Word Study for G1925 (ἐπιδείκνυμι)

epideíknymi /ep-ee-dike'-noo-mee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐπί and δεικνύω

Meaningto exhibit (physically or mentally)

KJV usageshew.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of epideíknymi — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word epideíknymi, represented by G1925, means to exhibit or shew, both physically and mentally. It is derived from the words ἐπί and δεικνύω. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses, indicating a specific and deliberate usage to convey the act of presenting something for examination or as proof.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G1925 is used to describe the presentation of tangible evidence. After his resurrection, Jesus shewed his disciples his hands and his feet as proof Luke 24:40. When challenged about tribute, Jesus commanded, "Shew me the tribute money" Matthew 22:19. The word also applies to presenting people, as when Jesus told the lepers to "shew yourselves unto the priests" Luke 17:14. It is also used when a supernatural display is requested, such as when the Pharisees desired Jesus to shew them a sign from heaven Matthew 16:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of showing:

G4592 sēmeîon (miracle, sign, token, wonder): This often represents the object that is to be shown. It is used when the Pharisees ask Jesus to shew them a sign from heaven Matthew 16:1.
G1246 diakatelénchomai (to prove downright, i.e. confute): This word can be the result of showing. Apollos convinced the Jews by shewing from the scriptures that Jesus was Christ Acts 18:28.
G1014 boúlomai (to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing): This term describes the intent behind an exhibition. God, willing more abundantly to shew the heirs of promise his unchangeable counsel, confirmed it by an oath Hebrews 6:17.
G4198 poreúomai (to traverse, i.e. travel): This action is often commanded in conjunction with showing something. Jesus instructs the lepers to go and shew themselves to the priests Luke 17:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1925 is centered on the concepts of proof, revelation, and testimony.

A Call for Proof: The word is used when individuals demand proof to validate a claim. The Pharisees and Sadducees came "tempting" Jesus, asking him to shew them a sign, thereby challenging His authority Matthew 16:1.
Divine Revelation: God uses the act of showing to reveal His nature and promises. He chose to shew the "immutability of his counsel" to the heirs of promise Hebrews 6:17. Likewise, Jesus shewed his resurrected body as a physical revelation of his victory over death Luke 24:40.
Public Testimony: Showing something can serve as a public witness. Apollos was shewing by the scriptures to publicly prove that Jesus was the Christ Acts 18:28. The widows in Joppa were shewing the garments Dorcas had made as a testimony to her life and works Acts 9:39.

Summary

In summary, G1925 is more than a simple act of display; it is an active demonstration intended to provide evidence. Whether presenting physical proof like a coin or a resurrected body, or offering intellectual proof from the scriptures, epideíknymi signifies an exhibition for the purpose of convincing, confirming, or bearing witness. It highlights the role of tangible and reasoned evidence within the biblical framework of faith and revelation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 3×
Aorist Active Infinitive 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Middle Participle Nominative Plural Feminine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Matthew and Luke (3 verses each); never once in the other 23.

Matthew

Luke

Acts

Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.