Original Word: κατακυριεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katakurieuo
Pronunciation: kat-ak-oo-ree-YOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ak-oo-ree-yoo'-o)
KJV: exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G2961 (κυριεύω - lord it over)]

1. to lord against, i.e. control, subjugate

exercise dominion over, be lord over, overcome.

From kata and kurieuo; to lord against, i.e. Control, subjugate -- exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK kurieuo

2634 katakyrieúō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 2691 /katastrēniáō, "exercise lordship") – properly, exercise decisive control (downward) as an owner with full jurisdiction; (passive) to be fully subjected to a master; to lord it over.

STRONGS NT 2634: κατακυριεύω

κατακυριεύω; 1 aorist participle κατακυριεύσας; (κατά (which see III. 3) under);

a. to bring under one's power, to subject to oneself, to subdue, master: τίνος, Acts 19:18 (Diodorus 14,64; for כָּבַשׁ Genesis 1:28; Sir. 17:4).

b. to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over: τίνος, Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; 1 Peter 5:3; (of the benign government of God, Jeremiah 3:14).

Semantic Scope and Nuances

Κatakurieúō portrays a forceful mastery that subdues the will of another. Whether the context is physical domination (Acts 19:16) or the misuse of positional authority (Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; 1 Peter 5:3), the verb carries an unmistakable sense of subjecting others to one’s own control.

New Testament Occurrences

Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; Acts 19:16; 1 Peter 5:3.

Dominion in Pagan Governance

In Matthew 20:25 and Mark 10:42, Jesus contrasts Gentile political structures with the servant-leadership model He commends to His disciples. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them” (Matthew 20:25). The verb depicts top-down, self-serving control, common in first-century imperial administration. For Jesus, such rule is paradigmatic of the world’s fallen power dynamics, not the Kingdom’s ethic.

Spiritual Abuse vs. Shepherd Leadership

1 Peter 5:3 brings the word into church life: “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Elders are stewards, not proprietors. Authority in the congregation is relational and exemplary; domination erodes trust, quenches the Spirit, and contradicts Christ’s own kenotic example (Philippians 2:5-8).

Demonic Overpowering

Acts 19:16 provides a physical analogue: the possessed man “overpowered all of them.” Here the term conveys violent subjugation. Luke’s choice of κατακυριεύω underscores the enslaving nature of demonic forces and highlights the liberating power of the gospel when contrasted with the Seven Sons’ defeat.

Theological Trajectory

Scripture consistently warns against oppressive use of power—whether civil, ecclesial, or spiritual. God alone rightfully exercises absolute dominion (Psalm 22:28). Human authority is derivative and must mirror God’s character: righteous, compassionate, and self-giving.

Historical Considerations

First-century believers lived under Roman rule where autocratic control was normalized. The apostolic injunctions thus created an alternative community ethic: leaders serve; greatness is measured by self-sacrifice; coercion yields to example. This counter-cultural stance fostered unity and witness in a skeptical world.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Leadership is service: positional titles do not authorize coercion.
2. Discipleship flourishes under models worth imitating, not mandates to obey.
3. Deliverance ministry must recognize Jesus’ superior authority; human bravado courts defeat (cf. Acts 19:13-16).
4. Congregations should cultivate accountability structures that prevent abusive dominance.

Practical Exhortation

Wherever influence is granted—home, church, workplace—believers must resist the gravitational pull toward κατακυριεύω. Instead, “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). True greatness is still measured by the towel, not the scepter.

κατακυρίευε κατακυριευθή κατακυριευοντες κατακυριεύοντες κατακυριευουσιν κατακυριεύουσιν κατακυριεύσαι κατακυριευσας κατακυριεύσας κατακυριεύσατε κατακυριευσάτω κατακυριεύσει κατακυριεύσητε κατακυριεύσουσιν κατακυριεύσω κατεκυρίευσαν katakurieuontes katakurieuousin katakurieusas katakyrieuontes katakyrieúontes katakyrieuousin katakyrieúousin katakyrieusas katakyrieúsasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts