Greek word · G2715

κατεξουσιάζω

katexousiazō

to rule

Built from kata plus exousiazō ('to have or use authority'). It means to exercise authority over, to wield power over. Outside the Gospels it is very rarely attested before Christian writers, so its exact shade of meaning is hard to pin down.

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

What it means

κατ-εξουσιάζω

to exercise authority over: with genitive of person(s), Matthew 20:25, Mark 10:42.†

SYN: (κατακυριεύω) (see Swete, Mk., l.with)

(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 20:25

Range of meaning

Built from kata plus exousiazō ('to have or use authority'). It means to exercise authority over, to wield power over. Outside the Gospels it is very rarely attested before Christian writers, so its exact shade of meaning is hard to pin down. BDAG gives 'exercise authority' and notes that a tyrannical sense is possible but not certain.

Against the English

Nearly all versions have 'exercise authority over/upon'. That is accurate but flat. NLT's 'flaunt their authority' adds a sense of showing off that the Greek does not clearly carry.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only here and in the parallel at Mark 10:42. Luke 22:25 has the simple verb exousiazō ('those who have authority over them') and adds that such people are called 'benefactors'. Paul uses exousiazō in 1 Cor 6:12 and 7:4 for having power over something or someone.

From the study of Mark 10:42

Range of meaning

From exousia ("authority, the right and power to act") with kata-. To exercise authority over, wield power over, possibly to tyrannize. BDAG gives "exercise authority," adding "perh. tyrannize."

Against the English

Nearly all versions say "exercise authority over/upon." NLT's "flaunt their authority" adds an idea of display. The Greek is about using authority, not showing it off.

Used elsewhere in the period

Almost unattested in Greek before the Gospels. It appears here and in the Matthew parallel (20:25), with only scattered later occurrences, according to BDAG and Moulton–Milligan. The simple verb exousiazō is common. Ecclesiastes 8:9 LXX has "man has authority (exousiasato) over man to harm him". Luke's version of the saying (22:25) uses hoi exousiazontes, "those in authority," who "are called Benefactors."

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 20:25 κατεξουσιάζουσιν exercise authority over

    But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

    Here: Literally 'to wield authority down over'. It matches 'lord it over' in the first line. The great ones use their power over the people beneath them.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 10:42 κατεξουσιάζουσιν exercise authority over

    So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.

    Here: Built on exousia, "authority, power to act." With the same down-pressing prefix it means using one's authority over people as a right. It is a very rare word, which may suggest a coinage or a vivid choice, matching the first verb.

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