1310. diaphémizó
Lexical Summary
diaphémizó: To spread abroad, to make widely known, to publish

Original Word: διαφημίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: diaphémizó
Pronunciation: dee-af-ay-MID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-af-ay-mid'-zo)
KJV: blaze abroad, commonly report, spread abroad, fame
NASB: spread the news, spread around, widely spread
Word Origin: [from G1223 (διά - through) and a derivative of G5345 (φήμη - news)]

1. to report thoroughly, i.e. divulgate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
blaze abroad, spread abroad

From dia and a derivative of pheme; to report thoroughly, i.e. Divulgate -- blaze abroad, commonly report, spread abroad, fame.

see GREEK dia

see GREEK pheme

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dia and phémizó (to spread a report); from phémé
Definition
to spread abroad
NASB Translation
spread...around (1), spread the news (1), widely spread (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1310: διαφημίζω

διαφημίζω; 1 aorist διεφημισα; 1 aorist passive διεφημίσθην; to spread abroad, blaze abroad: τόν λόγον, Mark 1:45; Matthew 28:15 (T WH marginal reading ἐφημισθη); τινα, to spread abroad his fame, verbally diffuse his renown, Matthew 9:31; in Latindiffamare aliquem, but in a bad sense. (Rarely in Greek writings, as Aratus, phaen. 221; Dionysius Halicarnassus 11, 46; Palaeph. incred. 14, 4; (cf. Winer's De verb. comp. etc. Part v., p. 14f).)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 1310 depicts the vigorous broadcasting of information so that it permeates an entire region. The verb is intensive, describing news that refuses to remain local, whether such news is joyful testimony of Christ’s power or a calculated distortion of His resurrection. Every occurrence in the New Testament centers on Jesus, revealing the inevitability of His fame and the mixed responses it evokes.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Mark 1:45 – After Jesus cleanses a leper, “the man went out and openly proclaimed it, spreading the news”. The healed man’s enthusiasm overrides Jesus’ instruction to remain silent, illustrating how transformative encounters with the Lord naturally compel proclamation, even when silence might seem prudent.

2. Matthew 9:31 – Two formerly blind men, commanded to keep quiet, instead “went out and spread the news about Him throughout that region”. Their exuberant disobedience again highlights the overflow of gratitude that accompanies divine deliverance.

3. Matthew 28:15 – The chief priests bribe the guards, and “this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day”. Here the same verb applies to a false narrative that seeks to discredit the resurrection. The contrast with the first two occurrences underscores that influential reports can advance either truth or deception, depending on their source.

Thematic Insights

Proclamation versus Silence

Jesus occasionally enjoined secrecy (Mark 1:44; Matthew 9:30) to prevent premature political misunderstanding of His mission. Yet the magnetism of divine acts overcame imposed silence, foreshadowing the global proclamation commanded after the resurrection (Matthew 28:19–20).

Truth and Falsehood on the Same Channel

The verb’s use for both authentic testimony and deliberate fabrication warns that the mechanism of widespread reporting is morally neutral. Discernment is therefore essential; the content carried by public momentum must be weighed against the full counsel of Scripture.

The Uncontainable Christ

Whether miracles or rumors, reports about Jesus ripple outward. Gospel writers present this diffusion as evidence of His significance: beneficent power draws seekers; hostile suppression spawns counter-narratives, yet both acknowledge His centrality.

Historical Context and Background

First-century Palestine relied on oral communication. Town markets, synagogue gatherings, and pilgrim routes allowed accounts to traverse distances quickly. In Galilee, Jesus’ miracles produced a grassroots publicity network, unsettling religious authorities. After the resurrection, those authorities attempted to commandeer the same network with hush money and a substitute explanation, showing how vital public perception had become.

The Markan “messianic secret” motif reflects political volatility: messianic fervor threatened Roman reprisals, and crowds eager for spectacle could impede Jesus’ itinerary (Mark 1:45). By contrast, post-resurrection evangelism needed no restraint; the tomb was empty, and proclamation became mandate.

Ministry Implications

1. Joyful Witness

Transformative encounters with Christ naturally overflow in testimony. Believers today should examine whether gratitude for salvation produces similar urgency.

2. Obedience and Timing

There are moments when discretion serves a redemptive purpose. The leper’s premature publicity curtailed Jesus’ access to populated areas (Mark 1:45). Wise ministry discerns when silence advances the mission and when speech is required.

3. Contending with Misinformation

Matthew 28:15 foreshadows modern challenges: organized campaigns can circulate falsehoods about Christ. Apologetics, historical evidence for the resurrection, and clear teaching counteract such narratives.

4. Stewardship of Platforms

Digital media mirrors first-century oral networks on a global scale. The verb urges believers to steward these channels so that the true gospel, not rumor or sensationalism, predominates.

Related Concepts and Words

• Martyria (witness) – the formal testimony that conveys truth.
• Kērussō (to preach) – the authoritative public announcement of the gospel.
• Euangelizō (to evangelize) – the joyful proclamation of good news.

Together with Strong’s 1310, these terms chart the progression from personal experience to regional impact.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 1310 encapsulates the unstoppable spread of news concerning Jesus Christ. Whether through grateful beneficiaries or hostile conspirators, His account refused containment. In every generation the verb challenges followers to channel that same potency toward truthful, Spirit-led proclamation, trusting that the risen Lord will ensure His fame reaches “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Forms and Transliterations
διαφημιζειν διαφημίζειν διεφημισαν διεφήμισαν διεφημισθη διεφημίσθη diaphemizein diaphemízein diaphēmizein diaphēmízein diephemisan diephēmisan diephḗmisan diephemisthe diephemísthe diephēmisthē diephēmísthē
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 9:31 V-AIA-3P
GRK: δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν
NAS: But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout
KJV: spread abroad his fame in all
INT: however having gone out they make known him in

Matthew 28:15 V-AIP-3S
GRK: ἐδιδάχθησαν Καὶ διεφημίσθη ὁ λόγος
NAS: story was widely spread among
KJV: saying is commonly reported among
INT: they were taught And is spread abroad the report

Mark 1:45 V-PNA
GRK: πολλὰ καὶ διαφημίζειν τὸν λόγον
NAS: it freely and to spread the news
KJV: and to blaze abroad the matter,
INT: much and to spread abroad the matter

Strong's Greek 1310
3 Occurrences


διαφημίζειν — 1 Occ.
διεφήμισαν — 1 Occ.
διεφημίσθη — 1 Occ.

1309
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