Greek word · G1925

ἐπιδείκνυμι

epideiknymi

to show/prove

To show, point out, exhibit; to display publicly; to demonstrate or prove by evidence.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπι-δείκνυμι

[in LXX: Proverbs 12:17 (פּוּחַ hi.), Isaiah 37:26 (בּוֹא hi.), Esp. Jer.59, 2Ma.15:32, al ;]

1. to show, exhibit, display: with accusative and dative, Matthew 16:1 22:19 24:1, Luke 17:14. Mid., to display for oneself or as one's own (but cf. El., § 55, 1): Acts 9:39.

2. to show, point out, prove: with accusative, Hebrews 6:17; with accusative and inf., Acts 18:28 (cf. MM, Exp., xiv).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 16:1

Range of meaning

To show, point out, exhibit; to display publicly; to demonstrate or prove by evidence.

Against the English

'Show' in all major versions. That is accurate, but plain 'show' loses some of the sense of a public demonstration offered as proof.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Hellenistic Greek it is used for public displays and for proving a point (compare Acts 18:28, Apollos 'showing' from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah; Heb 6:17). Related nouns were used for rhetorical show-pieces.

From the study of Acts 9:39

Range of meaning

To show, display or point out something so that it is seen (Matt 22:19, 'show me the coin'; 24:1, the disciples pointing out the temple buildings). By extension it can mean to demonstrate or prove (Acts 18:28; Heb 6:17).

Against the English

English versions all say 'showing'. That is correct, but it cannot carry the possible nuance of the Greek form.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDAG gives 'show, point out' as the main sense. In Koine Greek the middle and active forms of this verb often overlap, so the middle here does not prove a special meaning. It does allow one.

From the study of Acts 18:28

Range of meaning

To show, display, point out (Matthew 24:1, pointing out the temple buildings; Acts 9:39, showing the tunics Dorcas made); to demonstrate, prove, set forth by evidence (Hebrews 6:17). The related noun ἐπίδειξις was the Greek term for a public display speech.

Against the English

BSB 'proving'; KJV/WEB/YLT 'shewing/showing'; NASB 'demonstrating'. 'Proving' says more about the result than the verb does, while 'showing' can sound too mild. 'Demonstrating', meaning laying out the evidence for others to see, is closest.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in classical and Koine Greek. The rhetorical noun epideixis (display oratory) belongs to the same family. This may echo Apollos' training as a speaker, but the verb here simply means to demonstrate.

Where it appears

Matthew · 3

  1. Matthew 16:1 ἐπιδεῖξαι to show

    Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

    Here: 'To put on display' or 'to exhibit.' The word suggests a public demonstration offered as proof, a staged showing for their inspection.

  2. Matthew 22:19 ἐπιδείξατέ do show

    Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius.

  3. Matthew 24:1 ἐπιδεῖξαι to point out

    As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings.

    Here: 'To point out, to show off.' The infinitive gives the purpose of their approach. They want to draw his eye to the impressive structures, apparently in admiration and perhaps in disbelief after his words in 23:38.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 17:14 ἐπιδείξατε do show

    When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.

    Here: A command to present themselves for official examination, not a social visit. It is the first step of the Levitical procedure for a person whose skin disease has gone (Lev 14:2–3).

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 9:39 ἐπιδεικνύμεναι showing

    So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

    Here: They were displaying the clothing to Peter. The verb's form (Greek 'middle voice', which often marks an action done on or for oneself) has led several commentators to suggest they were showing the garments they had on.

  2. Acts 18:28 ἐπιδεικνὺς showing

    For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

    Here: Describes his method: he laid out evidence and pointed to it so others could see it, as one proves a case. The present tense runs alongside the refuting: he refuted by demonstrating.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 6:17 ἐπιδεῖξαι to show

    So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.

    Here: "To display" or "to prove". The word was used for putting something on show or bringing out evidence. God is not just stating his intention. He is giving visible proof of it.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.