Greek word · G635

ἀποπλανάω

apoplanaō

to mislead

To lead away or astray, to mislead. In the passive, to be led astray or to wander off. The root plan- gives 'planet', a wandering star, and is used of deception (Mark 13:22, the only other NT use).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

ἀπο-πλανάω, -ῶ

[in LXX for נָדַח hi., נָטָה hi., שׁוּב pi. ;]

to cause to go astray; metaphorically, of leading into error: Mark 13:22; pass., to be led astray: 1 Timothy 6:10.†

(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 1 Timothy 6:10

Range of meaning: To lead away or astray, to mislead. In the passive, to be led astray or to wander off. The root plan- gives 'planet', a wandering star, and is used of deception (Mark 13:22, the only other NT use).
Against the English: BSB, NIV and ESV 'wandered away', which suggests drifting. WEB 'led astray', which suggests something did the misleading. KJV 'erred', which in older English meant to stray, though today it sounds like a small mistake.
How it drifted: KJV 'erred' has weakened in modern English: it now suggests a minor error rather than leaving the road.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), Sirach 13:6 and 2 Chronicles 21:11 use it of being led away into wrong. The verb family is standard for deception and apostasy in Jewish and early Christian texts.

From the study of Mark 13:22

Range of meaning: 'To lead away and astray', to make someone wander off. It is built on planaō, 'to cause to wander, mislead', with apo- ('away from') stressing the departure. It is used of animals straying, travellers losing their road, and figuratively of being drawn away from the truth or from God.
Against the English: BSB and NIV say 'deceive'. ESV and NASB say 'lead astray' and WEB says 'lead astray'. KJV and YLT say 'seduce'. 'Deceive' stresses planting a false belief. The Greek picture is of movement, being drawn off the path and away from the group and its Lord. 'Seduce' originally meant 'lead aside' (Latin se-ducere), but modern ears hear something sexual.
How it drifted: 'Seduce' narrowed in English after the 17th century toward sexual enticement. 'Deceive' is not wrong, but it makes the danger purely mental rather than a matter of following the wrong leader.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament it occurs only here and in 1 Timothy 6:10 (some 'have wandered away from the faith' through love of money). The Greek Old Testament version of Deuteronomy 13 describes the false prophet's aim as leading Israel astray from the LORD and off 'the way' (13:5–6). In Mark 13 the root word planaō frames the whole discourse (13:5, 6).

Where it appears

Mark · 1

Mark 13:22 ἀποπλανᾶν to deceive

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Here: 'To lead off and away', like a guide luring travellers off the road. The present tense suggests a drawn-out effort. It picks up Jesus' opening warning, 'See that no one leads you astray' (13:5–6).

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 6:10 ἀπεπλανήθησαν were seduced

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Here: Passive form: 'were led astray' or 'wandered off'. It is the language of straying from a path and also of being deceived. The chasing of money is what pulled them away.

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