### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀγρεύω (agreúō, `{{G64}}`) derives from the noun ἄγρα (ágra, `{{G61}}`), which denotes "a catch" of fish or game, or the act of hunting itself. Fundamentally, ἀγρεύω signifies the act of hunting, trapping, or catching prey. Its semantic range extends from the literal pursuit and capture of animals to a more figurative application, implying the use of cunning or deceit to ensnare someone. This figurative sense, "to entrap," is particularly relevant for its New Testament usage, highlighting a deliberate attempt to corner or trick an individual, often with malicious intent.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἀγρεύω (agreúō, `{{G64}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Mark:
* **[[Mark 12:13]]**: "And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words."
* In this pivotal passage, the Pharisees and Herodians conspire to "catch" (ἀγρεύω) Jesus. Their intent is not to learn or understand, but to find fault with His words, to lay a verbal trap that would compromise Him either with the Roman authorities or with the Jewish populace.
* The context is one of hostile interrogation. The question about paying taxes to Caesar is designed as a dilemma: a "yes" would alienate Him from the Jewish people, a "no" would make Him an enemy of Rome.
* Here, ἀγρεύω emphatically conveys the idea of setting a snare, a cunning attempt to trick someone into a damaging admission or statement. It underscores the deceptive and adversarial nature of their interaction with Jesus.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of trapping or ensnaring is present in various forms throughout the biblical text.
* **Root Word:** ἄγρα (ágra, `{{G61}}`), meaning "a catch" or "hunting," directly informs the core meaning of ἀγρεύω.
* **Synonyms/Related Concepts in the Semantic Field of Trapping:**
* παγιδεύω (pagideuō, `{{G3802}}`): To ensnare, to set a trap. This word is used in a very similar context in [[Matthew 22:15]], where the Pharisees plot "how they might entangle him in his talk."
* θηρεύω (thēreuō, `{{G2339}}`): To hunt, to catch wild beasts; figuratively, to ensnare. While not directly related by root, it shares the primary semantic domain of hunting and trapping.
* δολόω (doloō, `{{G1388}}`): To ensnare by deceit, to corrupt. This emphasizes the element of trickery inherent in ἀγρεύω.
* πειράζω (peirazō, `{{G3985}}`): To test, to tempt, often with the negative connotation of trying to find fault or lead into sin. The attempt to "catch" Jesus in His words is a form of testing designed to make Him stumble.
* **Old Testament Parallels:** The imagery of snares and traps is common in the Old Testament, often used to describe the plots of the wicked against the righteous (e.g., [[Psalm 140:5]], [[Proverbs 29:5]]) or the consequences of sin ([[Proverbs 5:22]]). The Hebrew word יָקוֹשׁ (yaqosh, `{{H3369}}`), "to lay a snare," carries a similar intent of malicious entrapment.
### Theological Significance
The singular New Testament use of ἀγρεύω (agreúō, `{{G64}}`) in [[Mark 12:13]] carries profound theological weight, primarily in its depiction of the adversarial relationship between human cunning and divine wisdom.
* **Hostility Towards Christ:** The word vividly portrays the intense and deceptive opposition Jesus faced. The attempt to "catch" Him was not a genuine inquiry but a calculated effort to discredit, condemn, or silence Him, revealing the depth of human hostility towards God's revelation.
* **Verbal Warfare and Deception:** Agreúō highlights the use of words as weapons. The "hunting" is not physical but intellectual and spiritual, aiming to manipulate discourse and trap the speaker. This underscores the insidious nature of verbal deception when employed against truth.
* **Divine Wisdom's Triumph:** Despite the cunning efforts to ensnare Him, Jesus consistently demonstrates a wisdom that transcends and exposes human machinations. His answers not only evade the trap but often turn the question back on His interrogators, revealing their malicious intent and their own spiritual blindness. This illustrates the futility of human plots against God's purposes.
* **Spiritual Discernment:** The incident serves as a crucial lesson in spiritual discernment. Believers are called to be aware of and guard against similar "traps" – whether from overt adversaries or subtle temptations – that seek to undermine faith or lead astray.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀγρεύω (agreúō, `{{G64}}`), derived from ἄγρα (`{{G61}}`) meaning "a catch," fundamentally denotes the act of hunting or capturing prey. While its literal sense is to ensnare animals, its sole New Testament appearance in [[Mark 12:13]] powerfully conveys its figurative meaning: "to entrap" or "to ensnare" someone through cunning words. In this context, it describes the malicious intent of Jesus' adversaries who sought to trick Him into a statement that could be used against Him. The theological significance of agreúω thus lies in its portrayal of the cunning and deceptive tactics employed by those hostile to divine truth, and implicitly, highlights the supreme wisdom of Christ that consistently foils such attempts.
TRV