ἐκνεύω

Pronunciation Guide: ek-nyoo’-oh (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1593: ἐκνεύω (ekneuō) describes a deliberate turning aside, withdrawing, or quietly slipping away from a location or situation. This rare New Testament term conveys the action of strategically removing oneself, often to avoid unwanted attention or conflict. In its sole appearance in John’s Gospel, it portrays Yeshua (Jesus) deliberately withdrawing from a crowd after performing a miraculous healing, revealing both His humility and divine purpose.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of ἐκ (ek, “out from, away from”) + νεύω (neuō, “to nod, incline, turn”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in describing movement or strategic withdrawal
• Verb Type: Intransitive (does not take a direct object)
• Tense Aspect: Usually aorist (completed action)

ἐκνεύω Morphology:

• ἐκνεύω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I turn aside/withdraw
• ἐκνεύεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you turn aside/withdraw
• ἐκνεύει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it turns aside/withdraws
• ἐξένευσεν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it turned aside/withdrew (this form appears in John 5:13)
• ἐκνενευκώς (perfect active participle, masculine nominative singular) – having turned aside/withdrawn

Origin & History

The verb ἐκνεύω represents a compound formation in Greek, combining the preposition ἐκ (out from, away from) with the verb νεύω (to nod, incline, bend). In classical Greek literature, νεύω originally referred to the physical motion of nodding or inclining one’s head, often as a gesture of approval or agreement. The compound form ἐκνεύω evolved to describe a bodily motion of turning aside or swerving away from something.

In Septuagint usage, while νεύω appears occasionally (as in Proverbs 4:25, “Let your eyes look directly forward”), the compound form ἐκνεύω is extremely rare. This makes its appearance in John’s Gospel particularly significant as a deliberate lexical choice. The historian Polybius (2nd century BCE) used ἐκνεύω to describe military maneuvers where troops would strategically withdraw or change direction, suggesting a calculated rather than hasty retreat – a nuance particularly relevant to understanding Yeshua’s actions in John 5:13.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A strategic and deliberate withdrawal or turning aside from a situation
• The act of quietly slipping away from public notice or attention
• A change of direction to avoid confrontation or unwanted scrutiny
• A physical movement expressing an underlying spiritual or strategic purpose
• A temporary withdrawal that serves a greater plan or mission

ἐκνεύω Translation Options:

• To withdraw – Captures the deliberate nature of removing oneself from a situation
• To turn aside – Emphasizes the directional change involved in the action
• To slip away – Highlights the often quiet, unobtrusive manner of the withdrawal
• To evade – Stresses the purpose of avoiding detection or confrontation
• To swerve from – Underscores the physical movement away from an expected path

Biblical Usage

The verb ἐκνεύω appears only once in the New Testament, in John 5:13, where it describes Yeshua’s actions following His healing of the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda. After performing this miraculous healing on the Sabbath—an act that would soon provoke controversy with religious authorities—Yeshua “had withdrawn” (ἐξένευσεν) from the crowded area. This single usage carries significant theological weight, as it reveals the Messiah’s pattern of accomplishing divine purposes without seeking immediate public recognition.

The term’s rarity highlights its special significance in John’s narrative strategy. John frequently emphasizes Yeshua’s awareness of “His hour” and divine timing, and this withdrawal demonstrates the Messiah’s sovereignty over His own mission timeline. The healing itself was public, but Yeshua’s subsequent withdrawal suggests both His humility and His strategic movement according to the Father’s will rather than human expectations or acclaim.

• “Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn [ἐξένευσεν] while there was a crowd in that place.” John 5:13

Cultural Insights

In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, public healings often created significant social complications. Anyone performing miraculous healings would draw immediate attention, potentially causing several reactions: crowds seeking additional miracles, religious authorities investigating the source and legitimacy of such power, and Roman officials concerned about public gatherings and potential unrest. Yeshua’s strategic withdrawal (ἐκνεύω) after healing the paralytic demonstrates His awareness of these dynamics and His commitment to fulfilling His mission on divine rather than human terms.

The healing at Bethesda occurred during a Jewish feast (likely Passover) when Jerusalem would have been exceptionally crowded. The area around the pool itself was known to be constantly filled with the sick and disabled. By withdrawing from this crowded location, Yeshua was not simply avoiding attention but also preventing an immediate confrontation with authorities that would have been premature according to the divine timetable. This reflects the Jewish wisdom tradition that values strategic timing (עֵת, “et”) as expressed in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, where wisdom knows the proper time for each action.

Theological Significance

The single use of ἐκνεύω in the New Testament reveals profound theological truths about the nature of Messiah’s ministry and God’s character. First, it demonstrates Yeshua’s perfect balance of public compassion and strategic withdrawal. Unlike human leaders who might capitalize on public miracles for fame or influence, Yeshua consistently withdrew after moments of divine power, pointing to the Father rather than Himself. This pattern reflects the divine attribute of performing mighty works not for self-glorification but for redemptive purposes.

Moreover, ἐκνεύω provides insight into divine timing in salvation history. Throughout Scripture, יהוה (Yahweh) reveals Himself according to a perfect divine timetable—appearing and withdrawing according to His sovereign purposes. The Messiah models this same pattern, manifesting divine power and then strategically withdrawing until “the hour” appointed by the Father. This rhythmic pattern of revelation and withdrawal teaches believers about God’s sovereign control over all circumstances, even when His presence seems hidden. Just as Yeshua physically “withdrew” (ἐξένευσεν) after the healing, God sometimes appears to withdraw in our lives, not out of indifference but as part of His perfect redemptive strategy.

Personal Application

The concept of ἐκνεύω invites us to examine our own motivations in service and ministry. Do we, like Yeshua, perform acts of compassion and then quietly withdraw, allowing God to receive the glory? Or do we seek recognition, appreciation, and acclaim for our service? The Messiah’s pattern challenges us to develop a spirituality that values hiddenness as much as visibility, recognizing that some of our most significant spiritual work happens in seasons of withdrawal rather than public ministry.

In practical terms, this understanding encourages believers to build rhythms of engagement and withdrawal in their spiritual lives. Just as Yeshua strategically withdrew from crowds after intense ministry, we too need periods of stepping back, reflection, and renewal. These times of “turning aside” (ἐκνεύω) are not escaping responsibility but are rather strategic spiritual practices that prepare us for greater effectiveness. The next time you feel led to step back from visibility or activity, consider that this may not be failure but faithfulness to God’s strategic timing in your life and ministry.

Related Words

• ἀναχωρέω (anachōreō, pronounced an-akh-oh-reh’-oh) – to depart, withdraw, retire; a more common NT term for withdrawal, but with emphasis on departing to another place rather than simply turning aside. See G402
• ὑποχωρέω (hypochōreō, pronounced hoop-okh-oh-reh’-oh) – to withdraw, retire; suggests withdrawing under or away quietly, often with connotations of yielding space. See G5298
• παρέρχομαι (parerchomai, pronounced par-er’-khom-ahee) – to pass by, pass away, neglect; carries connotations of movement past something rather than directly away from it. See G3928
• ἐκκλίνω (ekklinō, pronounced ek-klee’-no) – to turn away from, avoid; emphasizes the avoidance aspect rather than the physical movement. See G1578
• νεύω (neuō, pronounced nyoo’-oh) – to nod, beckon, signify by gesture; the root verb of ἐκνεύω without the directional prefix. See G3506

Did You Know?

• In ancient Greek athletic competitions, particularly chariot racing, ἐκνεύω and related terms described the critical skill of swerving at precisely the right moment to avoid collision while maintaining speed. This athletic imagery adds depth to our understanding of Yeshua’s perfect timing—neither too early nor too late—in withdrawing from the crowd at Bethesda.
• The root verb νεύω (to nod) relates to the Greek word “pneuma” (spirit, breath) through their shared Indo-European origins relating to movement and inclination. This linguistic connection beautifully illustrates how Yeshua’s physical withdrawal (ἐκνεύω) was always in perfect alignment with the movement and guidance of the Spirit.
• Modern Greek has preserved ἐκνεύω in specialized contexts, particularly in maritime terminology where it describes a ship changing course to avoid collision. This contemporary usage maintains the original sense of strategic redirection rather than random movement, reminding us that divine withdrawals in Scripture are never aimless but always purposeful navigation toward God’s appointed destination.

Remember This

When God appears to “withdraw” (ἐκνεύω) from our lives, He is not abandoning us but strategically positioning Himself according to His perfect wisdom and timing, accomplishing purposes that our limited perspective cannot yet comprehend.