3100. mathéteuó
Lexical Summary
mathéteuó: To make a disciple, to teach, to instruct.

Original Word: μαθητεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mathéteuó
Pronunciation: math-ayt-yoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (math-ayt-yoo'-o)
KJV: be disciple, instruct, teach
NASB: become a disciple, made disciples, make disciples
Word Origin: [from G3101 (μαθητής - disciples)]

1. (intransitively) to become a pupil
2. (transitively) to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
disciple, instruct, teach.

From mathetes; intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e. Enrol as scholar -- be disciple, instruct, teach.

see GREEK mathetes

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3100 mathēteúō (from 3101 /mathētḗs, "disciple") – to disciple, i.e. helping someone to progressively learn the Word of God to become a matured, growing disciple (literally, "a learner," a true Christ-follower); to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required, i.e. helping a believer learn to be a disciple of Christ in belief and practice. See 3101 (mathētēs).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from mathétés
Definition
to be a disciple, to make a disciple
NASB Translation
become a disciple (2), made...disciples (1), make disciples (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3100: μαθητεύω

μαθητεύω: 1 aorist ἐμαθήτευσα; 1 aorist passive ἐμαθητευθην; (μαθητής);

1. intransitive, τίνι, to be the disciple of one; to follow his precepts and instruction: Matthew 27:57 R G WH marginal reading, cf. John 19:38 (so Plutarch, mor., pp. 832 b. (vit. Antiph. 1), 837 c. (vit. Isocrates 10); Jamblichus, vit. Pythag c. 23).

2. transitive (cf. Winers Grammar, p. 23 and § 38, 1; (Buttmann, § 131, 4)) to make a disciple; to teach, instruct: τινα, Matthew 28:19; Acts 14:21; passive with a dative of the person whose disciple one is made, Matthew 27:57 L T Tr WH text; μαθητευθείς εἰς τήν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανοῦ (see γραμματεύς, 3), Matthew 13:52 Rec., where long since the more correct reading τῇ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν was adopted, but without changing the sense; (yet Lachmann inserts ἐν).

Topical Lexicon
Root Idea and Conceptual Background

The verb behind Strong’s 3100 describes the intentional, relational process by which a learner is brought under the influence of a master-teacher so as to adopt his teaching, lifestyle, and mission. It moves beyond classroom instruction to a covenantal allegiance that re-orders priorities (Luke 14:26-27) and re-shapes conduct (John 8:31). In the Gospel record, the act is inseparably tied to faith in Jesus Christ, baptism, and ongoing obedience (Matthew 28:19-20).

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 13:52 — Jesus likens “every scribe who has been discipled for the kingdom of heaven” to a householder unveiling “new treasures as well as old.” The verb underscores how kingdom instruction transforms even a trained Torah scholar, equipping him to interpret both the Hebrew Scriptures and Christ’s revelation in harmonious continuity.

Matthew 27:57 — Joseph of Arimathea “had also become a disciple of Jesus.” Here the aorist passive suggests a completed transition: a respected Sanhedrin member now stands publicly with the crucified Messiah. The usage highlights that genuine discipleship can emerge from unexpected quarters and entails costly allegiance (cf. John 19:38).

Matthew 28:19 — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The lone imperative in the Great Commission is the verb of Strong’s 3100. Evangelism, baptism, and lifelong obedience flow from—and serve—the discipling mandate. The scope (“all nations”) reveals the universal intent of the gospel, fulfilling Genesis 12:3.

Acts 14:21 — Paul and Barnabas “preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples.” The verse couples proclamation with discipling, indicating that apostolic strategy never ended with professions of faith but aimed at establishing stable, instructed communities (Acts 14:22-23).

Discipleship in First-Century Culture

In Judaism, disciples attached themselves to rabbis (e.g., Acts 22:3) and learned by imitation. Greco-Roman philosophers likewise gathered pupils. Jesus honors the form yet radicalizes the content: He calls disciples to Himself (Matthew 4:19) rather than merely to His Torah exposition, and He demands supreme loyalty even above family ties (Matthew 10:37).

Theological Significance

1. Christ-Centered Allegiance: Discipleship is directed to the person of Jesus, validating His divine authority (John 20:28).
2. Trinitarian Pattern: Matthew 28:19 grounds disciple-making in the triune name, wedding salvation history to God’s eternal being.
3. Word and Sacrament: The verb stands amid commands to baptize and teach, demonstrating that discipleship is initiated publicly and nurtured doctrinally.
4. Missional Continuity: From Joseph’s private courage to Paul’s church-planting, the same verb links gospel reception and kingdom expansion, assuring scriptural coherence.

Historical Trajectory in Church Practice

Early catechesis (Didache 1-6) echoed the Great Commission by pairing baptism with moral instruction. Patristic writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.14.2) framed church life as the ongoing discipling of the nations. The Reformation reclaimed Bible exposition as the primary means of forming disciples, while modern missionary movements (e.g., William Carey) rested explicitly on Matthew 28:19. Throughout, the verb accents relational transmission—minister to person, generation to generation.

Implications for Contemporary Ministry

• Goal: Churches measure health not merely by attendance but by the reproduction of mature, obedient followers of Christ.
• Method: Gospel proclamation, baptism, biblical teaching, mentoring, and sacrificial community life converge to fulfill the mandate.
• Scope: Every ethnicity and social stratum remain within view; discipleship is not a Western import but a divine imperative.
• Cost: Like Joseph of Arimathea, modern believers may face cultural or professional risk, yet discipleship demands visible identification with the crucified and risen Lord.

Interrelated Terms and Concepts

μαθητής (disciple) — the noun counterpart, over 260 uses, depicting the learner.

διδάσκω (teach) — often paired with Strong’s 3100, emphasizing content delivery within the discipling relationship.

πίστις (faith) and ὑπακοή (obedience) — inner trust and outward submission form the warp and woof of lived discipleship.

Summary

Strong’s 3100 conveys the comprehensive call to shape lives in conformity with Jesus Christ, rooted in His redemptive work and propelled by His authority. From the first century to the present, it anchors Christian mission, binds together gospel proclamation and pastoral nurture, and summons every believer into the unbroken chain of making—and being made—disciples.

Forms and Transliterations
εμαθητευθη ἐμαθητεύθη εμαθήτευσε μαθητευθεις μαθητευθείς μαθητευθεὶς μαθητευσαντες μαθητεύσαντες μαθητευσατε μαθητεύσατε ematheteuthe ematheteúthe emathēteuthē emathēteúthē matheteusantes matheteúsantes mathēteusantes mathēteúsantes matheteusate matheteúsate mathēteusate mathēteúsate matheteutheis matheteutheìs mathēteutheis mathēteutheìs
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 13:52 V-APP-NMS
GRK: πᾶς γραμματεὺς μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ
NAS: scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom
KJV: scribe [which is] instructed unto
INT: every scribe having discipled into the kingdom

Matthew 27:57 V-AIP-3S
GRK: καὶ αὐτὸς ἐμαθητεύθη τῷ Ἰησοῦ
NAS: had also become a disciple of Jesus.
KJV: was Jesus' disciple:
INT: also himself was discipled to Jesus

Matthew 28:19 V-AMA-2P
GRK: πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ
NAS: therefore and make disciples of all
KJV: therefore, and teach all
INT: having gone therefore disciple all the

Acts 14:21 V-APA-NMP
GRK: ἐκείνην καὶ μαθητεύσαντες ἱκανοὺς ὑπέστρεψαν
NAS: to that city and had made many
KJV: and had taught many,
INT: that and having discipled many they returned

Strong's Greek 3100
4 Occurrences


ἐμαθητεύθη — 1 Occ.
μαθητεύσαντες — 1 Occ.
μαθητεύσατε — 1 Occ.
μαθητευθεὶς — 1 Occ.

3099
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