The Greek word anakrázō, represented by G349, means to scream up (aloud) or to cry out. It is formed from ἀνά and κράζω. This specific term appears 5 times in 5 unique verses, often depicting a sudden and intense vocal outburst in response to a startling or supernatural event.
In the biblical narrative, G349 is consistently used to describe a powerful, spontaneous reaction. Men possessed by unclean spirits cry out upon encountering Jesus in the synagogue, an immediate acknowledgment of his presence and authority (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33). This reaction is also seen when a demon-possessed man, upon seeing Jesus, cried out and fell down before him Luke 8:28. The term is not limited to demonic encounters; the disciples also cried out in fear when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, mistaking him for a spirit Mark 6:49. It can also describe a collective, forceful shout, as when the crowd cried out for Pilate to release Barabbas Luke 23:18.
Several related words help define the context and nature of this cry:
- G3004 légō (relate (in words)): This word often follows the initial cry, giving content to the outburst. For example, after the crowd cried out, they were saying, "Away with this man" Luke 23:18.
- G3173 mégas (big...loud): This adjective is used to describe the intensity of the cry, as when the man in the synagogue Luke 4:33 or the demon-possessed man Luke 8:28 cried out with a loud voice.
- G5456 phōnḗ (a tone...voice): This is frequently paired with G349 to specify that the cry is an audible voice. This occurs when men with unclean spirits cry out with a loud voice in the presence of Jesus (Luke 4:33; Luke 8:28).
- G1189 déomai (to beg...petition): This verb can articulate the purpose of the cry. After the demon-possessed man cried out, he began to beseech Jesus not to torment him Luke 8:28.
The theological weight of G349 lies in its function as a marker of spiritual confrontation and profound human emotion.
- Reaction to Divine Authority: The word is predominantly used by those with unclean spirits at the moment they encounter the holiness and power of Jesus. Their "cry out" is an involuntary confession of His identity and a reaction to His authority (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33).
- Expression of Fear and Awe: It captures the raw human response to the supernatural. The disciples' cry upon seeing Jesus on the water is not one of worship but of sheer terror in the face of the unexplainable Mark 6:49.
- Voice of Human Opposition: The term is used for the unified shout of the crowd demanding the death of Jesus and the release of a criminal, illustrating how a collective "cry out" can represent a decisive moment of human rejection of the divine will Luke 23:18.
In summary, G349 is a specific and powerful verb that denotes more than a simple shout; it is a visceral outburst. Whether prompted by fear, demonic torment, or collective fury, this "cry out" signifies a critical moment where inner turmoil becomes an undeniable, audible event. It consistently marks a point of intersection between the human and the divine, often revealing the true nature of the heart or spirit from which the cry originates.
TRV