Lexical Summary katégoreó: To accuse, to charge Original Word: κατηγορέω 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 Originfrom 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: κατηγορέωκατηγορέω, 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; 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). 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. 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. 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. 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). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 12:10 V-ASA-3PGRK: 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 Mark 3:2 V-ASA-3P Mark 15:3 V-IIA-3P Mark 15:4 V-PIA-3P Luke 6:7 V-PNA Luke 23:2 V-PNA Luke 23:10 V-PPA-NMP Luke 23:14 V-PIA-2P John 5:45 V-FIA-1S John 5:45 V-PPA-NMS John 8:6 V-PNA Acts 22:30 V-PIM/P-3S Acts 24:2 V-PNA Acts 24:8 V-PIA-1P Acts 24:13 V-PIA-3P Acts 24:19 V-PNA Acts 25:5 V-PMA-3P Acts 25:11 V-PIA-3P Acts 25:16 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 28:19 V-PNA Romans 2:15 V-PPA-GMP Revelation 12:10 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 2723 |
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