ἀγανακτέω
aganaktéō
G23 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be moved with intense irritation or indignation; to feel strong emotional discomfort or anger, typically in response to perceived injustice, impropriety, or provocation. The term conveys a sense of being deeply upset or vexed, often accompanied by visible distress or complaint. Contextually, it ranges from strong annoyance or displeasure to moral outrage.
Semantic Range
to be indignant, to be greatly displeased, to be moved with indignation, to be angry at perceived injustice, to express strong vexation or protest, to feel distress or annoyance at impropriety
Root / Etymology
From ἄγαν ('much, very') and a verb root related to ἄχθος ('burden, grief'), possibly linked to ἀγανάκτησις ('indignation'). The full etymological development is debated; the connection to ἀγκάλη ('arm') proposed by some is unlikely. The root sense involves 'much pain' or 'much distress.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from classical Greek onward, ἀγανακτέω frequently denotes strong emotional or moral disturbance, whether internalized or expressed. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it is used for indignation at inappropriate or unjust actions (e.g., Mark 10:14, Matthew 20:24, expressing disapproval or displeasure at the behavior of others). The focus is on the emotional reaction to perceived wrong, not simply physical suffering or grief. English translations ('indignant,' 'moved with indignation,' 'much displeased') do not always convey the nuance that ἀγανακτέω includes response to impropriety, not mere personal annoyance. Classical Greek usage also includes objection or protest against offensive acts, emphasizing the emotional intensity. In Koine, it is a strong term for displeasure, often used for group sentiments. It is distinct from θυμόω ('to be enraged') in that it does not always imply a loss of self-control or violent anger, but it is stronger than ἀχθέομαι ('to be annoyed' or 'burdened').
Translation Consistency
ἀγανακτέω is fundamentally a stative verb meaning to feel indignation or strong displeasure. "Be indignant" captures the typical emotional/moral outrage sense across contexts (from strong annoyance to moral protest) while remaining a natural English rendering of the Greek. It preserves the nuance better than the broader "be angry" or the causative "anger/resent."
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (much) and (grief; akin to the base of ἀγκάλη); to be greatly afflicted, i.e. (figuratively) indignant:--be much (sore) displeased, have (be moved with, with) indignation.
Root Family
ἀγανακτέω (aganakteō) — to feel intense irritation, to be indignant, to experience moral outrage
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G23-04 |
ἠγανάκτησαν | eganaktesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
were indignant | they became indignant | they became indignant | 3 |
G23-02 |
ἀγανακτῶν | aganakton | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
indignant | being indignant | being indignant | 1 |
G23-03 |
ἀγανακτοῦντες | aganaktountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
indignant | being indignant | being indignant | 1 |
G23-01 |
ἀγανακτεῖν | aganaktein | V PRS ACT INF |
to be indignant | to feel intense indignation | to be indignant | 1 |
G23-05 |
ἠγανάκτησεν | eganaktesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was indignant | he felt indignant | he felt indignant | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G23-04 |
Matthew 20:24 | ἠγανάκτησαν | eganaktesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
were indignant | they became indignant | they became indignant |
G23-04 |
Matthew 21:15 | ἠγανάκτησαν | eganaktesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they were indignant | they became indignant | they became indignant |
G23-04 |
Matthew 26:8 | ἠγανάκτησαν | eganaktesan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
were indignant | they became indignant | they became indignant |
G23-05 |
Mark 10:14 | ἠγανάκτησεν | eganaktesen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
was indignant | he felt indignant | he felt indignant |
G23-01 |
Mark 10:41 | ἀγανακτεῖν | aganaktein | V PRS ACT INF |
to be indignant | to feel intense indignation | to be indignant |
G23-03 |
Mark 14:4 | ἀγανακτοῦντες | aganaktountes | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL |
indignant | being indignant | being indignant |
G23-02 |
Luke 13:14 | ἀγανακτῶν | aganakton | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
indignant | being indignant | being indignant |