Lexical Summary anagó: To lead up, to bring up, to set sail Original Word: ἀνάγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring forth, depart, set forth, take up. From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away -- bring (again, forth, up again), depart, launch (forth), lead (up), loose, offer, sail, set forth, take up. see GREEK ana see GREEK ago NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and agó Definition to lead up, bring up NASB Translation bring (2), brought (5), launched (1), led (2), put out to sea (4), putting out to sea (1), set sail (7), setting sail (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 321: ἀνάγωἀνάγω: 2 aorist ἀνήγαγον, infinitive ἀναγαγεῖν (participle ἀναγαγών); passive (present ἀνάγομαι); 1 aorist (cf. under the end) ἀνήχθην; (from Homer down); to lead up, to lead or bring into a higher place; followed by εἰς with accusative of the place: Luke 2:22; Luke 4:5 (T Tr WH omit; L brackets the clause); c. 142 (and in the classics)): Luke 8:22; Acts 13:13; Acts 16:11; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:3, 13; 21:( Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek number 321 portrays purposeful upward or forward movement, whether the launching of a vessel, the leading of a person to a higher place, or the bringing up of someone from confinement or death. Across Scripture the term consistently serves salvation-history by portraying God’s initiative in moving His people, His servants and His Son toward the fulfillment of divine purpose. Seafaring and Missionary Journeys In Acts the word becomes technical language for putting a ship to sea. Luke chooses it for nearly every stage of Paul’s voyages (Acts 13:13; 16:11; 20:13; 21:2; 27:2,4,12,21; 28:10,11), reinforcing the missionary momentum of the early Church. Each time the gospel literally “sets sail,” the same verb reminds the reader that mission is an intentional launching under God’s providence. Acts 16:11: “Setting sail from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis.” The Spirit’s call (Acts 16:10) is immediately matched by movement; theology and travel intertwine. Elevation to High Places The term also describes being carried to an elevated physical location. The Spirit “led” Jesus up into the wilderness for testing (Matthew 4:1), and the devil “led Him up” to a high mountain to display the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5). By using the same verb the Evangelists contrast holy guidance with satanic manipulation while underscoring Christ’s obedience in every circumstance. Likewise, Luke 8:22 notes that Jesus and the disciples “set out” across the lake—again signaling deliberate movement initiated by the Lord. Deliverance and Resurrection When the focus shifts from geography to soteriology the verb still communicates upward motion. Romans 10:7 asks, “Who will descend into the Abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” Hebrews 13:20 blesses “the God of peace, who… brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus.” Here the resurrection is portrayed as an upward deliverance accomplished by the Father. The same word describes Peter’s intended public display after imprisonment (Acts 12:4) and the bringing of Dorcas’ mourners to the upper room (Acts 9:39), hinting at reversal of despair through divine intervention. Guided Movement by Divine Agency Whether the agent is God (Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 13:20), human leadership (Acts 9:39), or the Church in mission (Acts 20:13), the action is never random. Luke repeatedly marks the difference between mere travel and God-directed advance. Even storms cannot override divine purpose; although Paul’s crew reluctantly “were forbidden to set sail” (Acts 27:21), God’s plan still reaches Rome (Acts 28:11). Christological Focus The resurrection texts reveal the ultimate “bringing up” that secures redemption. Because the Father raised Jesus, believers may trust Him to “bring” them safely into His presence (cf. Romans 10:9, contextually linked with 10:7). The same verb that records ships leaving harbor now proclaims the Savior leaving the grave. Ecclesiological and Pastoral Applications 1. Missionary resolve: congregations are called to “set sail” in obedience, confident that God directs the journey. Historical Context First-century readers, familiar with Mediterranean commerce, would sense the risk and faith bound to every voyage. Luke’s nautical precision grounds theology in everyday experience: raising anchor, catching wind, braving storms. Likewise, Roman judicial procedure (Acts 12:4) and Hellenistic burial customs (Acts 9:39) frame the word in concrete settings, making the upward movement of God’s salvation palpable. Reflection for Contemporary Discipleship Every occurrence of Strong’s 321 reminds modern readers that Christian life is neither static nor aimless. The Lord leads upward—sometimes into wilderness testing, often across uncharted waters, ultimately out of death itself. Emboldened by that pattern, believers can launch obediently, endure trials faithfully, and anticipate the final “bringing up” when Christ returns. Forms and Transliterations ανάγαγε ανάγαγέ αναγαγειν αναγαγείν αναγάγειν ἀναγαγεῖν αναγάγετε αναγάγης αναγαγόντες αναγαγόντι αναγάγω αναγαγων αναγαγών ἀναγαγών ἀναγαγὼν ανάγει αναγεσθαι ανάγεσθαι ἀνάγεσθαι αναγομενοις αναγομένοις ἀναγομένοις ανάγον ανάγοντες αναγόντων ανάγουσα ανάγουσι ανάγω ανάγων ανάξει ανάξω Αναχθεντες αναχθέντες Ἀναχθέντες αναχθηναι αναχθήναι ἀναχθῆναι ανήγαγε ανήγαγέ ανήγαγεν ανήγαγες ανήγαγές ανηγάγετε ανηγαγον ανήγαγον ανήγαγόν ἀνήγαγον ανήγγειλαν ανηχθη ανήχθη ἀνήχθη ανηχθημεν ανήχθημεν ἀνήχθημεν ανηχθησαν ανήχθησαν ἀνήχθησαν anachthenai anachthênai anachthēnai anachthē̂nai Anachthentes Anachthéntes anagagein anagageîn anagagon anagagōn anagagṓn anagagṑn anagesthai anágesthai anagomenois anagoménois anechthe anēchthē anḗchthe anḗchthē anechthemen anēchthēmen anḗchthemen anḗchthēmen anechthesan anēchthēsan anḗchthesan anḗchthēsan anegagon anēgagon anḗgagonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:1 V-AIP-3SGRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνήχθη εἰς τὴν NAS: Jesus was led up by the Spirit KJV: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit INT: Jesus was led up into the Luke 2:22 V-AIA-3P Luke 4:5 V-APA-NMS Luke 8:22 V-AIP-3P Acts 7:41 V-AIA-3P Acts 9:39 V-AIA-3P Acts 12:4 V-ANA Acts 13:13 V-APP-NMP Acts 16:11 V-APP-NMP Acts 16:34 V-APA-NMS Acts 18:21 V-AIP-3S Acts 20:3 V-PNM/P Acts 20:13 V-AIP-1P Acts 21:1 V-ANP Acts 21:2 V-AIP-1P Acts 27:2 V-AIP-1P Acts 27:4 V-APP-NMP Acts 27:12 V-ANP Acts 27:21 V-PNM/P Acts 28:10 V-PPM/P-DMP Acts 28:11 V-AIP-1P Romans 10:7 V-ANA Hebrews 13:20 V-APA-NMS Strong's Greek 321 |