Word Study for G350 (ἀνακρίνω)

anakrínō /an-ak-ree'-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀνά and κρίνω · properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

KJV usageask, question, discern, examine, judge, search.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of anakrínō — 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 anakrínō, represented by G350, describes the act of scrutiny and investigation. Its base definition is to scrutinize, investigate, interrogate, or determine, leading to translations like "examine," "judge," or "search." It appears 18 times across 14 unique verses, indicating a specific but important role in biblical language, often related to formal examination or careful discernment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G350 is used in several key contexts. It appears in legal or judicial settings, as when Pilate examined Jesus and found no fault in Him Luke 23:14, or when Herod examined the keepers of the prison Acts 12:19. It is also used to describe a careful search for truth, most notably when the Bereans searched the scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings Acts 17:11. The word also carries the weight of spiritual judgment, explaining that spiritual truths must be spiritually discerned 1 Corinthians 2:14, and that the spiritual person judgeth all things 1 Corinthians 2:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of examination and judgment:

G1124 graphḗ (scripture): This word, defined as a document or holy Writ, is the object of examination in a key passage where the Bereans searched the scriptures to confirm the truth Acts 17:11.
G1344 dikaióō (justify): Defined as to render just or innocent, this term contrasts with human judgment. Paul states he is not justified by his own self-assessment, but the Lord is the one who judgeth (anakrínō) him 1 Corinthians 4:4.
G2723 katēgoréō (accuse): Meaning to be a plaintiff or charge with an offense, this is the action that often prompts an examination. Pilate examined Jesus concerning the things whereof the people accuse Him Luke 23:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G350 is significant, particularly in distinguishing between human and divine judgment.

Spiritual Discernment: The word establishes that understanding spiritual matters requires more than natural intellect. The things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man because they are spiritually discerned 1 Corinthians 2:14.
The Foundation of Truth: The act of searching or examining the scriptures is presented as a noble quality. The Bereans are commended for using the scriptures as the standard by which they searched out the truth of the gospel Acts 17:11.
The Supremacy of Divine Judgment: The Apostle Paul uses the term to subordinate human judgment to God's. He considers being judged by men a "very small thing" and does not even judge himself, because the ultimate and true judge is the Lord 1 Corinthians 4:3-4.

Summary

In summary, G350 is more than just a word for asking questions. It conveys a deep sense of scrutiny, whether in a court of law, a personal study of scripture, or the spiritual discernment of divine truths. It underscores the vital distinction between fallible human examination and the perfect, ultimate judgment of God, reminding believers that some truths can only be understood through a spiritual lens.

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 16 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 3×
Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 3×
Present Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Present Passive Indicative 1st Plural 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
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.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
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 14 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (8 verses); never once in the other 24.

Luke

Acts

1 Corinthians

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.