Original Word: πλανάω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: planaó
Pronunciation: plan-ah'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (plan-ah'-o)
KJV: go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way
NASB: deceived, mislead, deceive, deceives, gone astray, mistaken, deceiving
Word Origin: [from G4106 (πλάνη - error)]

1. (properly) to cause to stray from the straight path (i.e. to roam, wander)
2. (figuratively) to lead astray from safety, truth, or moral uprightness
3. (by implication) to deceive, mislead

deceive, err, seduce, wander

From plane; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) -- go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

see GREEK plane

4105 planáō – properly, go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled.

[4105 (planáō) is the root of the English term, planet ("wandering body"). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming (for an exception – see Heb 11:38).]

Word Origin
from plané
Definition
to cause to wander, to wander
NASB Translation
deceive (3), deceived (9), deceives (3), deceiving (2), go astray (1), gone astray (3), leads...astray (2), led astray (1), misguided (1), mislead (4), misleads (2), misled (1), mistaken (3), straying (2), strays (1), wandering (1).

STRONGS NT 4105: πλανάω

πλανάω, πλανῶ; future πλανήσω; 1 aorist ἐπλάνησα; passive, present πλανωμαι; perfect πεπλάνημαι; 1 aorist ἐπλανήθην; (πλάνη); from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. for הִתְעָה; to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the rigid way;

a. properly; in passive, the Sept. chiefly for תָּעָה, to go astray, wander, roam about (first so in Homer, Iliad 23, 321): Matthew 18:12; 1 Peter 2:25 (from Isaiah 53:6, cf. Exodus 23:4; Psalm 118:176 (); Hebrews 11:38.

b. metaphorically, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive: τινα, Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5, 6; John 7:12; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:13a; Revelation 2:20 G L T Tr WH; ; ἑαυτόν, 1 John 1:8; passive, to be led into error (R. V. be led astray): Luke 21:8; John 7:47; Revelation 2:20 Rec.; to err, Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24, 27; μή πλανᾶσθε, 1 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7; James 1:16; especially through ignorance to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin: Titus 3:3; Hebrews 5:2; τῇ καρδία, Hebrews 3:10; ἀπό τῆς ἀληθείας, James 5:19; to wander or fall away from the true faith, of heretics, 2 Timothy 3:13b; 2 Peter 2:15; to be led away into error and sin, Revelation 18:23. (Compare: ἀποπλανάω.)

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4105 is the New Testament’s principal verb for spiritual or moral deception, appearing thirty-nine times. The contexts range from pastoral concern for an erring sheep to the end-time global seduction engineered by Satan, thus forming a unified biblical theology of wandering from truth.

Semantic Range and Conceptual Themes

1. Leading another into error (active).
2. Being led astray (passive/middle).
3. Literal or figurative wandering.

The term is morally charged: the “wandering” is never neutral but always away from God’s revealed will.

Usage in the Synoptic Gospels

• Matthew 18:12-13 portrays the Shepherd leaving the ninety-nine “for the one that has gone astray,” illustrating God’s rescuing heart.
• The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24; Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8) repeatedly warns, “See to it that no one deceives you,” tying end-time deception to false messiahs, prophets, and counterfeit signs.
• Mark 12:24, 27 rebukes doctrinal error: “Are you not deceived because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” Correct doctrine guards against deception.

Johannine Writings

• John 7:12, 47 shows Jewish leaders labeling Jesus as one who “leads the crowd astray,” revealing how spiritual blindness can invert truth.
• 1 John concentrates on safeguarding the flock: “Children, do not let anyone deceive you” (1 John 3:7); discernment tests spirits and teachers (1 John 2:26).
• Revelation elevates the verb to cosmic proportions: the dragon “who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9) will, through the beast and false prophet, “deceive those who dwell on the earth” (13:14) until final judgment (20:10).

Pauline Admonitions

Paul applies the verb to moral laxity and doctrinal compromise.
• “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral… will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
• “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
• “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked” (Galatians 6:7).
• The last days will see “evil men and impostors… deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

In every case the antidote is truth believed and obeyed.

Petrine Perspective

• 1 Peter 2:25 recalls Isaiah’s shepherd imagery: “You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
• 2 Peter 2:15 indicts false teachers who “have gone astray” after Balaam’s greed, highlighting deception’s link with covetousness.

General Epistles

• James warns against self-deception: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers” (James 1:16) and urges rescuing the wanderer (James 5:19-20).
• Hebrews speaks of the wilderness generation that “always go astray in their hearts” (Hebrews 3:10) and of priests who minister gently to “the ignorant and misguided” (Hebrews 5:2).

Apocalyptic Context

Revelation gathers every strand:

– Present deception within the church (Revelation 2:20).

– Economic-cultural seduction of Babylon (18:23).

– Ultimate, worldwide deception by Satan (19:20; 20:3, 8, 10).

Deliverance comes only through Christ’s final victory.

Old Testament Background

The Greek verb translates Hebrew roots for “wander” (תָּעָה) and “lead astray” (שָׁגָה) in the Septuagint, preserving images of scattered sheep, false prophets, and wayward hearts (for example Ezekiel 34:6; Isaiah 53:6).

Theological Significance

1. Deception is a hallmark of the fallen order and of Satan’s strategy.
2. God’s truth, embodied in Scripture and in Christ, is the fixed reference point.
3. Human responsibility is emphasized: “See to it” (Matthew 24:4), “Do not be deceived” (Galatians 6:7).
4. Divine initiative rescues the straying: the Shepherd seeks, the Spirit convicts, and the Word illuminates.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching and teaching must aim for doctrinal clarity to prevent error (Mark 12:24).
• Church discipline and pastoral care pursue the wandering believer (James 5:19-20; Matthew 18:12-14).
• Discernment in the last days demands scriptural literacy and spiritual vigilance (2 Timothy 3:13-17).
• Global missions confront satanic deception with gospel truth (Revelation 20:8; Matthew 24:14).

Christ as Shepherd to the Wandering

The recurring shepherd imagery (Matthew 18; 1 Peter 2) culminates in the Lamb-Shepherd of Revelation 7:17. The One accused of leading astray (John 7:47) is in fact the infallible Guide who brings His sheep safely home.

Eschatological Victory

The verb’s final occurrences (Revelation 20:3, 8, 10) show Satan ultimately restrained, released, and eternally judged “so that he might not deceive the nations any longer.” Deception is temporary; truth prevails forever.

Conclusion

Strong’s 4105 traces the peril of wandering from God and the promise of divine rescue. From pastoral parable to apocalyptic climax, Scripture consistently warns, “Do not be deceived,” while offering the sure hope of the Shepherd who gathers every erring sheep into everlasting truth.

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