Strong's Greek: 2896. κράζω (krazó) -- To cry out, to shout

1. properly, (onomatopoetic) to croak (German krächzen), of the cry of the raven (Theophrastus); hence universally, to cry out, cry aloud, vociferate: particularly of inarticulate cries, Mark 5:5; Mark 9:26; Mark 15:39 (here T WH omit; Tr brackets κράξας); Luke 9:39; Revelation 12:2; ἀπό τοῦ φοβοῦ, Matthew 14:26; with φωνή μεγάλη added, Matthew 27:50; Mark 1:26 (here T Tr WH φωνῆσαν); Acts 7:57; Revelation 10:3; ὄπισθεν τίνος, to cry after one, follow him up with outcries, Matthew 15:23; like זָעַק and צָעַק (Genesis 4:10; Genesis 18:20), equivalent to to cry or pray for vengeance, James 5:4.

2. to cry i. e. call out aloud, speak with a loud voice (German laut rufen): τί, Acts 19:32; Acts 24:21; followed by direct discourse, Mark 10:48; Mark 15:14; Luke 18:39; John 12:13 R G; Acts 19:34; Acts 21:28, 36; xxili. 6; with the addition φωνή μεγάλη followed by direct disc, Mark 5:7; Acts 7:60; ἐν φωνή μεγάλη, Revelation 14:15, κράζω λέγων, to cry out saying, etc., Matthew 8:29; Matthew 14:30; ( (where R G ἐκραύγασεν)); ; Mark 3:11; Mark 11:9 (T Tr WH omit; L brackets λέγοντες); John 19:12 (here L T Tr WH ἐκραύγασαν); Acts 16:17; Acts 19:28; Revelation 18:18; κράζω φωνή μεγάλη λέγων, Revelation 6:10; Revelation 7:10; Revelation 19:17 (here T WH brackets add ἐν); κράξας ἔλεγε, Mark 9:24; κράζειν καί λέγειν, Matthew 9:27; Matthew 21:15; Mark 10:47; Luke 4:41 R G Tr text WH; Acts 14:14; of those who utter or teach a thing publicly and solemnly, Romans 9:27; κέκραγε and ἔκραξε λέγων, followed by direct discourse, John 1:15; John 7:37; ἔκραξε διδάσκων καί λέγων, John 7:28; ἔκραξεν καί εἶπεν, John 12:44; of those who offer earnest, importunate, prayers to God, followed by direct discourse, Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6 (often so in O. T., as Job 35:12; Psalm 33:7 (); commonly with πρός κύριον, πρός τόν Θεόν added, Judges 10:12 (Alex.); Psalm 3:5; Psalm 106:13 (), etc.). τίνι, to cry or call to: Revelation 7:2; Revelation 14:15,(cf. Psalm 118:145 (); ἕτερος πρός ἕτερον, Isaiah 6:3). (Compare: ἀνακράζω. Synonym: see βοάω, at the end.)

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Across the New Testament, the term designates a strong, urgent, often public vocal outburst. It covers the whole range from terrified shrieks to authoritative proclamations, yet always conveys intensity and immediacy. Whether uttered by demons, disciples, apostles, or angels, the cry demands attention and evokes response.

Old Testament Echoes

The Greek verb regularly translates Hebrew terms for crying out in distress (for example, Exodus 2:23; Psalm 34:17) and for prophetic proclamation (Isaiah 40:3). These backgrounds shape New Testament usage: the cry may be a plea for deliverance, a warning of judgment, or a declaration of salvation. Thus the verb reinforces continuity between covenant eras—God hears, God answers, God speaks.

Uses in the Gospels

1. Recognition of Jesus’ Authority

Demons cry out, acknowledging His divine status (Matthew 8:29; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:7). Their involuntary shouts paradoxically become testimonies to His supremacy.

2. Desperate Appeals for Mercy

The blind men near Jericho "cried out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’" (Matthew 20:30). Similar petitions come from the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:22) and Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47-48; Luke 18:39). Persistent, loud pleading is commended, not rebuked.

3. Fear and Need

The disciples, thinking they see a ghost, "cried out in fear" (Matthew 14:26). Peter, sinking beneath the waves, "cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’" (Matthew 14:30). The verb underscores human frailty met by Christ’s rescuing power.

4. Public Acclamation

At the triumphal entry the crowds "were crying out, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’" (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9). Children in the temple continue the cry (Matthew 21:15), fulfilling messianic prophecy and provoking the priests’ indignation.

5. The Cross

The mob’s hostile shouts—"Crucify Him!" (Mark 15:13-14; Matthew 27:23)—contrast with Jesus’ own loud cry at death (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37). His final shout signals completed atonement while exposing human rebellion.

Acts of the Apostles

1. Evangelistic Boldness

Paul "cried out in the Council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee...’" (Acts 23:6), turning hostility into Gospel witness. Barnabas and Paul "tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, crying out" against idolatry (Acts 14:14-15). Spirit-empowered speech confronts error.

2. Spiritual Conflict

The slave girl with a spirit of divination "kept crying out" after Paul and his company (Acts 16:17), highlighting missionary advance amid demonic opposition.

3. Civil Unrest

In Ephesus, idol-makers "cried out" for Artemis (Acts 19:28, 32, 34). Mass shouting exposes the emptiness of false worship and throws Gospel heroes onto divine protection.

4. Martyrdom Scene

Stephen "cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’" (Acts 7:60), echoing Christ’s own words and illustrating grace under persecution.

Pauline and General Epistles

1. Spirit-Driven Intimacy

"We cry, ‘Abba, Father’" (Romans 8:15), and "the Spirit of His Son cries out, ‘Abba, Father’ in our hearts" (Galatians 4:6). The loud, filial cry marks the believer’s assured adoption.

2. Prophetic Warning

Isaiah "cries out concerning Israel" about the remnant (Romans 9:27), reinforcing prophetic authority in apostolic teaching.

3. Social Justice

Unpaid wages "are crying out against you" (James 5:4), personifying injustice as a piercing plea that reaches "the ears of the Lord of Hosts."

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

1. Heavenly Appeals and Decrees

Souls under the altar "cried out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord...?’" (Revelation 6:10), modeling lament that trusts divine timing.

2. Angelic Proclamations

A mighty angel "cried out with a loud voice like the roar of a lion" (Revelation 10:3), announcing the completion of God’s mystery.

3. Doom of Babylon

"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!" another angel "cried out" (Revelation 18:2). The verb frames both mercy and judgment; here, finality rings.

4. Salvation Song

An innumerable multitude "cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation to our God...’" (Revelation 7:10), revealing worship’s exuberant volume.

Theology of Crying Out

• Divine Accessibility: Scripture consistently portrays the Lord inclining His ear to the earnest cry (Psalm background; Matthew 14:30; Romans 8:15).
• Messianic Identity: Shouts identify Jesus as Son of God, Son of David, and Savior, often from unexpected witnesses (demons, Gentiles, children).
• Spiritual Warfare: The loud cry surfaces where the kingdom of light clashes with darkness (Mark 1:23-26; Acts 16:17).
• Eschatological Expectation: Apocalyptic cries announce both judgment and salvation, underscoring God’s sovereign timeline.
• Ethical Accountability: The cry of the oppressed reaches heaven, warning against complacency (James 5:4).

Ministry Implications Today

1. Encourage Urgent Prayer: The New Testament legitimizes loud, desperate appeals. Churches can foster corporate and personal prayer that is fervent, not merely formal.

2. Bold Proclamation: Evangelists and pastors should not fear raising their voice when truth and salvation must be asserted in public arenas.

3. Compassion for the Suffering: As Jesus stopped for those who cried out, believers must heed contemporary cries—from persecuted saints to marginalized neighbors.

4. Prophetic Warning and Hope: Like the angels of Revelation, the church must cry out both judgment on sin and the gracious offer of salvation, keeping both notes in balance.

5. Assurance of Adoption: Teaching on the Spirit’s inner cry fortifies believers in their identity and combats orphan-hearted doubt.

Thus the vibrant thread of crying out runs from earthly need to heavenly throne, binding the biblical narrative into one audible testimony: God hears, God answers, God reigns.