Greek word · G1956

ἐπιλύω

epilyō

to explain

Literally 'to loose upon, unloose'. Used for releasing or untying, for solving a problem or riddle, for explaining or interpreting, and in legal settings for settling or deciding a case (Acts 19:39, its only other New Testament use).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐπι-λύω

[in Aq.: Genesis 40:8 41:8, 12; Th.: Hosea 3:4 * ;]

1. to loose, release.

2. to solve, settle, explain: Mark 4:34, Acts 19:39.†

(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 Mark 4:34

Range of meaning

Literally 'to loose upon, unloose'. Used for releasing or untying, for solving a problem or riddle, for explaining or interpreting, and in legal settings for settling or deciding a case (Acts 19:39, its only other New Testament use). The related noun epilusis means 'interpretation, solution' (2 Pet 1:20).

Against the English

'Explained' (BSB, WEB, and NIV, ESV and NASB in their own wording) and 'expounded' (KJV, YLT) are correct but plain. They lose the picture of loosening a knot, which casts the parable as a tied-up riddle and Jesus as the one who undoes it.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDAG gives the sense 'explain, interpret' for this verse. The 'loosing' picture of interpretation runs through Jewish tradition: Daniel is praised for 'loosing knots' (Aramaic mesharē qiṭrin, Dan 5:12, 16), and the Greek versions there use luō. In the Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century, Similitudes 5) epilusis is the standard word for the explanation of a parable. Josephus tells how Solomon 'solved' (luō) the riddles Hiram sent him (Antiquities 8.143–149).

From the study of Acts 19:39

Range of meaning

Literally "to loose, untie." Figuratively, to solve a riddle, explain a difficulty, or resolve and decide a dispute.

Against the English

"Determined" (KJV, YLT) and "settled" (BSB, WEB) both work. The underlying image is of untying a knot, a tangle being undone carefully and not cut.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mark 4:34 uses it for Jesus "explaining" his parables privately. In secular Greek it is used for solving questions and settling disputes. The related noun epilysis appears in 2 Pet 1:20 ("interpretation").

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 4:34 ἐπέλυεν He was explaining

    He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.

    Here: The root picture is untying a knot. Greek used it for solving a riddle or settling a problem. Another imperfect, so it was a repeated practice: he kept 'untying' the parables for them.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 19:39 ἐπιλυθήσεται. it will be solved.

    But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.

    Here: Future passive: "it will be resolved / settled / decided." The picture is of untying a knot. A tangled public question gets worked out by proper process and does not have to be shouted into existence.

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