASA-3P
GRK: θεραπεῦσαι ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ
NAS: so that they might accuse Him.
KJV: that they might accuse him.
INT: to heal that they might accuse him

Matthew 27:12 V-PNM/P
GRK: ἐν τῷ κατηγορεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ
NAS: And while He was being accused by the chief priests
KJV: he was accused of
INT: in the [time when] was accused he by

Mark 3:2 V-ASA-3P
GRK: αὐτόν ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ
NAS: so that they might accuse Him.
KJV: that they might accuse him.
INT: him in order that they might accuse him

Mark 15:3 V-IIA-3P
GRK: καὶ κατηγόρουν αὐτοῦ οἱ
NAS: The chief priests [began] to accuse Him harshly.
KJV: the chief priests accused him
INT: And were accusing him the

Mark 15:4 V-PIA-3P
GRK: πόσα σου κατηγοροῦσιν
NAS: how many charges they bring against You!
INT: of how many things you they witness against

Luke 6:7 V-PNA
GRK: ἵνα εὕρωσιν κατηγορεῖν αὐτοῦ
NAS: that they might find [reason] to accuse Him.
INT: that they might find an accusation against him

Luke 23:2 V-PNA
GRK: ἤρξαντο δὲ κατηγορεῖν αὐτοῦ λέγοντες
NAS: And they began to accuse Him, saying,
KJV: And they began to accuse him, saying,
INT: they began moreover to accuse him saying

Luke 23:10 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: γραμματεῖς εὐτόνως κατηγοροῦντες αὐτοῦ
NAS: were standing there, accusing Him vehemently.
KJV: stood and vehemently accused him.
INT: scribes violently accusing him

Luke 23:14 V-PIA-2P
GRK: αἴτιον ὧν κατηγορεῖτε κατ' αὐτοῦ
NAS: man regarding the charges which
KJV: whereof ye accuse him:
INT: faulty [as to the things] of which you bring accusation against him

John 5:45 V-FIA-1S
GRK: ὅτι ἐγὼ κατηγορήσω ὑμῶν πρὸς
NAS: Do not think that I will accuse you before
KJV: that I will accuse you to
INT: that I will accuse you to

John 5:45 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἔστιν ὁ κατηγορῶν ὑμῶν Μωυσῆς
NAS: the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses,
KJV: there is [one] that accuseth you,
INT: there is [one] who accuses you Moses

John 8:6 V-PNA
GRK: ἵνα ἔχωσιν κατηγορεῖν αὐτοῦ ὁ
NAS: that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus
KJV: they might have to accuse him.
INT: that they might have to accuse him

Acts 22:30 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: τὸ τί κατηγορεῖται ὑπὸ τῶν
NAS: why he had been accused by the Jews,
KJV: wherefore he was accused of
INT: the why he is accused by the

Acts 24:2 V-PNA
GRK: αὐτοῦ ἤρξατο κατηγορεῖν ὁ Τέρτυλλος
NAS: began to accuse him, saying
KJV: began to accuse [him], saying,
INT: of him began to accuse [him] Tertullus

Acts 24:8 V-PIA-1P
GRK: ὧν ἡμεῖς κατηγοροῦμεν αὐτοῦ
NAS: the things of which we accuse him.
KJV: whereof we accuse him.
INT: of which we accuse him

Acts 24:13 V-PIA-3P
GRK: ὧν νυνὶ κατηγοροῦσίν μου
NAS: they now accuse me.
KJV: they now accuse me.
INT: [the things] of which now they accuse me

Acts 24:19 V-PNA
GRK: παρεῖναι καὶ κατηγορεῖν εἴ τι
NAS: before you and to make accusation, if
KJV: thee, and object, if they had
INT: to appear and to accuse if anything

Acts 25:5 V-PMA-3P
GRK: ἀνδρὶ ἄτοπον κατηγορείτωσαν αὐτοῦ
NAS: the man, let them prosecute him.
KJV: go down with [me], and accuse this
INT: man wrong let them accuse him

Acts 25:11 V-PIA-3P
GRK: ὧν οὗτοι κατηγοροῦσίν μου οὐδείς
NAS: these men accuse me, no one
KJV: whereof these accuse me,
INT: of which they accuse me no one

Acts 25:16 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: ἢ ὁ κατηγορούμενος κατὰ πρόσωπον
NAS: before the accused meets
KJV: that he which is accused have
INT: that the [one] being accused to face

Acts 28:19 V-PNA
GRK: ἔχων τι κατηγορεῖν
NAS: any accusation against my nation.
KJV: my nation of.
INT: having anything to lay against

Romans 2:15 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: τῶν λογισμῶν κατηγορούντων ἢ καὶ
NAS: alternately accusing or
KJV: [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or
INT: the thoughts accusing or also

Revelation 12:10 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἡμῶν ὁ κατηγορῶν αὐτοὺς ἐνώπιον
NAS: has been thrown down, he who accuses them before
KJV: for the accuser of our
INT: of us who accuses them before

Strong's Greek 2723
23 Occurrences


κατηγορήσω — 1 Occ.
κατηγορήσωσιν — 2 Occ.
κατηγορεῖν — 6 Occ.
κατηγορεῖσθαι — 1 Occ.
κατηγορεῖται — 1 Occ.
κατηγορεῖτε — 1 Occ.
κατηγορείτωσαν — 1 Occ.
κατηγορῶν — 2 Occ.
κατηγοροῦμεν — 1 Occ.
κατηγορούμενος — 1 Occ.
κατηγόρουν — 1 Occ.
κατηγοροῦντες — 1 Occ.
κατηγορούντων — 1 Occ.
κατηγοροῦσιν — 3 Occ.

2722
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