διαγνωρίζω

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ag-no-rid’-zo (with emphasis on the “rid”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1232: The Greek word διαγνωρίζω (diagnōrizō) means to “make known thoroughly” or “publish abroad completely.” It conveys the action of spreading news or information with thoroughness and precision, ensuring the message reaches its intended audience fully and clearly. This rare verb emphasizes not just casual sharing, but a deliberate, comprehensive declaration that leaves no detail obscured.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural)
• Compound of διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + γνωρίζω (gnōrizō, “to make known”)
• Koine Greek origin
• Extremely rare word, appearing just once in the New Testament
• Used in narrative contexts, particularly in relation to divine revelation
• Carries connotations of thoroughness and completion in communication

διαγνωρίζω Morphology:

• διαγνωρίζω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I make thoroughly known
• διαγνωρίσω (future active indicative, 1st person singular) – I will make thoroughly known
• διεγνώρισα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I made thoroughly known
• διεγνώρισαν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they made thoroughly known
• διαγνωρίζειν (present active infinitive) – to make thoroughly known

Origin & History

The compound word διαγνωρίζω emerged from the fusion of the intensifying prefix διά (dia), meaning “through” or “thoroughly,” with the verb γνωρίζω (gnōrizō), “to make known.” While γνωρίζω appears frequently in Greek literature, the compound form διαγνωρίζω is exceedingly rare. It does not appear in classical Greek literature, suggesting it may have been a later development in Koine Greek, the common language of the Hellenistic world.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, the simpler form γνωρίζω appears frequently, but διαγνωρίζω does not occur. Its appearance in Luke’s Gospel represents its sole usage in biblical literature, making it a uniquely Lukan term. This suggests that Luke, known for his precise vocabulary and medical terminology, deliberately chose this rare compound verb to convey the shepherds’ thorough proclamation of what they had witnessed in Bethlehem.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete disclosure – Making known every detail of a message without omission
• Public proclamation – Announcing widely so that many hear the message
• Thorough explanation – Clarifying information in a comprehensive manner
• Diligent reporting – Conveying news with care and attention to accuracy

διαγνωρίζω Translation Options:

• “Made widely known” – Emphasizes the breadth of communication, highlighting how the message spread to multiple hearers
• “Thoroughly declared” – Captures the intensifying force of the διά prefix, stressing the comprehensive nature of the communication
• “Proclaimed abroad” – Reflects both the public nature and the outward movement of the message from its source
• “Spread completely” – Conveys both thoroughness and the expansive reach of the communication
• “Divulged precisely” – Emphasizes the accuracy and completeness in sharing the information

Biblical Usage

The Greek word διαγνωρίζω appears only once in the entire Bible, in Luke 2:17, where it describes the shepherds’ response after seeing the infant Messiah. After receiving the angelic announcement and finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby Yeshua (Jesus) in Bethlehem, the shepherds “made widely known [διεγνώρισαν] the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” This unique usage occurs at a pivotal moment in salvation history—the announcement of the Messiah’s birth.

The shepherds’ action of διαγνωρίζω stands in beautiful parallel to the angels’ announcement (ἀναγγέλλω, anangellō) to them. What was announced to them by heavenly messengers, they in turn thoroughly proclaimed to others on earth. This creates a divine-human communication chain, where God’s revelation flows from heaven to earth and then spreads outward through human testimony.

This sole usage of διαγνωρίζω in Scripture places significant weight on this moment of proclamation. Luke’s choice of this rare, compound verb emphasizes not just that the shepherds told others, but that they did so with thoroughness and precision, ensuring the extraordinary news of the Messiah’s birth was communicated completely.

• “When they had seen Him, they made widely known [διεγνώρισαν] the statement which had been told them about this Child.” Luke 2:17

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, shepherds occupied a complex social position. Though the shepherd metaphor was honored in Scripture (with David and Moses being shepherds, and God Himself described as a shepherd), by the time of Yeshua’s birth, actual shepherds had become marginalized in society. The Mishnah and Talmud reflect this reality, with shepherds often grouped among those whose testimony was considered unreliable in legal proceedings.

This social context makes God’s choice of shepherds as the first evangelists of the Messiah’s birth all the more significant. Those whose word might be questioned in a human court were entrusted with proclaiming (διαγνωρίζω) the most important news in human history. Their diligent proclamation (διαγνωρίζω) would have been countercultural—these men, typically dismissed by religious elites, became authoritative witnesses of divine revelation.

Furthermore, the shepherds near Bethlehem were likely not ordinary shepherds. According to rabbinic tradition, the flocks near Bethlehem were designated for Temple sacrifices. These particular shepherds, then, would have been tending sheep destined for sacrifice, making them unwitting witnesses to the birth of the ultimate Sacrificial Lamb. Their act of διαγνωρίζω connects the old covenant sacrificial system with its fulfillment in the Messiah.

Theological Significance

The appearance of διαγνωρίζω in the narrative of Yeshua’s birth reveals profound theological truths about God’s character and His methods of revelation. First, it demonstrates God’s pattern of using the unlikely and overlooked as His messengers. The shepherds—socially marginalized yet spiritually receptive—become the first human proclaimers of the Messiah’s arrival, thoroughly declaring (διαγνωρίζω) what they had witnessed.

This singular usage also highlights the participatory nature of divine revelation. God does not merely impart information; He invites human participation in the spreading of His truth. The shepherds’ act of διαγνωρίζω represents the appropriate human response to divine revelation—not merely receiving it, but thoroughly transmitting it to others. This establishes a pattern for all believers: what God makes known to us, we are to διαγνωρίζω to others with thoroughness and clarity.

Moreover, the intensifying force of διά in διαγνωρίζω reflects the character of God’s own communication with humanity. Just as the shepherds made the message thoroughly known, God Himself communicates completely and perfectly through His Word and ultimately through the incarnate Word, Yeshua the Messiah. The thoroughness implied in διαγνωρίζω reminds us that God’s revelation is not partial or incomplete but comprehensive and sufficient for our salvation and spiritual growth.

Personal Application

The shepherds’ example of διαγνωρίζω challenges us to examine our own response to God’s revelation. When we encounter divine truth—whether through Scripture, prayer, or spiritual experience—do we keep it to ourselves, or do we make it thoroughly known to others? The shepherds didn’t merely mention what they had seen; they διεγνώρισαν—they made it thoroughly known with precision and completeness.

This rare word invites us to consider the quality of our witness. In an age of superficial communication and abbreviated messages, διαγνωρίζω calls us to depth and thoroughness in sharing the good news of Yeshua. It’s not enough to casually reference our faith; we are called to proclaim it with the same diligence and attention to detail that the shepherds demonstrated. When we grasp the magnitude of God’s grace in our lives, the natural response is to διαγνωρίζω—to make it thoroughly known to others, holding nothing back from our testimony.

Related Words

• γνωρίζω (gnōrizō, “to make known”) – The simpler form without the intensifying prefix διά, referring to making something known without the emphasis on thoroughness. This word appears 25 times in the New Testament, showing the uniqueness of the compound form used by the shepherds. See G1107
• ἀναγγέλλω (anangellō, “to announce, report back”) – Used to describe the angels’ announcement to the shepherds, forming a parallel with the shepherds’ subsequent διαγνωρίζω to others. This word emphasizes reporting back what one has received. See G312
• κηρύσσω (kēryssō, “to herald, proclaim”) – A more formal term for proclamation, often used for official announcements or preaching, while διαγνωρίζω emphasizes the thoroughness of everyday communication. See G2784
• διασαφέω (diasapheō, “to make clear, explain fully”) – Another compound verb with the διά prefix that emphasizes thorough communication, but focusing more on clarity of explanation rather than the spread of information. See G1285
• διαλαλέω (dialaleō, “to discuss thoroughly”) – A compound with διά that emphasizes dialogue and discussion rather than one-way proclamation as with διαγνωρίζω. See G1255

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the shepherds’ act of διαγνωρίζω (making thoroughly known) represents the first human evangelism in the New Testament? Before the apostles, before any formal disciples, these humble shepherds became the first to proclaim the good news of the Messiah’s arrival. Their thorough communication (διαγνωρίζω) established a pattern for Christian witness that would continue through the centuries—ordinary people bearing extraordinary news.
• Did you know that the compound structure of διαγνωρίζω reflects a pattern in Luke’s Gospel of using precise, sometimes medical, terminology? Luke, traditionally understood to be a physician, employs over 300 unique words in his Gospel not found elsewhere in the New Testament. The precision implied in διαγνωρίζω—making something thoroughly known—aligns with the careful, detailed approach Luke takes throughout his account, giving us confidence in the historical reliability of his narrative.
• Did you know that modern medical terminology still uses the διά (dia-) prefix in similar ways to διαγνωρίζω? Terms like “diagnosis” (thoroughly knowing a condition) and “dialysis” (thorough separation) employ the same intensifying prefix. When the shepherds διεγνώρισαν what they had seen, they were essentially providing a thorough “diagnosis” of the spiritual reality they had witnessed, communicating it with the precision we might associate with careful medical reporting.

Remember This

διαγνωρίζω embodies the divine pattern of revelation—what God makes known to us, we are called to make thoroughly known to others, holding nothing back in our witness to His glory and grace.