Original Word: κατηγορέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katégoreó
Pronunciation: kat-ay-gor-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ay-gor-eh'-o)
Definition: To accuse, to charge
Meaning: I accuse, charge, prosecute.

accuse, object.

From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence -- accuse, object.

see GREEK kategoros

Word Origin
from kata and agoreuó (to speak in the assembly)
Definition
to make accusation
NASB Translation
accusation against (1), accuse (10), accused (3), accuses (2), accusing (3), bring against (1), charges they bring against (1), charges you make (1), make accusation (1), prosecute (1).

STRONGS NT 2723: κατηγορέω

κατηγορέω, κατηγόρω; imperfect κατηγόρουν; future κατηγορήσω; 1 aorist κατηγόρησα; present passive κατηγοροῦμαι; (κατά and ἀγορεύω, properly, to speak against (cf. κατά, III. 7) in court, in the assembly of the people), to accuse;

a. before a judge: absolutely (to make accusation), Acts 24:2, 19; τίνος, to accuse one, Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7 T Tr text WH; R L Tr brackets; ; John 8:6; Acts 25:5; Acts 28:19; with the addition of a genitive of the thing of which one is accused (as Demosthenes 515 at the end): Acts 24:8; Acts 25:11 (unless it be thought preferable to regard the relative in these instances as in the genitive by attraction (so Buttmann, § 132, 16 at the end), since the common construction in Greek authors is κατηγόρουν τί τίνος, cf. Matthiae, § 370 Anm. 2, p. 849f, and § 378, p. 859; cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 9a.); τίνος περί τίνος, Acts 24:13 (Thucydides 8, 85; Xenophon, Hell. 1, 7, 2); with the genitive of person and accusative of the thing, Mark 15:3 (unless πολλά should be taken adverbially: much, vehemently); πόσα, Mark 15:4 L T Tr WH (Euripides, Or. 28); followed by κατά with the genitive of person, Luke 23:14 (Xenophon, Hell. 1, 7, 9 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 28, 1; p. 431 (402); Buttmann, § 132, 16)); passive to be accused (as 2 Macc. 10:13; Xenophon, Hell. 3, 5, 25; cf. Buttmann, § 134, 4): ὑπό τίνος, Matthew 27:12; Acts 22:30 L T Tr WH for Rec. παρά (τό τί κτλ., why (A. V. wherefore) he was accused; unless it is to be explained, what accusation was brought forward etc.); ὁ κατηγορούμενος, Acts 25:16.

b. of an extra-judicial accusation (Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 4): absolutely, Romans 2:15; τίνος, John 5:45 (cf. Buttmann, 295 (254)); Revelation 12:10 R G Tr: solecistically τινα, Revelation 12:10 L T WH (cf. Buttmann, § 132, 16). [SYNONYMS: αἰτίασθαι, διαβάλλειν, ἐγκάλειν, ἐπικάλειν, κατηγορεῖν: αἰτίασθαι to accuse with primary reference to the ground of accusation (αἰτία), the crime; κατηγορεῖν to accuse formally and before a tribunal bring a charge against (κατά suggestive of animosity) publicly; ἐγκάλειν, to accuse with publicity (καλεῖν), but not necessarily formally or before a tribunal; ἐπικάλειν 'to cry out upon' suggestive of publicity and hostility; διαβάλλειν, properly, to make a verbal assault which reaches its goal (διά); in distinction from the words which allude to authorship (αἰτιάομαι), to judicial procedure (κατηγορέω), or to open averment (ἐγκαλέω, ἐπικαλέω), διαβάλλω expresses the giving currency to a damaging insinuation. διάβολος a secret and calumnious, in distinction from κατήγορος an open and formal, accuser. Schmidt, chapter 5.]

Word Origin: Derived from κατά (kata, meaning "against") and ἀγορεύω (agoreuō, meaning "to speak in the assembly" or "to speak publicly").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3198 (יָכַח, yakach): To reprove, rebuke, or correct, often used in contexts of legal or moral correction.
• H7378 (רִיב, rib): To contend, dispute, or bring a legal case against someone, reflecting a similar judicial or accusatory context.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Greek term κατηγορέω, its usage in the New Testament, and its connection to similar concepts in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Usage: The verb κατηγορέω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of making an accusation or bringing charges against someone, often in a legal or formal context. It appears in various passages where individuals are accused of wrongdoing or where formal charges are brought against them.

Context: • Contextual Overview: In the New Testament, κατηγορέω is frequently used in legal and judicial contexts, reflecting the Greco-Roman legal practices of the time. It often involves formal accusations made before authorities or in public settings.
• New Testament Occurrences: The term appears in several key passages, including:
• Matthew 12:10 • "And a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'"
• John 8:6 • "They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger."
• Acts 24:2 • "When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: 'We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.'"
• Theological Implications: The use of κατηγορέω highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, as well as the early Christians' encounters with legal authorities. It underscores themes of justice, truth, and the challenges faced by those who stand for righteousness.
• Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient world, public accusations were a common part of legal proceedings. The accuser (κατήγορος) played a crucial role in the judicial process, and the act of accusing was often a formal and serious matter, sometimes leading to severe consequences for the accused.

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