γρηγορεύω
grēgoreúō
G1127 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be awake or remain alert, to stay watchful; primarily indicates the act of keeping oneself awake and attentive, either literally (remaining physically awake) or metaphorically (being mentally or spiritually alert, attentive to danger or important matters). In extended contexts, can denote active vigilance or readiness, especially against threat or in anticipation of significant events.
Semantic Range
to keep awake, to remain watchful or vigilant, to be on guard, to be mentally/spiritually alert, to stand ready in anticipation, to avoid inattentiveness or negligence
Root / Etymology
From the root γρηγορ-, likely a denominative verb based on a reduplicated form of the verbal stem ἐγρ-/ἐγορ- (from the verb ἐγείρω, 'to awaken, raise up'), meaning 'to be awake' or 'to keep watch'. The form is Koine and rare in earlier Greek; attested primarily in later Hellenistic and Christian contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
γρηγορεύω appears rarely in classical Greek; it is found primarily in Hellenistic, Septuagintal, and especially New Testament Greek. The verb usually connotes intentional vigilance, not merely the physical state of not sleeping, but a heightened state of alertness against danger or in anticipation—such as a guard at night or a person awaiting a significant moment. In apocalyptic and moral exhortations of the New Testament, it carries layers of metaphorical meaning: spiritual preparedness, moral alertness, readiness for divine action. Standard English translations often render it as 'watch' or 'be alert,' but these do not always capture its persistent, active sense. In the Septuagint, the verb and cognate forms occasionally replace Hebrew terms meaning 'to keep watch,' 'to guard.' In non-biblical Koine sources, usage aligns with this sense of vigilant attentiveness. Contrasts with καθεύδω ('to sleep'), often as a deliberate binary (wakefulness vs. inattentiveness).
Translation Consistency
"Watch" is the natural, idiomatic English verb that best captures both the literal sense (to stay awake) and the figurative sense (to be vigilant/alert). It is the common rendering in English Bibles ("watch and pray," "be watchful") and will allow consistent, natural inflection across all forms of γρηγορεύω.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐγείρω; to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):--be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).
Root Family
γρηγορ- (grēgoreúō) — to watch, to be awake, to remain alert
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1235 | διαγρηγορέω | having fully awakened |
Word Forms
10 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1127-03 |
γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching | 10 |
G1127-04 |
γρηγορῆσαι | gregoresai | V AOR ACT INF |
to keep watch | to stay alert | to watch | 2 |
G1127-07 |
γρηγορῶμεν | gregoromen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
be awake | let us remain alert | let us watch | 2 |
G1127-08 |
γρηγορῶν | gregoron | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
that watcheth | remaining alert | remaining alert | 2 |
G1127-01 |
ἐγρηγόρησεν | egregoresen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he-would-have-watched | kept watch | kept watch | 1 |
G1127-02 |
γρηγορῇ | gregore | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
watch | may remain alert | may remain alert | 1 |
G1127-05 |
γρηγορήσατε | gregoresate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
be vigilant | Be alert | Be alert | 1 |
G1127-06 |
γρηγορήσῃς | gregoreses | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG |
you watch | you should remain alert | you should remain alert | 1 |
G1127-09 |
γρηγοροῦντας | gregorountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
watching | those remaining watchful | those remaining watchful | 1 |
G1127-10 |
γρηγοροῦντες | gregorountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
being watchful | being watchful | being watchful | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1127-03 |
Matthew 24:42 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-01 |
Matthew 24:43 | ἐγρηγόρησεν | egregoresen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he-would-have-watched | kept watch | kept watch |
G1127-03 |
Matthew 25:13 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-03 |
Matthew 26:38 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
keep watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-04 |
Matthew 26:40 | γρηγορῆσαι | gregoresai | V AOR ACT INF |
to keep watch | to stay alert | to watch |
G1127-03 |
Matthew 26:41 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Keep watching | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-02 |
Mark 13:34 | γρηγορῇ | gregore | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
watch | may remain alert | may remain alert |
G1127-03 |
Mark 13:35 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-03 |
Mark 13:37 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-03 |
Mark 14:34 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-04 |
Mark 14:37 | γρηγορῆσαι | gregoresai | V AOR ACT INF |
to keep watch | to stay alert | to watch |
G1127-03 |
Mark 14:38 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Watch | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-09 |
Luke 12:37 | γρηγοροῦντας | gregorountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
watching | those remaining watchful | those remaining watchful |
G1127-03 |
Acts 20:31 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
be alert | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-03 |
1 Corinthians 16:13 | γρηγορεῖτε | gregoreite | V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL |
Be watchful | Keep staying alert | Keep watching |
G1127-10 |
Colossians 4:2 | γρηγοροῦντες | gregorountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
being watchful | being watchful | being watchful |
G1127-07 |
1 Thessalonians 5:6 | γρηγορῶμεν | gregoromen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
be awake | let us remain alert | let us watch |
G1127-07 |
1 Thessalonians 5:10 | γρηγορῶμεν | gregoromen | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL |
we are awake | let us remain alert | we are alert |
G1127-05 |
1 Peter 5:8 | γρηγορήσατε | gregoresate | V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL |
be vigilant | Be alert | Be alert |
G1127-08 |
Revelation 3:2 | γρηγορῶν | gregoron | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
watchful | remaining alert | remaining alert |
G1127-06 |
Revelation 3:3 | γρηγορήσῃς | gregoreses | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG |
you watch | you should remain alert | you should remain alert |
G1127-08 |
Revelation 16:15 | γρηγορῶν | gregoron | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
that watcheth | remaining alert | remaining alert |