ἀπαρνέομαι

From the study of Matthew 16:24

Range of meaning

To refuse to recognise, to disown, to renounce, to say 'I do not know him' about someone. It is a stronger form of arneomai (deny, refuse). The object is usually a person or a loyalty: you disown someone you were connected to. BDAG gives 'to refuse to recognize / acknowledge, deny' and, for this saying, 'deny oneself', meaning to act with no regard for one's own interests.

Against the English

'Deny himself' (BSB, KJV, ESV, NASB) is correct, but modern English 'self-denial' usually means going without a pleasure: skipping dessert, giving something up for Lent. YLT's 'disown himself' keeps the personal, relational edge. NLT's 'give up your own way' takes it as giving up self-will, which is close but loses the courtroom-like picture of renouncing someone.

How it drifted

The English phrase 'self-denial' grew up in ascetic and moral writing and came to mean abstaining from comforts. That turned a renunciation of the self into giving up things the self enjoys.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Matthew the verb shows up again only in Peter's denial: 'before the rooster crows you will deny me three times' (26:34, 35, 75). Mark 8:34 and Luke 12:9 ('whoever denies me before others will be denied') use it the same way. In the Greek Old Testament (LXX), Isaiah 31:7 uses it for Israel renouncing its idols. In each case it means cutting a tie of loyalty.

From the study of Matthew 26:34

Range of meaning

To refuse to recognise or acknowledge someone. To disown, repudiate or renounce. To break a relationship in public. The prefix ap- ('away from') strengthens the simple verb arneomai ('to say no, deny, refuse'). It can describe renouncing yourself or your own interests (Matt 16:24) or disowning another person (Matt 26:34, 75).

Against the English

Most versions say 'deny' (KJV, ESV, NASB, BSB, WEB). The NIV says 'disown'. In everyday modern English, 'deny' mostly means claiming a statement is false ('he denied the charges'). The Greek is about relationship: refusing to own your tie to a person. 'Disown' brings that out better. 'Deny' still works, but only in its older sense of refusing to acknowledge someone.

How it drifted

The older English phrase 'to deny someone' (as in 'deny me before men') has faded. Today 'deny' is mainly about facts and accusations, so readers can picture Peter disputing a claim instead of cutting himself off from his master.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), Isa 31:7 uses it for Israel throwing away its idols 'in that day', a decisive renunciation. In the Gospels it appears in the saying about the cost of discipleship ('let him deny himself', Matt 16:24; Mark 8:34) and in the Peter prediction and its fulfilment (Matt 26:34, 35, 75; Mark 14:30–72; Luke 22:34–61). The simple verb arneomai is used in Matt 10:33 and 26:70, 72, alongside its opposite, homologeō, 'to confess/acknowledge'. BDAG gives 'deny, renounce, disown'.

From the study of Mark 8:34

Range of meaning

To deny, disown or repudiate: to refuse to acknowledge a person or thing as belonging to you, or to cut off a former tie. It is a strengthened form of arneomai ('to say no, deny'). Its object is usually a person, not a pleasure.

Against the English

Most English versions have 'deny himself'. In everyday English, 'self-denial' has come to mean going without comforts: giving something up for Lent, skipping dessert, discipline in small things. YLT's 'disown himself' is closer. NLT's 'give up your own way' turns it into a paraphrase about your will or preferences.

How it drifted

'Deny oneself' became a stock phrase in English moral and ascetic writing for restraining your appetites. The phrase then slid from 'disowning the self' to 'denying the self some things'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) at Isaiah 31:7, people 'will disown (aparnēsontai) their idols of silver and gold', which means renouncing a former allegiance. Mark uses the word only here and in the Peter story: 'before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times' (14:30, 72); 'I will never deny you' (14:31). BDAG gives 'to refuse to recognize / acknowledge, deny, disown'.