Word Study for G3036 (λιθοβολέω)

lithoboléō /lith-ob-ol-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom a compound of λίθος and βάλλω

Meaningto throw stones, i.e. lapidate

KJV usagestone, cast stones.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lithoboléō — 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 lithoboléō, represented by G3036, is defined as to throw stones, i.e. lapidate. The word comes from a compound of λίθος and βάλλω. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible, consistently describing the act of stoning as a form of execution or violent assault.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G3036 is used in several key contexts. It is presented as a form of capital punishment under the law, as when accusers state, "Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned" John 8:5. The word is frequently associated with the persecution of God's messengers; Jesus laments over Jerusalem, a city that "stonest them which are sent unto thee" (Matthew 23:37, Luke 13:34). The book of Acts provides a direct account of its use in the martyrdom of Stephen, who was cast out of the city and stoned Acts 7:58-59.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the contexts in which stoning occurs:

G615 apokteínō (to kill outright): Often used in parallel with stoning, this word emphasizes its lethal intent. Jerusalem is described as the city that "killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent" Luke 13:34.
G1781 entéllomai (to enjoin): This word establishes the legal pretext for stoning. In John's account, accusers refer to the law of Moses which "commanded us, that such should be stoned" John 8:5.
G1544 ekbállō (to eject): This highlights the process of an execution by stoning. Before his death, Stephen was first cast out of the city and then stoned Acts 7:58.

Theological Significance

The narrative weight of G3036 is significant. It represents a recurring theme of lethal rejection.

Judicial Execution: Stoning is presented as a penalty prescribed by Law. This is referenced both as a direct command John 8:5 and in an Old Testament context where even a beast touching the holy mountain "shall be stoned" Hebrews 12:20.
Rejection of Divine Messengers: The act of stoning becomes a powerful symbol for the rejection of those sent by God. Jesus laments that Jerusalem stones the prophets sent to it Matthew 23:37, a pattern that is seen in the death of Stephen Acts 7:59.
Hostility Towards the Gospel: The threat of stoning is directed at those spreading the gospel, as seen when an "assault" was planned by Gentiles and Jews to stone them Acts 14:5.

Summary

In summary, G3036 is more than a simple descriptor for a method of execution. It functions as a significant marker of conflict and rejection within the biblical narrative. From its basis as a legal punishment in the Mosaic Law to its repeated use against God's prophets and apostles, lithoboléō illustrates the ultimate hostility shown towards divine authority and its messengers, culminating in foundational stories of persecution and martyrdom.

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 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
Present Active Participle Vocative Singular Feminine 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Infinitive 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Vocative: Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
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 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (3 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

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.