Greek word · G3594

ὁδηγέω

hodēgeō

to guide

To lead someone along a way, to act as guide. Used literally of guiding travelers or the blind (Matt 15:14; Luke 6:39) and figuratively of guiding someone in understanding (Acts 8:31: 'how can I understand unless someone guides me?').

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ὁδηγέω, -ῶ,

(ὁδηγός) [in LXX chiefly for נוּחַ, also for דֶּרֶךְ hi., הָלַךְ hi., etc. ;]

to lead on one's way, to guide: with accusative of person(s), Matthew 15:14, Luke 6:39; id. before ἐπί, Revelation 7:17. Metaphorical, to guide, instruct, teach: Acts 8:31; before εἰς τ. ἀλήθειαν (ἐν τ. ἀ., WH, mg.), John 16:13 (cf. Psalms 25:5).†

(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 John 16:13

Range of meaning

To lead someone along a way, to act as guide. Used literally of guiding travelers or the blind (Matt 15:14; Luke 6:39) and figuratively of guiding someone in understanding (Acts 8:31: 'how can I understand unless someone guides me?').

Against the English

'Guide' is a good rendering. What English loses is the built-in word hodos, 'way/road,' which ties the verb to Jesus' 'I am the way and the truth' (14:6). The guide leads along the way, and that way is Jesus himself.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) uses it in close parallels: Ps 24:5 LXX (25:5 in English), 'guide me in your truth and teach me' (hodēgēson me epi tēn alētheian sou); Ps 142:10 LXX (143:10), 'your good Spirit will guide me on level ground'; Wisdom of Solomon 9:11 and 10:10, 17, where divine Wisdom 'guides' the righteous. BDAG gives 'lead, guide' and for this verse 'lead into knowledge of the truth.'

From the study of Revelation 7:17

Range of meaning

To lead the way, guide along a road (ὁδός 'road' + ἡγέομαι 'lead'). It can also mean guiding someone into understanding (John 16:13; Acts 8:31).

Against the English

'Lead' and 'guide' are both fine. The picture is a guide walking in front of travellers who do not know the way.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Psalm 22:3 (our 23:3) reads 'he guided me (ὡδήγησέν με) on paths of righteousness'. Isaiah 49:10, which this verse quotes almost word for word, promises that the one 'who has compassion on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them'. The Greek Old Testament also uses the verb for God guiding Israel through the wilderness (e.g. Exodus 13:17; Psalm 77[78]:14).

From the study of Acts 8:31

Range of meaning

To lead someone along a way, act as guide; by extension, to lead someone into understanding or right conduct (BDAG: 'lead, guide'; figuratively 'lead, conduct, instruct'). It is built from hodos, 'road, way', and hēgeomai, 'lead'.

Against the English

BSB, KJV, ESV, NASB and YLT use 'guide', which keeps the picture. WEB and NIV say 'explain', which is accurate in effect but loses the image of a companion on the road. Explaining hands over information. Guiding walks with someone until they arrive.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) it is common in prayers for divine guidance: 'Guide me in your truth and teach me' (Ps 24:5 LXX = 25:5). Lady Wisdom 'guided' the righteous in straight paths (Wisdom 10:10, 17). In the Gospels: 'Can a blind man guide a blind man?' (Luke 6:39, also from Luke and also with dynamai, 'be able'). Paul pictures a Jewish teacher as 'a guide (hodēgos) of the blind' (Rom 2:19), and John 16:13 has the Spirit who 'will guide you into all the truth'.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 15:14 ὁδηγῇ, they shall lead,

    Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

    Here: The verb form of 'guide'. The present tense pictures guiding as an ongoing act: walking someone along step by step.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 6:39 ὁδηγεῖν; to lead?

    Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

    Here: Built from hodos ("road") and agō ("lead"): to lead someone along a road. It was also used figuratively for teaching, so it carries the idea of instructing as well as escorting.

John · 1

  1. John 16:13 ὁδηγήσει He will guide

    However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

    Here: Literally 'to lead along the road' (hodos, 'way,' plus 'lead'). He is a guide walking ahead of travelers, an echo of Jesus as 'the way' (14:6). It is future: something that will happen after Jesus leaves.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 8:31 ὁδηγήσει will guide

    “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

    Here: Literally 'lead along the road' (hodos 'road' + hēgeomai 'lead'). He pictures himself as a traveller who needs someone to walk the route with him, not just someone to hand him a definition. This is said, fittingly, on a road (8:26, 36).

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 7:17 ὁδηγήσει He will lead

    For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

    Here: 'He will guide', literally 'lead along the road'. It pictures a shepherd walking ahead of the flock, not driving it from behind. The word echoes Psalm 23 and Isaiah 49.

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