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G1166 · Greek · New Testament
δείκνυμι
Deiknumi
Verb
show / demonstrate / reveal / point out / prove

Definition

Deiknumi (δείκνυμι) means to show or demonstrate — to make something visible, to point it out, to prove it by evidence. It covers: physical pointing ('show me the place'), visual revelation (God showing Moses the land), demonstrating through argument, and the apocalyptic 'showing' of divine visions.

Usage & Theological Significance

John's Gospel uses deiknumi in the profound statement of Jesus: 'The Son can do nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself is doing' (John 5:19-20). The Son's ministry is a revelation of what the Father shows — divine communication within the Trinity expressed as mutual showing. Revelation uses the word for the Angel 'showing' John the visions: 'Come, I will show you' (Revelation 17:1; 21:9). James 2:18 challenges without works: 'Show me your faith apart from your works' — deiknumi as proof-by-demonstration.

Key Bible Verses

John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
James 2:18 But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Revelation 21:9-10 Then came one of the seven angels... and he spoke to me, saying, 'Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.'
John 20:20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Word Study

Jesus's post-resurrection 'showing' of His wounds (John 20:20) is a decisive moment: deiknumi used for the evidence of the resurrection — hands and side that bore real wounds from a real cross. Faith is not blind; it is grounded in what God has shown. The entire Book of Revelation is structured as a 'showing' (apokalupsis — uncovering/revealing), and deiknumi structures its visionary tours. God's ultimate purpose is to 'show' His glory to the nations — the entire story of Scripture is this grand display.

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