διασῴζω

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-SOAD-zoh (the ω is pronounced as a long “o” sound)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1295: Διασῴζω (diasōzō) means to save thoroughly, to bring safely through, to rescue completely from danger, disease, or death. It conveys the concept of complete deliverance that carries someone through a threatening situation to safety. This powerful verb emphasizes not just initial salvation but the entire process of being protected and delivered to a place of security and wholeness.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of διά (dia, “through, thoroughly”) + σῴζω (sōzō, “to save, deliver, protect”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Usage Context: Primarily found in narrative passages (especially in Luke-Acts and Matthew)
• Frequency: Appears 8 times in the New Testament
• Tense Usage: Often appears in aorist (completed action) or future forms, emphasizing effectual salvation

Διασῴζω Morphology:

• διασῴζω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I thoroughly save/bring safely through
• διασώσει (future active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it will thoroughly save
• διασωθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be thoroughly saved/brought safely through
• διεσώθησαν (aorist passive indicative, 3rd person plural) – they were thoroughly saved/brought safely through
• διασώσαντες (aorist active participle, nominative masculine plural) – having thoroughly saved/brought safely through

Origin & History

Διασῴζω has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it was commonly used to describe rescue from perilous situations, particularly maritime dangers. Thucydides used it in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” to describe soldiers who were “thoroughly saved” from battle or ships that “safely made it through” storms. Xenophon employed the term in “Anabasis” when describing troops who “were brought safely through” enemy territory.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διασῴζω appears in contexts of divine deliverance. In Genesis 19:19, Lot acknowledges God’s mercy in delivering him from the destruction of Sodom. The term is also used in Exodus 14:30 to describe how God “thoroughly saved” Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea crossing. This established an important theological foundation for the New Testament usage, linking the concept to God’s sovereign power to deliver His people completely through overwhelming circumstances.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete Rescue – A thorough saving action that brings someone from danger to complete safety
• Preservation Through Danger – Maintaining safety throughout a threatening process or journey
• Healing to Wholeness – Restoring completely from sickness to health
• Divine Deliverance – God’s sovereign action to bring His people through trials to safety
• Guaranteed Safe Arrival – Ensuring someone reaches their destination despite obstacles

Διασῴζω Translation Options:

• “Bring safely through” – Emphasizes the process aspect of the διά prefix, highlighting movement from danger to safety through a challenging situation
• “Rescue completely” – Stresses the thoroughness of the salvation, capturing the intensifying force of the διά prefix
• “Heal thoroughly” – Appropriate in medical contexts (like Luke’s Gospel) where physical restoration is in view
• “Preserve throughout” – Useful when ongoing protection during a journey or trial is emphasized
• “Save to the uttermost” – Captures both the completeness and the destination aspect of the term

Biblical Usage

Διασῴζω appears notably in contexts of physical rescue and healing throughout Scripture, often serving as a paradigm for spiritual salvation. In the Gospels, it frequently relates to Jesus’ healing ministry, demonstrating His divine power to deliver completely. In Acts, Luke uses the term to describe God’s providential protection during dangerous journeys, particularly Paul’s shipwreck experience in Acts 27, which becomes a powerful metaphor for God’s faithfulness to deliver His people through life’s storms.

The comprehensive nature of the salvation implied by διασῴζω aligns with the biblical theology of God as the complete Savior who not only initiates salvation but ensures its completion. This connects powerfully with Philippians 1:6, where Paul assures believers that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

• “And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were thoroughly healed [διεσώθησαν].” Matthew 14:34-36
• “And Lot said to them, ‘Oh no, my lords! Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving [διασῶσαι] my life.’” Genesis 19:19 LXX
• “The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received [διέσωσεν] us all.” Acts 28:2
• “And so it was that all were brought safely [διασωθῆναι] to land.” Acts 27:44
• “Who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely [διεσώθησαν] through the water.” 1 Peter 3:20
• “Thus יהוה (Yahweh) saved [διέσωσεν] Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:30 LXX
• “But after being rescued [διασωθέντες], we found out that the island was called Malta.” Acts 28:1

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, sea travel was notoriously dangerous, making the concept of being “thoroughly saved” through a maritime journey particularly powerful. Luke’s detailed account of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27 would have resonated deeply with first-century readers who understood the perils of sea travel. The promise that “not a hair from your head will perish” (Acts 27:34) uses typical Jewish idiom to emphasize complete protection, connecting διασῴζω with the Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom) – complete well-being and wholeness.

The ancient world also had a profound fear of disease, with limited medical knowledge and few treatment options. When the Gospels use διασῴζω in healing contexts, they’re emphasizing not just temporary relief but complete restoration – something only divine power could accomplish. This reflects the Jewish understanding of healing as a sign of the Messianic age, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). When those who touched Jesus’ garment were “thoroughly healed” (διεσώθησαν, Matthew 14:36), this served as a powerful Messianic sign pointing to Yeshua’s divine identity.

Theological Significance

Διασῴζω beautifully illustrates the comprehensive nature of God’s salvation. The compound structure of the word itself – combining “through” (διά) with “save” (σῴζω) – reflects the theological truth that God’s salvation isn’t merely a momentary rescue but a thorough deliverance that carries us through the entire journey. This illuminates the biblical concept of God as both the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), who not only initiates salvation but ensures its completion.

The usage of διασῴζω in the shipwreck narrative of Acts 27 provides a powerful theological paradigm for understanding God’s faithfulness. Despite overwhelming circumstances – a violent storm, a wrecked ship, and seemingly impossible odds – God preserved all 276 people aboard, just as He had promised. This demonstrates the absolute reliability of God’s promises and His sovereign ability to deliver His people through every circumstance, no matter how dire. As Paul later affirmed, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18), showing that physical διασῴζω points to an ultimate spiritual reality.

The connection between διασῴζω and healing in the Gospels also reveals the holistic nature of Messiah’s salvation – addressing body, soul, and spirit. When Yeshua healed, He didn’t merely alleviate symptoms but restored people to wholeness, often addressing the deeper spiritual needs behind physical afflictions. This demonstrates that God’s salvation through the Messiah is not compartmentalized but comprehensive, fulfilling the prophetic vision of total shalom that would characterize the Messianic age.

Personal Application

Understanding διασῴζω invites us to trust in God’s complete deliverance through every circumstance of life. Just as Paul and his companions were brought safely through the storm to their destination, we can have confidence that God will preserve us through life’s trials and ultimately bring us safely to our eternal destination. When we face our own “shipwrecks” – whether health crises, relationship breakdowns, financial struggles, or spiritual battles – we can rest in the promise that the God who specializes in thorough salvation is at work.

This powerful verb also challenges us to embrace the thoroughness of God’s healing work in our lives. Just as those who touched the fringe of Yeshua’s garment were completely healed, we too can experience His comprehensive restoration. This may not always mean immediate physical healing, but it does promise that the Messiah’s work in our lives will be complete – addressing our deepest wounds, transforming our character, and ultimately restoring us fully in the resurrection. Today, ask Yahweh to show you areas where you’ve settled for partial healing or incomplete deliverance, and trust Him for the thorough salvation He delights to provide.

Related Words

• σῴζω (sōzō, “to save”) – The simple form without the intensifying prefix; refers to rescue or preservation from danger, destruction, or loss. While διασῴζω emphasizes thoroughness and movement through danger to safety, σῴζω focuses on the basic act of rescue. See G4982
• ῥύομαι (rhyomai, “to rescue, deliver”) – Emphasizes the action of dragging or snatching someone from danger, often with the connotation of a powerful deliverer rescuing a weaker person. While διασῴζω highlights preservation throughout a process, ῥύομαι focuses on the moment of extraction from peril. See G4506
• λυτρόω (lytroō, “to redeem, ransom”) – Emphasizes deliverance through payment of a price. While διασῴζω focuses on bringing safely through danger, λυτρόω highlights the cost of freedom and the resulting change of ownership or status. See G3084
• ἰάομαι (iaomai, “to heal, cure”) – Specifically focuses on healing from disease or disability. While διασῴζω can include healing contexts, it has the broader meaning of complete deliverance from any danger, whereas ἰάομαι specifically addresses restoration from illness. See G2390
• διαφυλάσσω (diaphylassō, “to guard carefully, protect thoroughly”) – Similar in structure to διασῴζω with the intensifying διά prefix, but focuses on prevention of harm rather than rescue from existing danger. See G1314

Did you Know?

• In ancient maritime culture, sailors who survived shipwrecks often dedicated votive offerings at temples to gods they believed had granted them διασῴζω (thorough salvation). Paul’s experience in Acts 27-28 provides a powerful contrast, showing that it was the true God of Israel who actually has power to save completely, not the pagan deities sailors typically invoked during storms.
• The Jewish prayer Birkat Hagomel (Blessing for Deliverance) is recited after surviving dangerous situations like serious illness, childbirth, imprisonment, or sea voyages—all contexts where διασῴζω would apply. This blessing, still recited in synagogues today, thanks God “who bestows good things on the undeserving, and has bestowed on me every goodness.” This prayer tradition likely existed in the first century and reflects the same theological concept that Luke captures with διασῴζω in Acts.
• Medical writers in the ancient world, including Hippocrates and Galen, used διασῴζω to describe a patient’s complete recovery from serious illness. Luke, being a physician, may have been particularly drawn to this term because of its medical connotations of thorough healing. This helps explain why the term appears more frequently in Luke-Acts than in other New Testament writings.

Remember This

Διασῴζω reminds us that our God doesn’t merely begin our salvation—He carries it through completely, navigating us safely through every storm of life until we reach the shores of His eternal kingdom.