Original Word: ἐπιτιμάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epitimaó
Pronunciation: eh-pee-tee-MAH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-tee-mah'-o)
KJV: (straitly) charge, rebuke
NASB: rebuked, rebuke, warned, rebuking, sternly telling, sternly told
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G5091 (τιμάω - honor)]

1. to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish
2. (by implication) forbid

charge, rebuke.

From epi and timao; to tax upon, i.e. Censure or admonish; by implication, forbid -- (straitly) charge, rebuke.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK timao

2008 epitimáō (from 1909 /epí, "suitably on," which intensifies 5091 /timáō, "esteem, place value") – properly, assign value as is fitting the situation, building on (Gk epi) the situation to correct (re-direct).

2008 /epitimáō ("to warn by instructing") can mean "rebuke" but its fundamental sense is "warning to prevent something from going wrong" (see CBL, BAGD).

[2008 /epitimáō (literally, "place due weight/honor upon") does not always mean "rebuke" per se.]

Word Origin
from epi and timaó
Definition
to honor, to mete out due measure, hence to censure
NASB Translation
rebuke (6), rebuked (13), rebuking (3), sternly telling (2), sternly told (1), warned (5).

STRONGS NT 2008: ἐπιτιμάω

ἐπιτιμάω, ἐπιτίμω; imperfect 3 person singular ἐπετίμα, 3 person plural ἐπετίμων; 1 aorist ἐπετίμησα; the Sept. for גָּעַר; in Greek writings

1. to show honor to, to honor: τινα, Herodotus 6, 39.

2. to raise the price of: ὁ σῖτος ἐπετιμηθη, Demosthenes 918, 22; others.

3. to adjudge, award (from τιμή in the sense of merited penalty): τήν δίκην, Herodotus 4, 43.

4. to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely, (so Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, others): absolutely, 2 Timothy 4:2; τίνι, charge one with wrong, Luke (); ; to rebuke — in order to curb one's ferocity or violence (hence, many formerly gave the word the meaning to restrain; against whom cf. Fritzsche on Matthew, p. 325), Matthew 8:26; Matthew 17:18; Mark 4:39; Luke 4:39, 41; Luke 8:24; Luke 9:42; Jude 1:9 (where Rec.elz strangely ἐπιτιμήσαι (1 aorist active infinitive) for ἐπιτιμμησαι (optative 3 person singular)); or to keep one away from another, Matthew 19:13; Luke 18:15; Mark 10:13; followed by ἵνα (with a verb expressing the opposite of what is censured): Matthew 20:31; Mark 10:48; Luke 18:39; with the addition of λέγων (καί λέγει, or the like) and direct discourse: Mark 1:25 (T omits; WH brackets λέγων); ; Luke 4:35; Luke 23:40 (cf. Psalm 105:9 (); Psalm 118:21 (); Zechariah 3:2; and the use of גָּעַר in Nahum 1:4; Malachi 3:11). Elsewhere in a milder sense, to admonish or charge sharply: τίνι, Matthew 16:22; Mark 8:30; Luke 9:21 (ἐπιτιμήσας αὐτοῖς παρήγγειλεν, followed by the infinitive), Luke 19:39; with ἵνα added, Matthew 16:20 L WH text; Mark 8:30; ἵνα μή, Matthew 12:16; Mark 3:12. (Cf. Trench, § iv; Schmidt, chapter 4, 11.)

Overview of Biblical Usage

The verb carries the idea of speaking with authoritative correction, whether to restrain, to silence, or to restore. It appears across the Gospels, one pastoral epistle, and Jude, spanning confrontations with spiritual powers, the natural order, disciples, crowds, and individual believers.

Christ’s Rebuke of Demonic Forces

From the outset of His public ministry Jesus employed rebuke to silence demons and to liberate the oppressed.
• Mark 1:25 – “Be silent and come out of him!”
• Luke 4:35; 4:41; Mark 3:12; Mark 9:25; Matthew 17:18; Luke 9:42

Each scene displays the unquestioned dominion of the Son of God. The command is brief, personal, and effectual, underscoring that no negotiation is required when divine authority is exercised. The pattern informs deliverance ministry: truth is proclaimed; evil is expelled; and the freed person is restored to wholeness.

Christ’s Rebuke of Creation

Jesus’ word of rebuke is equally potent over inanimate creation.
• Matthew 8:26 – “Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.”
• Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24

The same vocabulary used against personal evil is aimed at impersonal forces, revealing that the chaos threatening the disciples was as subject to His voice as the demons had been. The episode roots assurance for believers facing danger: the Lord can still speak “Silence! Be still!” to any storm.

Christ’s Rebuke of Disciples and Followers

Jesus’ corrective word shapes disciple character.
• Luke 9:55 – He rebukes James and John for a vindictive spirit.
• Mark 8:33 – He rebukes Peter: “Get behind Me, Satan!” Identifying fleshly reasoning with satanic influence warns believers against opposing the divine plan.
• Luke 17:3 – “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Personal rebuke, tempered by immediate forgiveness, becomes a community practice that protects holiness while preserving fellowship.

Warnings to Guard Messianic Secrecy

Several occurrences record Jesus “sternly warning” healed individuals or His own circle not to publicize His identity or miracles (Matthew 12:16; Mark 8:30; Luke 9:21). The authoritative restraint kept the messianic timetable intact, preventing premature confrontation with authorities and shallow messianic expectations.

Human Rebuke Directed at Jesus or Others

Rebuke is not always justified:
• Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15 – Disciples wrongly rebuke those bringing children.
• Matthew 20:31; Mark 10:48; Luke 18:39 – Crowds rebuke blind petitioners.
• Mark 8:32; Matthew 16:22 – Peter rebukes Jesus.

These negative uses expose pride, impatience, and spiritual dullness. Scripture contrasts them with Christ’s righteous rebuke, teaching discernment about when correction aligns with God’s purpose.

Apostolic and Angelic Dimensions

• 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.” Pastoral rebuke stands beside teaching and encouragement, balancing firmness with grace.
• Jude 1:9 – Michael declares, “The Lord rebuke you!” directing judgment to God rather than presuming angelic prerogative. Even the highest created beings exercise restraint, modeling reverent dependence on divine authority.

Responses to Rebuke

Scripture records varied reactions:

– The wind and waves obey immediately.

– Demons depart.

– Peter submits and is later restored.

– One criminal on the cross rebukes the other (Luke 23:40) and turns to Christ in faith.

The desired outcome is transformation, whether of circumstances or hearts.

Theological Implications

1. Lordship of Christ – His word carries absolute power over every realm.
2. Necessity of Correction – Loving, biblical rebuke is integral to discipleship and church health.
3. Humility Before Authority – Even angels defer ultimate judgment to God.
4. Urgency of Right Motives – Illegitimate rebukes reveal self-importance; legitimate rebukes pursue God’s glory and others’ good.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Deliverance ministries must rely on Christ’s delegated authority, not formulaic incantations.
• Pastors and parents exercise rebuke to protect and nurture, coupling firmness with compassion.
• Believers evaluate whether to speak correction by testing motives, scriptural alignment, and likely fruit.
• All rebuke anticipates repentance and restoration, mirroring Christ’s goal in confronting Peter: removal of stumbling blocks and advancement of the gospel mission.

Summary

Strong’s 2008 portrays a decisive, authoritative word that restrains evil, restores order, and refines character. Whether issued by the Lord Himself, by His apostles, or by mature believers, biblical rebuke remains an essential instrument for advancing holiness, preserving truth, and displaying the supremacy of Christ in every sphere.

διεστείλατο επετιμα επετίμα ἐπετίμα επετιμησαν επετίμησαν ἐπετίμησαν επετίμησας επετίμησε επετιμησεν επετίμησεν ἐπετίμησεν επετιμων επετίμων ἐπετίμων επιτιμαν επιτιμάν ἐπιτιμᾷν ἐπιτιμᾶν Επιτιμησαι επιτιμήσαι Ἐπιτιμήσαι επιτιμησας επιτιμήσας ἐπιτιμήσας επιτιμήσει επιτίμησεν επιτιμήσεως επιτιμήσεώς επιτίμησιν επιτιμησον επιτίμησον ἐπιτίμησον επιτιμων επιτιμών ἐπιτιμῶν diesteilato diesteílato epetima epetíma epetimesan epetimēsan epetímesan epetímēsan epetimesen epetimēsen epetímesen epetímēsen epetimon epetimōn epetímon epetímōn epitimā̂in epitiman Epitimesai Epitimēsai Epitimḗsai epitimesas epitimēsas epitimḗsas epitimeson epitimēson epitímeson epitímēson epitimon epitimôn epitimōn epitimō̂nInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts