ἀναβλέπω

anablépō /an-ab-lep'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ἀνά and βλέπω
Meaningto look up; by implication, to recover sight
KJV usagelook (up), see, receive sight.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word anablépō, represented by G308, carries a dual meaning: to look up or, by implication, to recover sight. It is formed from the words ἀνά and βλέπω. Appearing 26 times across 24 unique verses, this term is used to describe both simple physical actions and profound divine miracles.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G308 is central to many of Jesus's miracles. It is used to describe the restoration of sight to the blind G5185, a sign of Jesus's messianic authority, as stated in Matthew 11:5 and Luke 7:22. This act of healing is often immediate, as when Jesus had compassion on two blind men, and "immediately their eyes received sight" Matthew 20:34. The second primary use of G308 is the physical act of looking upward. Jesus is repeatedly described as looking up to heaven before performing a miracle, such as when He blessed the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude (Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of sight and perception:

  • G991 blépō: This primary verb means to look at (literally or figuratively). It is the root of anablépō and often refers to general seeing, as when the newly healed man said, "I see G991 men as trees, walking" after first having been made to look up G308 Mark 8:24.
  • G1492 eídō: Defined as to see (literally or figuratively); by implication... to know, this word often implies a deeper perception or understanding beyond physical sight. It is used when Jesus tells Zacchaeus He must abide at his house after looking up and seeing G1492 him in the tree Luke 19:5.
  • G190 akolouthéō: Meaning to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple), this word frequently describes the response of those who have been healed. After their sight was restored G308, they followed G190 Jesus (Matthew 20:34, Mark 10:52).

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G308 is demonstrated in its specific applications:

  • Evidence of Divine Power: The act of causing the blind to "receive their sight" is presented as direct evidence of Jesus's identity and mission. When asked for a sign, Jesus points to this miracle as a primary credential Luke 7:22. This is also seen in the dramatic restoration of Saul's sight by Ananias Acts 9:17-18.
  • A Posture of Prayer: Jesus's action of "looking up" G308 to heaven before blessing food or performing a healing establishes a clear pattern of acknowledging God the Father as the source of power (Mark 6:41, Mark 7:34).
  • Physical Sight as a Precursor to Discipleship: The connection between receiving sight and following Jesus is a powerful theme. The restoration of vision is immediately followed by the act of discipleship, signifying that seeing Jesus for who He is leads to following Him Luke 18:43.

Summary

In summary, G308 bridges the physical and the spiritual. It describes the literal act of looking upward, often in dependence on God, as well as the miraculous gift of renewed vision. The use of anablépō illustrates that a divine touch not only opens blind eyes but also illuminates the path to discipleship, compelling those who truly see to follow Christ.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 26 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 7×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 6×
  • Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 1st Singular 2×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Feminine 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 24 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Mark (7 verses).

3
Matthew
7
Mark
7
Luke
3
John
4
Acts

Verse Explorer

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