Original Word: ἐμφανίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: emphanizó
Pronunciation: em-fan-id'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (em-fan-id'-zo)
KJV: appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify
NASB: brought charges, disclose, appear, appeared, make clear, notified, notify
Word Origin: [from G1717 (ἐμφανής - manifest)]

1. to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words)

appear, declare plainly, inform, disclose

From emphanes; to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words) -- appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.

see GREEK emphanes

Word Origin
from emphanés
Definition
to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
NASB Translation
appear (1), appeared (1), brought charges (3), disclose (2), make...clear (1), notified (1), notify (1).

STRONGS NT 1718: ἐμφανίζω

ἐμφανίζω (see ἐν, III. 3); future ἐμφανίσω (Buttmann, 37 (32)); 1 aorist ἐνεφανισα; 1 aorist passive ἐνεφανίσθην; from Xenophon, and Plato down; (ἐμφανής);

1. to manifest, exhibit to view: ἑαυτόν τίνι, properly, to present oneself to the sight of another, manifest oneself to (Exodus 33:13), John 14:22; metaphorically of Christ giving evidence by the action of the Holy Spirit on the souls of the disciples that he is alive in heaven, John 14:21. Passive to Show oneself, come to view, appear, be manifest: τίνι (of spectres, Wis. 17:4; αὐτοῖς Θεούς ἐμφανίζεσθαι λέγοντες, Diag. Laërtius prooem. 7; so of God, Josephus, Antiquities 1, 13, 1), Matthew 27:53; τῷ προσώπῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ, of Christ appearing before God in heaven, Hebrews 9:24; (of God imparting to souls the knowledge of himself, Wis. 1:2; Theophilus of Antioch ad Autol. 1, 2, 4).

2. to indicate, disclose, declare, make known: followed by ὅτι, Hebrews 11:14; with the dative of person Acts 23:15; τί πρός τινα, Acts 23:22; τί κατά τίνος, to report or declare a thing against a person, to inform against one, Acts 24:1; Acts 25:2; περί τίνος, about one, Acts 25:15. (Synonym: see δηλόω.)

Overview

The verb translated in the Berean Standard Bible as “reveal,” “appear,” “show,” or “present” carries the idea of making something plain, visible, or officially known. Across its ten New Testament uses the word moves in two chief directions: (1) visible manifestation—especially of the risen Christ and resurrected saints, and (2) formal presentation—particularly of testimony or charges before a governing authority. Both senses underline the biblical theme that what is hidden will in God’s timing be brought to light.

Manifestation to Believers (John 14:21-22)

On the eve of the crucifixion Jesus promises, “I will reveal Myself to him” (John 14:21). The disclosure is relational and conditioned upon love-expressed obedience. Judas (not Iscariot) then asks how such revealing will occur if the world remains unaware (14:22). Christ’s answer (14:23-26) links the revelation to the indwelling presence of Father, Son, and Spirit—an ongoing, spiritual manifestation rather than a public spectacle. The passage anchors Christian expectation that intimacy with Christ is a Spirit-wrought reality now, anticipating fuller sight at His return (1 John 3:2).

Resurrection Appearances (Matthew 27:53)

At the moment of Christ’s resurrection “they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.” The sudden public visibility of formerly dead saints serves as an inaugural sign that death’s power is broken. The word underscores the concrete, bodily nature of resurrection hope and prefigures the universal manifestation of all the redeemed at the final resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

Christ’s Heavenly Representation (Hebrews 9:24)

“For Christ did not enter a handmade sanctuary… He entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” Here the verb speaks of the Son’s ongoing priestly ministry. His appearance before the Father is not mere visibility but formal advocacy secured by His once-for-all sacrifice (9:26). Believers therefore possess continual access to God (10:19-22), grounding confidence in prayer and perseverance.

Confession of Pilgrims (Hebrews 11:14)

The patriarchs “show that they are seeking a country of their own.” Their open confession reveals inner longing for the heavenly city (11:16). The verb portrays faith as publicly expressed orientation, not private sentiment. Christian pilgrims likewise make their hopes evident through speech and lifestyle (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Legal Presentation in Acts (Acts 23–25)

Five occurrences cluster in Luke’s record of Paul’s imprisonments:
• Acts 23:15, 23:22 – conspirators urge that Paul be “brought before” the council; the commander warns the informer to keep silent about the report.
• Acts 24:1 – Ananias and Tertullus “brought their charges” before Governor Felix.
• Acts 25:2, 25:15 – Jewish leaders “presented formal charges” to Festus.

In each instance the word describes laying a matter before civil authority. Luke’s precision highlights the impartial progress of the gospel: accusations are made manifest, investigated, and consistently shown baseless (Acts 25:25; 26:31-32). The gospel stands examination; its messengers need not fear transparent inquiry.

Themes and Theology

1. Revelation of Christ: The Lord chooses when, where, and to whom He discloses Himself, yet His self-manifestation is inseparable from obedience and love (John 14).
2. Intercession: The same verb that speaks of Jesus revealing Himself to disciples describes His appearing for them in heaven. Personal fellowship on earth rests on His official representation in glory.
3. Witness and Accountability: Whether declaring heavenly hope (Hebrews 11) or bringing earthly charges (Acts), the term frames speech that makes convictions unmistakable. Scripture calls believers to clarity before both God and men.
4. Eschatology: Resurrection appearances and promised future revelations anticipate the ultimate unveiling when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11).

Practical and Ministry Implications

• Spiritual Formation: Cultivating love-grounded obedience positions believers to experience the Lord’s ongoing self-disclosure.
• Intercessory Confidence: Prayer is rooted in Christ’s continual “appearance” before the Father; ministries can labor from assurance rather than anxiety.
• Public Testimony: Like the patriarchs, churches today are to make their heavenly citizenship unmistakable, especially amid cultural pressures to privatize faith.
• Apologetic Transparency: Paul’s trials illustrate that clear, factual presentation of the gospel and its messengers withstands scrutiny; ministries should welcome honest examination.
• Resurrection Hope: The visible appearance of resurrected saints in Matthew inspires pastoral care that anchors grief and suffering in the certainty of bodily renewal.

Summary

Throughout the New Testament the verb translated “reveal,” “appear,” or “present” consistently stresses that God brings realities—whether His Son, His people’s hopes, or human motives—into unmistakable view. That divine transparency summons believers to live openly before God and neighbor, confident that the One who now appears for them in heaven will one day appear to them and through them in glory.

εμφανιζειν εμφανίζειν ἐμφανίζειν εμφανιζουσιν εμφανίζουσιν ἐμφανίζουσιν εμφανισατε εμφανίσατε ἐμφανίσατε εμφανισθηναι εμφανισθήναι ἐμφανισθῆναι εμφάνισόν εμφανισω εμφανίσω ἐμφανίσω εμφανώς ενεφανισαν ενεφάνισαν ἐνεφάνισαν ἐνεφάνισάν ενεφανισας ενεφάνισας ἐνεφάνισας ενεφάνισε ενεφανισθησαν ενεφανίσθησαν ἐνεφανίσθησαν emphanisate emphanísate emphaniso emphanisō emphaníso emphanísō emphanisthenai emphanisthênai emphanisthēnai emphanisthē̂nai emphanizein emphanízein emphanizousin emphanízousin enephanisan enephánisan enephánisán enephanisas enephánisas enephanisthesan enephanisthēsan enephanísthesan enephanísthēsanInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts