BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Ginōskō (γινώσκω) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
γινώσκω (ginōskō) is the standard Greek verb for 'to know,' covering a wide range from simple awareness to deep, relational knowledge.
Meaning of the word
γινώσκω is a versatile verb rendered in English as 'to know.' Its meaning extends from basic perception — being aware of something or someone — to a fuller, relational sense of knowledge that involves experience, recognition, or commitment.
The lexicon summary allows for a 'great variety of applications,' so the same word can describe factual acquaintance (knowing a person's name), observation (knowing what one's hand is doing), or the deeper knowledge between persons that the Gospels emphasize in Jesus' relationship with the Father and with believers.
Usage in Scripture
In Matthew, γινώσκω appears in everyday ethical contexts. In Matthew 6:3 the giver is told to act so secretly that even the left hand does not 'know' what the right is doing, using the word for practical awareness. In Matthew 7:23 Jesus declares, 'I never knew you,' employing γινώσκω in a relational sense—denying intimate knowledge of those who practice lawlessness.
The Gospel of John uses γινώσκω heavily to connect knowing with believing and seeing. John 1:10 laments that the world did not know its Creator. In John 14, Jesus builds an entire discourse on mutual knowledge: to know him is to know the Father (14:7), and seeing him is seeing the Father (14:9). The Spirit of truth is known because he abides with believers (14:17), and disciples will come to know the unity of Father, Son, and believers (14:20). John 15:18 and 16:3 use the verb to explain the world's hostility: the world hates because it has not known the Father or the Son.
The word in detail
- G1097 γινώσκω is a common NT verb (31 occurrences across 28 verses in this dataset) that spans factual awareness, experiential recognition, and intimate relational knowledge. John's Gospel in particular uses it to describe mutual indwelling knowledge between the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and believers.
Example verses
- John 1:10 The world 'knew' not its Creator through whom it was made—γινώσκω here points to a failure of relational recognition, not mere ignorance.
- John 14:7 Knowing Jesus is tied directly to knowing the Father; γινώσκω expresses an identity-level knowledge that links the two persons.
- John 14:9 Seeing Jesus equals seeing the Father—γινώσκω here is closely tied to vision, presenting knowledge as the result of truly encountering the Son.
- John 16:3 The world's persecution is traced to not having 'known' the Father or the Son—γινώσκω marks the absence of saving knowledge.
Common questions
What is the basic meaning of γινώσκω (G1097)?
It is the standard Greek verb 'to know,' covering perception, recognition, and intimate relational knowledge.
Does γινώσκω always mean deep, spiritual knowledge?
No. It can describe simple awareness (Matthew 6:3) as well as intimate relational knowledge (John 14:7, 9). Context determines the sense.
How is γινώσκω used in John's Gospel?
John links γινώσκω closely with seeing and believing, presenting knowledge of the Father and the Son as a unified, relational reality for believers.