ἀπόστολος
apostle
Full lexicon entry — Thayer's Greek Lexicon
From Thayer's Greek Lexicon
Where this word appears
See every Nominative-case word in the Greek New Testament →
Grammar key — what these labels mean
Part of speech
- Noun
- A naming word — a person, place, thing, or idea.
Case
- Genitive
- The case of source, possession, or “of” — answers “whose / from what.”
- Nominative
- The case of the subject (and the predicate nominative).
- Accusative
- The case of the direct object and of extent.
- Dative
- The case of the indirect object, means, or location — “to / for / with / in.”
Gender
- Masculine
- Grammatically masculine.
Number
- Plural
- More than one.
- Singular
- One.
Grammatical forms
- Noun, Genitive, Plural, Masculine 22 times (28%)
- Noun, Nominative, Singular, Masculine 18 times (23%)
- Noun, Nominative, Plural, Masculine 16 times (20%)
- Noun, Accusative, Plural, Masculine 14 times (18%)
- Noun, Dative, Plural, Masculine 6 times (8%)
- Noun, Accusative, Singular, Masculine 2 times (3%)
- Noun, Genitive, Singular, Masculine 1 time (1%)
Parsed forms decoded from the imported morphology (Robinson–Tischendorf, public domain), counted across 79 parsed occurrences — not distinct verses.
Every verse where G652 appears — 78 distinct verses across 21 books. Click any verse to open its interlinear word-by-word view. Verse text shown in the World English Bible for context — . Each verse’s Greek form is shown with its reference; the English is not keyword-highlighted, since the data carries no word-level English alignment. Use “Compare translations” on any verse to read it across multiple English versions. This concordance covers the Greek New Testament; Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) occurrences of this word are not indexed here.
Matthew 1 verse
Mark 1 verse
Luke 6 verses
- Luke 6:13 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
- Luke 9:10 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida.
- Luke 11:49 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc Therefore also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,
- Luke 17:5 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
- Luke 22:14 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
- Luke 24:10 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.
John 1 verse
Acts 28 verses
- Acts 1:2 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
- Acts 1:26 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- Acts 2:37 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
- Acts 2:42 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
- Acts 2:43 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
- Acts 4:33 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
- Acts 4:35 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc and laid them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
- Acts 4:36 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
- Acts 4:37 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
- Acts 5:2 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
- Acts 5:12 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
- Acts 5:18 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody.
- Acts 5:29 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
- Acts 5:40 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- Acts 6:6 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
- Acts 8:1 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
- Acts 8:14 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
- Acts 8:18 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
- Acts 9:27 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
- Acts 11:1 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
- Acts 14:4 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
- Acts 14:14 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
- Acts 15:2 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
- Acts 15:4 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
- Acts 15:6 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
- Acts 15:22 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
- Acts 15:23 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
- Acts 16:4 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
Romans 3 verses
- Romans 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God,
- Romans 11:13 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;
- Romans 16:7 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
1 Corinthians 9 verses
- 1 Corinthians 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
- 1 Corinthians 4:9 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?
- 1 Corinthians 9:2 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
- 1 Corinthians 12:29 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?
- 1 Corinthians 15:7 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
- 1 Corinthians 15:9 ἀποστόλων ἀπόστολος n gen pl masc n nom sg masc For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
2 Corinthians 6 verses
- 2 Corinthians 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
- 2 Corinthians 8:23 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 11:5 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 ἀποστόλου n gen sg masc Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
Galatians 3 verses
- Galatians 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
- Galatians 1:17 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
- Galatians 1:19 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.
Ephesians 4 verses
- Ephesians 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
- Ephesians 2:20 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
- Ephesians 3:5 ἀποστόλοις n dat pl masc which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
- Ephesians 4:11 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
Philippians 1 verse
Colossians 1 verse
1 Thessalonians 1 verse
1 Timothy 2 verses
- 1 Timothy 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;
- 1 Timothy 2:7 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
2 Timothy 2 verses
Titus 1 verse
Hebrews 1 verse
1 Peter 1 verse
2 Peter 2 verses
- 2 Peter 1:1 ἀπόστολος n nom sg masc Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
- 2 Peter 3:2 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
Jude 1 verse
Revelation 3 verses
- Revelation 2:2 ἀποστόλους n acc pl masc "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
- Revelation 18:20 ἀπόστολοι n nom pl masc Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her."
- Revelation 21:14 ἀποστόλων n gen pl masc The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
About this entry
At a glance — auto-summarized from this page’s data, not written by a person. Every figure links to its source below. This summary describes the numbers; it doesn’t interpret them.
The Greek noun αποστολος centers on the idea of “apostle.” First canonically at Matthew 10:2, it enters the text early. The Greek New Testament uses it across 78 verses — moderately common. Acts dominates its distribution — 28 of 78 verses. Related forms include αποστελλω and αποστολη. For the data behind this summary, explore the sense tree and the renderings breakdown below.
Gloss history
Strong's 1890 vs modern scholarship
About this word
Strong's G652 catalogs a Greek word from the Greek New Testament.
These counts are not copied from any lexicon or concordance. They are computed here, from the morphology-tagged Greek New Testament. What Lemma adds →
- 78
- distinct verses
- The word appears in 78 distinct verses.
- 21 / 27
- NT books
- The word appears in 21 of 27 New Testament books.
- #214
- by frequency
- Top 250 most frequent Greek words (rank 214 of 5,347 Greek words by occurrence).
View all 78 occurrences in the concordance →
Most concentrated in
- Acts 28 verses 36%
- 1 Corinthians 9 verses 12%
- Luke 6 verses 8%
By section of the New Testament
By traditional corpus
Conventional, traditional groupings — biblical authorship is debated, so this is a traditional corpus grouping, not an authorship claim. Some books belong to more than one corpus (Luke is in both the Gospels and the Lukan corpus, and so on), so these shares overlap and need not total 100%. Each figure is a share of the word’s 78 distinct verses.
- Lukan (Luke–Acts) 34 verses · 44%
- Pauline corpus 33 verses · 42%
- Gospels 9 verses · 12%
- Johannine 4 verses · 5%
- General (Catholic) Epistles 4 verses · 5%
- Revelation 3 verses · 4%
- Hebrews 1 verse · 1%
How translations render this word
Counts come from each version’s own published word-to-Strong’s tagging or interlinear alignment — an approximate guide to how each version renders this word, not a word-level alignment the data otherwise carries. Because each total is that version’s own tagged count, the per-version totals vary from one another and need not match the appearance or distinct-verse counts above. These counts may also differ from a printed concordance because Lemma counts each distinctly tagged rendering and does not collapse phrase taggings into a single head-word total. This is a fixed set of word-tagged versions (KJV, ASV, BSB, ULT) and does not change with the reading translation you choose elsewhere. Each version’s license is shown beside its name below (and on Sources).
- King James Version: Apostles 52×, Apostle 17×, Apostles' 5×
- American Standard Version: Apostles 52×, Apostle 17×, Be an apostle 2×
- Berean Standard Bible: Apostles 50×, Apostle 19×, Apostles’ 5×
- unfoldingWord Literal Text: Apostles 57×, Apostle 18×, The 5×
King James Version Public Domain
Renders G652 across 81 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 5 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
American Standard Version Public Domain
Renders G652 across 81 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 8 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
Berean Standard Bible Public Domain
Renders G652 across 78 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 2 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 2 further occurrences.
unfoldingWord Literal Text CC BY-SA 4.0
Renders G652 across 91 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus 7 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
Senses in Thayer's
The 1 sense Thayer's distinguishes for this word, in lexicon order (not ranked by frequency or importance). The full entry — with sub-senses — is in the Lexicon Entry tab.
- a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
Word origin
Derived from αποστελλω (apostéllō) (G649) — to send away.
From G649 ; a delegate ; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of christ (apostle) (with miraculous powers): - apostle messenger he that is sent.
— Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (1890), public domain.
Forms in the corpus
The 7 distinct written forms G652 takes in the Greek New Testament, most frequent first — each parse links to that case’s occurrences in the concordance.
| Form | Parsing | Example | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀποστόλων apostólōn | Noun, Genitive, Plural, Masculine | Matthew 10:2 | 22 |
| ἀπόστολος apóstolos | Noun, Nominative, Singular, Masculine | John 13:16 | 18 |
| ἀπόστολοι apóstoloi | Noun, Nominative, Plural, Masculine | Mark 6:30 | 16 |
| ἀποστόλους apostólous | Noun, Accusative, Plural, Masculine | Luke 6:13 | 14 |
| ἀποστόλοις apostólois | Noun, Dative, Plural, Masculine | Acts 1:2 | 6 |
| ἀπόστολον apóstolon | Noun, Accusative, Singular, Masculine | Philippians 2:25 | 2 |
| ἀποστόλου apostólou | Noun, Genitive, Singular, Masculine | 2 Corinthians 12:12 | 1 |
Same root — word family
Other Thayer's entries built from the same root as G652, grouped by Strong’s listed origin. These share a root / origin per the lexicon — not necessarily a shared meaning. Each links to that word’s own entry.
Derives from
Shares the same root
Compare all same-root words → They share a root, not necessarily a meaning.
