### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōnéō, `{{G2019}}`) is a compound verb derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, `{{G1909}}`), meaning "upon," "over," or "to," and the verb φωνέω (phonéō, `{{G5455}}`), meaning "to sound," "to speak," or "to call." Etymologically, it signifies "to call upon" or "to shout over/at." The core meaning thus encapsulates a sudden, loud, and often public utterance. Its semantic range extends to include exclamations, cries, or shouts that convey strong emotion, whether it be agreement, protest, acclamation, or a demand. The base definition "to call at something, i.e. exclaim" accurately captures this sense of a vocal outburst directed towards a person or situation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōnéō, `{{G2019}}`) appears four times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating the power and often the negative implications of a collective, loud vocalization:
* **[[Luke 23:21]]**: "But they cried out, saying, 'Crucify him, crucify him!'" Here, the term describes the unified, vehement, and hostile demand of the crowd in Jerusalem for the crucifixion of Jesus. It signifies a public outcry of condemnation, a powerful and tragic expression of mob mentality overriding justice.
* **[[Acts 12:22]]**: "And the people kept crying out, 'The voice of a god and not of a man!'" This passage recounts the adulation of Herod Agrippa by the people of Tyre and Sidon. Their cry is one of misguided acclamation, attributing divine status to a mortal. This loud, collective shout highlights the dangers of human pride and idolatry, which immediately preceded Herod's divine judgment.
* **[[Acts 21:34]]**: "And some in the crowd were crying out one thing, some another..." In the context of Paul's arrest in the temple, this verse depicts a scene of utter confusion and chaotic shouting from the crowd. It illustrates a disordered, disparate, and hostile uproar, preventing any clear understanding or resolution. The cries are not unified but rather a cacophony of accusations and demands.
* **[[Acts 22:24]]**: "the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were crying out against him in this way." Following Paul's attempt to explain himself to the crowd, their reaction is a renewed, intense outcry against him. This usage emphasizes a collective, accusatory protest, demonstrating the crowd's deep-seated prejudice and rejection of Paul's message.
Across these occurrences, epiphōnéō consistently denotes a loud, public, and often collective vocalization, frequently expressing strong emotion, whether it be anger, demand, misguided adulation, or confused opposition.
### Related Words & Concepts
ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōnéō, `{{G2019}}`) is closely related to its root verb φωνέω (phonéō, `{{G5455}}`), "to sound, speak, call," but the prefix ἐπί (epi, `{{G1909}}`) adds a sense of direction, intensity, or "upon/against" a target. Other related terms that convey loud vocalizations or shouts include:
* κραυγάζω (kraugazō, `{{G2896}}`): "to cry out, shriek," often implying a more intense, uncontrolled, or desperate cry.
* βοάω (boaō, `{{G994}}`): "to shout, cry aloud," similar to φωνέω but often suggesting a louder, more public cry.
* ἀναφωνέω (anaphōnéō, `{{G338}}`): "to cry out, exclaim," sharing a similar meaning to epiphōnéō but with the prefix ἀνά (ana, `{{G303}}`) suggesting "up" or "upward."
The concept of "crowd dynamics," "public outcry," "acclamation," and "protest" are all central to understanding the contexts in which epiphōnéō is used. It highlights the often volatile and influential nature of collective human voice.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōnéō, `{{G2019}}`) lies primarily in its depiction of human response to divine truth and authority. In every New Testament occurrence, the word is associated with a crowd's vocalizations that are either tragically misguided or directly opposed to God's will and His messengers.
* In [[Luke 23:21]], the crowd's cry for Jesus' crucifixion represents humanity's ultimate rejection of the Messiah. It underscores the profound spiritual blindness and the power of collective sin that led to the atoning death of Christ. This shout is a pivotal moment of human culpability in the passion narrative.
* In [[Acts 12:22]], the acclamation of Herod Agrippa as a god demonstrates the human tendency towards idolatry and the dangers of attributing divine glory to created beings. The immediate divine judgment upon Herod serves as a stark warning against such blasphemy.
* The occurrences in [[Acts 21:34]] and [[Acts 22:24]] illustrate the intense opposition faced by the early apostles as they proclaimed the Gospel. The chaotic and hostile shouts against Paul reveal the spiritual resistance and irrationality often encountered when the truth of Christ challenges established norms or prejudices.
Thus, epiphōnéō frequently marks moments of significant human decision, often flawed or sinful, in response to divine revelation. It emphasizes the potent, often destructive, nature of collective human voice and opinion when it is not aligned with God's purposes.
### Summary
ἐπιφωνέω (epiphōnéō, `{{G2019}}`) describes a loud, public exclamation or shout, typically made by a crowd. Its usage in the New Testament consistently highlights moments of intense public drama and collective vocalization, almost always with negative theological implications. Whether it is the unified, hostile demand for Christ's crucifixion ([[Luke 23:21]]), the misguided and idolatrous acclamation of Herod ([[Acts 12:22]]), or the chaotic and hostile protests against the apostle Paul ([[Acts 21:34]], [[Acts 22:24]]), epiphōnéō underscores the potent, often volatile, nature of collective human voice and opinion. The term serves as a powerful descriptor for instances where human will, often driven by prejudice or spiritual blindness, loudly rejects or perverts divine truth.
TRV