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G1718 · Greek · New Testament
ἐμφανίζω
emphanizo
Verb
make visible, manifest, report, appear, make known

Definition

Emphanizo means to make visible, manifest, or known — and also has a legal/official use meaning to report or lodge a complaint. It appears 10 times in the NT with this dual meaning: spiritual disclosure (Jesus revealing Himself) and legal disclosure (informing authorities).

Usage & Theological Significance

John 14:21-22 contains two uses in close succession: Jesus promises to 'show myself [emphanizo]' to those who love Him, while Judas (not Iscariot) asks why He doesn't manifest Himself to the world. This passage is the heart of NT emphanizo theology: Christ's self-disclosure is relational and conditional on love and obedience, not a public spectacle. Acts 23:15 and 23:22 use the word for the Jews' legal scheme to 'report' Paul to authorities — the same word for divine and human disclosure, showing how radically the NT repurposes mundane vocabulary for theological use. Hebrews 9:24 says Christ entered heaven 'to appear [emphanizo] for us in God's presence' — an ongoing intercession expressed as continued divine self-manifestation on our behalf.

Key Bible Verses

John 14:21 Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself [emphanizo] to them.
Hebrews 9:24 He entered heaven itself, now to appear [emphanizo] for us in God's presence.
John 14:22 Lord, why do you intend to show yourself [emphanizo] to us and not to the world?
Acts 23:22 The commander dismissed the young man with this order: 'Don't tell anyone you have reported [emphanizo] this to me.'
Matthew 27:53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus's resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared [emphanizo] to many people.

Related Words

External Resources

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