### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐκδιώκω (ekdiṓkō), Strong's `{{G1559}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb διώκω (diṓkō), meaning "to pursue" or "to chase." The prefix ἐκ intensifies the action of διώκω, conveying a sense of completion, expulsion, or relentless pursuit *outward*. Thus, the core meaning of ekdiṓkō is "to pursue out" or "to chase away." Its semantic range extends to "to drive out," "to expel," and most significantly in biblical usage, "to persecute implacably" or "to hound relentlessly." This implies not merely casual opposition, but a determined, hostile, and often violent effort to remove, oppress, or destroy. The "implacable" nature suggests an unyielding animosity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐκδιώκω appears three times in the New Testament, consistently describing severe and hostile actions against God's messengers:
1. **[[Matthew 23:34]]**: In Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, He prophesies, "Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and *persecute* (ἐκδιώκω) from city to city." Here, ekdiṓkō describes the relentless and widespread persecution that the religious authorities of Jerusalem would inflict upon Jesus' disciples, driving them from one place to another, often leading to their death. The context emphasizes the violent rejection of God's emissaries by those who claimed to serve Him.
2. **[[Luke 11:49]]**: This verse presents a parallel to [[Matthew 23:34]], as Jesus declares, "Therefore also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and *persecute* (ἐκδιώκω).'" The usage here reinforces the theme of the world's hostility towards divine truth and its messengers. The active ekdiṓkō highlights the deliberate and aggressive nature of this opposition, leading to the suffering and martyrdom of those sent by God.
3. **[[1 Thessalonians 2:15]]**: Paul, in describing the opposition he faced, states concerning certain Jews, "who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and *drove us out* (ἐκδιώκω), and do not please God, but are contrary to all men." Here, ekdiṓkō clearly conveys the sense of expulsion and relentless persecution. Paul and his companions were not merely opposed, but actively pursued and driven out of cities, mirroring the treatment of the prophets before them. This verse underscores the historical pattern of hostility towards God's chosen ones, culminating in the crucifixion of Christ and the persecution of His apostles.
In all occurrences, ekdiṓkō denotes a severe, active, and often violent form of persecution or expulsion, directed against those who represent God's truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is διώκω (diṓkō) `{{G1377}}`, the base verb from which ekdiṓkō is formed. While διώκω can have a positive connotation (e.g., "to pursue righteousness," [[Romans 14:19]]), when used in the context of human relationships, it frequently means "to persecute." ekdiṓkō intensifies this negative sense, adding the notion of driving *out* or completely hounding.
Other related terms include:
* διωγμός (diōgmos) `{{G1375}}`: The noun form of persecution, referring to the act or state of being persecuted.
* ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) `{{G1544}}`: To cast out, drive out, expel. While ekballō focuses on the act of expulsion, ekdiṓkō emphasizes the preceding relentless pursuit and hounding that leads to the expulsion.
* θλῖψις (thlipsis) `{{G2347}}`: Tribulation, affliction, distress. This term describes the general suffering that often results from ekdiṓkō.
Concepts associated with ekdiṓkō include:
* **Hostility and Antagonism:** A deep-seated opposition to God's will and His people.
* **Rejection:** The act of refusing to accept divine truth or its messengers.
* **Martyrdom:** The ultimate consequence of implacable persecution, as seen in [[Matthew 23:34]] and [[Luke 11:49]].
* **Suffering for Christ:** The experience of believers who face opposition because of their faith, as prophesied by Jesus and experienced by the apostles.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ekdiṓkō is profound. It consistently portrays the intense and often violent opposition that God's truth and His messengers face in a fallen world. This word underscores several key biblical themes:
1. **The Conflict of Kingdoms:** ekdiṓkō vividly illustrates the inherent conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Those who ekdiṓkō God's people are acting under the influence of spiritual rebellion, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness and hostility towards divine light.
2. **The Pattern of Rejection:** The repeated use of ekdiṓkō in relation to prophets, Jesus, and the apostles reveals a consistent historical pattern of humanity's rejection of God's overtures. From the Old Testament prophets to Christ Himself, and then to the early church, God's messengers have often been met with fierce antagonism, leading to their expulsion or death.
3. **The Cost of Discipleship:** Jesus' warnings in [[Matthew 23:34]] and [[Luke 11:49]] serve as a sober reminder that following Him entails a readiness to endure ekdiṓkō. Persecution is not an anomaly but an expected part of the Christian experience, aligning believers with the suffering of Christ and the prophets who preceded them ([[Matthew 5:10-12]]).
4. **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Opposition:** Despite the severity of ekdiṓkō, the biblical narrative consistently shows God's sovereign hand at work. The persecution, though evil in intent, often serves to spread the Gospel ([[Acts 8:1-4]]) and refine the faith of believers.
### Summary
ἐκδιώκω (ekdiṓkō) `{{G1559}}` is a powerful Greek verb meaning "to pursue out," "to expel," or "to persecute implacably." Formed from ἐκ (out) and διώκω (to pursue), it denotes a relentless and hostile effort to remove, oppress, or destroy. In the New Testament, it is exclusively used to describe the severe persecution and expulsion faced by God's prophets, Jesus, and His apostles. Theologically, ekdiṓkō highlights the inherent conflict between God's kingdom and the forces of darkness, the historical pattern of humanity's rejection of divine truth, and the anticipated suffering that is part of faithful discipleship. It underscores the profound antagonism directed towards those who bear God's message, yet within this suffering, God's sovereign purposes continue to unfold.
TRV