Original Word: πειράζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: peirazó
Pronunciation: pi-rad'-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (pi-rad'-zo)
KJV: assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try
NASB: tempted, testing, test, put to the test, tempt, tempter, tested
Word Origin: [from G3984 (πεῖρα - Trial)]
1. to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
From peira; to test (objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
see GREEK peira
3985 peirázō (from 3984 /peíra, "test, trial") – "originally to test, to try which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the LXX" (WP, 1, 30). "The word means either test or tempt" (WP, 1, 348). Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously.
3985 (peirazō) means "tempt" ("negative sense") in: Mt 16:1, 19:3, 22:18,35; Mk 8:11, 10:2, 12:15; Lk 11:16, 20:33; Jn 8:6; Js 1:13,14.
3985 (peirazō) however is used of positive tests in: Mt 4:11; Lk 22:28; 1 Cor 10:13; Js 1:12.
[フレーム]1. to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive, Acts 9:26 L T Tr WH; 2. to try, make trial of, test: τινα, for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself; a. in a good sense: Matthew 22:35 (others refer this to b.); John 6:6; (2 Corinthians 13:5); Revelation 2:2. b. in a bad sense: to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment, Matthew 16:1; Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:18, 35; Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2; Mark 12:15; Luke 11:16; Luke 20:23 (where G T WH Tr text omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the words τί με πειράζετε); John 8:6. c. to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent to to solicit to sin, to tempt: James 1:13; Galatians 6:1; Revelation 2:10; of the temptations of the devil, Matthew 4:1, 3; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; hence, ὁ πειράζων, a substantive, Vulg.tentator, etc., the tempter: Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. d. After the O. T. usage α. of God; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15 (see πειράω); Strong’s Greek 3985 (peirazō) describes the act of putting someone or something to the proof. In the New Testament it ranges from hostile enticement to sin (Matthew 4:3), to neutral examination of character (2 Corinthians 13:5), to divinely ordained refinement of faith (Hebrews 11:17). The context always clarifies whether the testing seeks to destroy or to develop. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint, peirazō frequently renders Hebrew roots such as bachan ("examine") and nasah ("test"), laying the groundwork for its New Testament usage. Israel "tested" the LORD through unbelief at Massah (Exodus 17:2), while God "tested" Abraham to prove his faith (Genesis 22:1). Thus Scripture already distinguished rebellious testing of God from God’s righteous testing of His people. Usage in the Gospels 1. The wilderness: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1). The devil’s assaults expose the Second Adam’s flawless obedience, reversing Adam’s fall. Teaching of Paul Paul employs peirazō both negatively and positively: • Warning: "Nor should we test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes" (1 Corinthians 10:9). To demand proofs from God replicates Israel’s sin. Hebrews: The Tested Son and the Tested Saints Hebrews anchors the church’s perseverance in Christ’s shared experience: • "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). James: Anatomy of Temptation James clarifies that God is never the author of evil enticement: "Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one" (James 1:13). Desire, not divinity, generates sinful lure. Yet trials ("various trials," James 1:2) are divinely purposed to mature perseverance. Eschatological Dimensions Revelation applies peirazō to both present discernment and future global ordeal: • Christ commends the Ephesian church: "You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not" (Revelation 2:2). Divine Testing versus Satanic Temptation Peirazō may describe either God’s righteous proving or Satan’s destructive solicitation. Distinction rests on motive and outcome: • God’s tests aim at refinement, trust, and reward. Believers discern the difference by measuring every pressure against God’s revealed will. Pastoral and Ministry Significance 1. Shepherding under trial: Leaders must remind saints that temptation is neither unique nor unconquerable. Summary Peirazō threads through Scripture as a sober reminder that every heart will be tried. Yet in every test God proves faithful, Christ proves sufficient, and obedient faith proves victorious.
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2. Religious challengers: Scribes and Pharisees repeatedly "came to test Him" (Mark 8:11; Matthew 19:3), hoping to ensnare Him in theological or political missteps.
3. Didactic purpose: John records that Jesus Himself "was testing" Philip—"for He Himself knew what He was about to do" (John 6:6)—demonstrating that the Lord may probe disciples to deepen their reliance on Him.
• Comfort: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Testing is under divine supervision; escape is always supplied.
• Self-examination: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Believers are called to a healthy inner scrutiny that guards against presumption.
• Our High Priest is "one who has been tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
• By faith the saints "were put to the test" (Hebrews 11:37), illustrating that suffering never nullifies God’s promise.
• A coming worldwide test is promised: "I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is coming upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth" (Revelation 3:10).
• Satan’s temptations aim at doubt, disobedience, and death.
2. Guarding orthodoxy: Churches imitate Ephesus by testing teachers against apostolic doctrine.
3. Personal disciplines: Prayer ("Lead us not into temptation") and Scripture memorization mirror Christ’s victory strategy.
4. Rest in Christ: Because the High Priest has passed every test, union with Him guarantees grace "in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Matthew 4:3 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: προσελθὼν ὁ πειράζων εἶπεν αὐτῷ
NAS: And the tempter came and said
KJV: And when the tempter came to him,
INT: having come the tempter said to him
Matthew 16:1 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: καὶ Σαδδουκαῖοι πειράζοντες ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν
NAS: came up, and testing Jesus, they asked
KJV: came, and tempting desired him
INT: and Sadducees tempting [him] asked him
Matthew 19:3 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: αὐτῷ Φαρισαῖοι πειράζοντες αὐτὸν καὶ
NAS: came to Jesus, testing Him and asking,
KJV: came unto him, tempting him, and
INT: to him Pharisees testing him and
Matthew 22:18 V-PIA-2P
GRK: Τί με πειράζετε ὑποκριταί
NAS: Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?
KJV: Why tempt ye me,
INT: Why me do you tempt hypocrites
Matthew 22:35 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: αὐτῶν νομικὸς πειράζων αὐτόν
NAS: asked Him [a question], testing Him,
KJV: asked [him a question], tempting him,
INT: them a lawyer testing him
Mark 1:13 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: τεσσεράκοντα ἡμέρας πειραζόμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ
NAS: days being tempted by Satan;
KJV: forty days, tempted of Satan;
INT: forty days tempted by
Mark 8:11 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: τοῦ οὐρανοῦ πειράζοντες αὐτόν
NAS: from heaven, to test Him.
KJV: from heaven, tempting him.
INT: heaven testing him
Mark 10:2 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: γυναῖκα ἀπολῦσαι πειράζοντες αὐτόν
NAS: came up to Jesus, testing Him, and [began] to question
KJV: to put away [his] wife? tempting him.
INT: a wife to divorce testing him
Mark 12:15 V-PIA-2P
GRK: Τί με πειράζετε φέρετέ μοι
NAS: to them, Why are you testing Me? Bring
KJV: unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring
INT: Why me do you tempt Bring me
Luke 4:2 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα πειραζόμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ
NAS: days, being tempted by the devil.
KJV: forty days tempted of the devil.
INT: days forty being tempted by the
Luke 11:16 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἕτεροι δὲ πειράζοντες σημεῖον ἐξ
NAS: Others, to test [Him], were demanding
KJV: And others, tempting [him], sought of
INT: others moreover testing a sign from
John 6:6 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: δὲ ἔλεγεν πειράζων αὐτόν αὐτὸς
NAS: He was saying to test him, for He Himself
KJV: this he said to prove him: for
INT: moreover he said testing him he
John 8:6 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: δὲ ἔλεγον πειράζοντες αὐτόν ἵνα
NAS: this, testing Him, so
KJV: This they said, tempting him, that
INT: moreover they said testing him that
Acts 5:9 V-ANA
GRK: συνεφωνήθη ὑμῖν πειράσαι τὸ πνεῦμα
NAS: is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit
KJV: have agreed together to tempt the Spirit
INT: agreed together you to test the Spirit
Acts 9:26 V-IIA-3S
GRK: εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἐπείραζεν κολλᾶσθαι τοῖς
NAS: to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate
INT: at Jerusalem he attempted to join himself to the
Acts 15:10 V-PIA-2P
GRK: οὖν τί πειράζετε τὸν θεόν
NAS: why do you put God
KJV: therefore why tempt ye God, to put
INT: therefore why tempt you God
Acts 16:7 V-IIA-3P
GRK: τὴν Μυσίαν ἐπείραζον εἰς τὴν
NAS: to Mysia, they were trying to go
KJV: to Mysia, they assayed to go into
INT: Mysia they attempted into
Acts 24:6 V-IIA-3S
GRK: τὸ ἱερὸν ἐπείρασεν βεβηλῶσαι ὃν
NAS: And he even tried to desecrate
KJV: also hath gone about to profane
INT: the temple attempted to profane whom
1 Corinthians 7:5 V-PSA-3S
GRK: ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ
NAS: that Satan will not tempt you because
KJV: that Satan tempt you not
INT: that not might tempt you
1 Corinthians 10:9 V-AIA-3P
GRK: τινες αὐτῶν ἐπείρασαν καὶ ὑπὸ
NAS: as some of them did, and were destroyed
KJV: also tempted, and
INT: some of them tested and by
1 Corinthians 10:13 V-ANP
GRK: ἐάσει ὑμᾶς πειρασθῆναι ὑπὲρ ὃ
NAS: will not allow you to be tempted beyond
KJV: suffer you to be tempted above that
INT: will allow you to be tempted above what
2 Corinthians 13:5 V-PMA-2P
GRK: Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἐστὲ
NAS: Test yourselves [to see] if
KJV: Examine yourselves, whether
INT: yourselves examine you if you are
Galatians 6:1 V-ASP-2S
GRK: καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς
NAS: so that you too will not be tempted.
KJV: thou also be tempted.
INT: also you be tempted
1 Thessalonians 3:5 V-IIA-3S
GRK: μή πως ἐπείρασεν ὑμᾶς ὁ
NAS: for fear that the tempter might have tempted
KJV: lest by some means the tempter have tempted
INT: lest somehow did tempt you he who
Strong's Greek 3985
39 Occurrences
ἐπείρασαν — 2 Occ.
ἐπείρασας — 1 Occ.
ἐπείρασεν — 2 Occ.
ἐπειράσθησαν — 1 Occ.
ἐπείραζεν — 1 Occ.
ἐπείραζον — 1 Occ.
πειράσαι — 2 Occ.
πειρασθῆναι — 2 Occ.
πειρασθῇς — 1 Occ.
πειρασθῆτε — 1 Occ.
πειρασθείς — 1 Occ.
πειράζῃ — 1 Occ.
πειράζει — 1 Occ.
πειράζεται — 1 Occ.
πειράζετε — 4 Occ.
πειράζων — 4 Occ.
πειράζομαι — 1 Occ.
πειραζομένοις — 1 Occ.
πειραζόμενος — 4 Occ.
πειράζοντες — 6 Occ.
πεπειρασμένον — 1 Occ.