Original Word: φωνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: phóneó
Pronunciation: fo-neh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (fo-neh'-o)
KJV: call (for), crow, cry
NASB: called, calling, crowed, crows, call, cried, crow
Word Origin: [from G5456 (φωνή - voice)]
1. to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental)
2. (by implication) to address in words or by name, also in imitation
From phone; to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation -- call (for), crow, cry.
see GREEK phone
1. as from Homer down, intransitive, to sound, emit a sound, to speak: of a cock, to crow, Matthew 26:34, 74; Mark 14:30, 68 (L brackets; WH omits the clause (see the latter's Appendix at the passage)), 72; Luke 22:34, 60; John 13:38; John 18:27 (of the cries of other animals, Isaiah 38:14; Jeremiah 17:11; Zephaniah 2:14; rarely so in secular authors as (Aristotle (see Liddell and Scott, under I. 2)), Aesop fab. 36 (225 edition Halm)); of men, to cry, cry out, cry aloud, speak with a loud voice: followed by the words uttered, Luke 8:8; with φωνή μεγάλη added ((cf. Winer's Grammar, § 32, 2 at the end), Mark 1:26 T Tr WH); Acts 16:28; ἐφώνησε λέγων, Luke 8:54; φωνήσας εἶπεν, Luke 16:24; φωνήσας φωνή μεγάλη ... εἶπεν, Luke 23:46; ἐφώνησεν ἐν κραυγή (L T Tr WH φωνή) μεγάλη ... λέγων, Revelation 14:18; (φωνήσαντες ἐπυνθάνοντο (WH text ἐπυθοντο), Acts 10:18).
2. as from (Homer, Odyssey 24, 535) Sophocles down, transitive,
a. to call, call to oneself: τινα — either by one's own voice, Matthew 20:32; Matthew 27:47; Mark 9:35; Mark 10:49 (cf. Buttmann, § 141, 5 at the end); b. to invite: Luke 14:12. c. equivalent to to address, accost, call by a name: τινα, followed by a nominative of the title (see Winers Grammar, § 29, 1; (Buttmann, § 131, 8)), John 13:13. (Compare: ἀναφωνέω, ἐπιφωνέω, προσφωνέω, συμφωνέω.) Strong’s Greek 5455 portrays the purposeful use of the voice—whether summoning, exhorting, pleading, or proclaiming. It occurs forty-three times across the New Testament, spanning the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, the life of the early church, and a single eschatological scene. The verb’s settings cluster around five broad spheres: personal encounters with Jesus, miraculous works, parabolic instruction, apostolic ministry, and final judgment. Personal Encounters with Jesus 1. Summoning the needy: "Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called the blind man" (Mark 10:49). The command sets in motion Bartimaeus’s healing and illustrates that Christ’s compassion often begins with an audible summons. Miraculous Works and Resurrection Power 1. Jairus’s daughter: "But He took her by the hand and called, ‘Child, get up!’" (Luke 8:54). The mere utterance of Christ reverses death. Warning, Denial, and Fulfillment of Prophecy The cock’s crow is rendered with phoneō in every Synoptic account (Matthew 26:74-75; Mark 14:68-72; Luke 22:60-61). Each "calling" of the rooster punctuates Peter’s denial and verifies Christ’s foreknowledge. In John 18:27 the same verb seals the fulfillment: "and at once a rooster crowed." The repeated usage turns an ordinary farmyard sound into a prophetic alarm, reminding disciples to watch and pray. Parabolic Instruction and Moral Accountability 1. Stewardship: "He called the servants to whom he had given the money" (Luke 19:15). In every instance, phoneō introduces a reckoning—either gracious reward or irreversible loss. Passion and Crucifixion 1. Gethsemane betrayal: Servants at the high priest’s courtyard "called" Peter’s Galilean accent into question (Mark 14:70, implied by context). Apostolic and Early Church Usage 1. Apostolic rescue: "But Paul called out in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!’" (Acts 16:28). The gospel interrupts a jailer’s suicide and opens a household for baptism. Eschatological Proclamation "Then another angel... called in a loud voice to the one who had authority over the fire, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters...’" (Revelation 14:18). The final occurrence shifts the verb from human to angelic speakers, portraying a cosmic summons that unleashes judgment. Theological Themes 1. Divine initiative: Whether Jesus addresses individuals, creation, or God the Father, His voice inaugurates life, healing, and destiny. Ministry Significance Preaching and evangelism echo the pattern of phoneō: believers speak aloud so others may hear and live (Romans 10:14). Pastoral care, like Jesus’ call to Mary, often begins with a personal name. Corporate worship anticipates the angelic phoneē of Revelation by sounding forth praise and warning. Responding to the biblical call is not optional; "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15, verbal echo). Strong’s 5455 therefore challenges every reader to discern, heed, and relay the living voice of God.
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2. Private invitation: After Martha quietly informs Mary, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you" (John 11:28), the same verb underscores the intimacy of Jesus’ invitation to mourners.
3. The Shepherd’s initiative: "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:3). Here phoneō frames the doctrine of effectual calling; the sheep respond because they recognize the Shepherd’s voice.
4. Interrogating disciples: Nathanael asks, "How do You know me?" (John 1:48). Philip’s earlier "come and see" is ratified when Jesus ‘called’ him out by name, revealing divine knowledge that compels faith.
2. Lazarus’s household: The same verb structures the narrative bridge from grief to glory (John 11:28).
3. Healing at Cana: After the water became wine, the master of the banquet "called the bridegroom" (John 2:9), signaling public recognition of Jesus’ first sign.
2. The dishonest manager: "He called him in and asked, ‘What is this I hear about you?’" (Luke 16:2).
3. Rich man and Lazarus: The tormented rich man "called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me’" (Luke 16:24).
2. The cry from the cross: "Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit’" (Luke 23:46). The verb here records the triumphant self-surrender of the Son to the Father.
3. Misunderstood agony: Onlookers think Jesus "is calling Elijah" (Matthew 27:47; Mark 15:35). Their mistake highlights spiritual deafness even as salvation is accomplished.
2. Dorcas restored: Peter "called the saints and widows" (Acts 9:41). The public summons transforms private sorrow into communal praise.
3. Cornelius narrative: Twice servants "called out" at Simon’s gate (Acts 10:7-18). Phoneō functions as a hinge between Jewish Peter and Gentile Cornelius, previewing the church’s multiethnic future.
2. Human accountability: Every occurrence invites a response—faith, obedience, repentance, or rejection.
3. Certainty of prophecy: From the rooster’s crow to the angel’s cry, phoneō authenticates God’s foreordained plan.
Matthew 26:34 V-ANA
GRK: πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ
NAS: a rooster crows, you will deny
KJV: the cock crow, thou shalt deny
INT: before [the] rooster crows three times you will deny
Matthew 26:74 V-AIA-3S
GRK: εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν
NAS: And immediately a rooster crowed.
KJV: immediately the cock crew.
INT: immediately a rooster crowed
Matthew 26:75 V-ANA
GRK: Πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ
NAS: a rooster crows, you will deny
KJV: the cock crow, thou shalt deny
INT: Before [the] rooster crows three times you will deny
Matthew 27:47 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ὅτι Ἠλίαν φωνεῖ οὗτος
NAS: This man is calling for Elijah.
KJV: This [man] calleth for Elias.
INT: Elijah calls this [man]
Mark 1:26 V-APA-NNS
GRK: ἀκάθαρτον καὶ φωνῆσαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ
NAS: spirit cried out with a loud
INT: unclean and having cried with a voice loud
Mark 9:35 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ καθίσας ἐφώνησεν τοὺς δώδεκα
NAS: Sitting down, He called the twelve
KJV: he sat down, and called the twelve,
INT: And having sat down he called the twelve
Mark 10:49 V-AMA-2P
GRK: Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Φωνήσατε αὐτόν καὶ
NAS: and said, Call him [here]. So
KJV: him to be called. And
INT: Jesus commanded to be called him And
Mark 10:49 V-PIA-3P
GRK: αὐτόν καὶ φωνοῦσιν τὸν τυφλὸν
NAS: him [here]. So they called the blind man,
KJV: And they call the blind man,
INT: him And they call the blind [man]
Mark 10:49 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Θάρσει ἔγειρε φωνεῖ σε
NAS: stand up! He is calling for you.
KJV: rise; he calleth thee.
INT: Take courage rise up he calls you
Mark 14:30 V-ANA
GRK: δὶς ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρίς με
NAS: a rooster crows twice,
KJV: the cock crow twice,
INT: twice [the] rooster crows three times me
Mark 14:68 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν
INT: and the rooster crowed
Mark 14:72 V-AIA-3S
GRK: δευτέρου ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν καὶ ἀνεμνήσθη
NAS: a rooster crowed a second time.
KJV: second time the cock crew. And Peter
INT: the second time a rooster crowed And remembered
Mark 14:72 V-ANA
GRK: ἀλέκτορα δὶς φωνῆσαι τρίς με
NAS: a rooster crows twice,
KJV: the cock crow twice,
INT: [the] rooster twice crows three times me
Mark 15:35 V-PIA-3S
GRK: Ἴδε Ἠλίαν φωνεῖ
NAS: Behold, He is calling for Elijah.
KJV: [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
INT: Behold Elijah he calls
Luke 8:8 V-IIA-3S
GRK: Ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει Ὁ ἔχων
NAS: these things, He would call out, He who has
KJV: these things, he cried, He that hath
INT: These things saying he cried the [one] that has
Luke 8:54 V-AIA-3S
GRK: χειρὸς αὐτῆς ἐφώνησεν λέγων Ἡ
NAS: her by the hand and called, saying,
KJV: by the hand, and called, saying,
INT: hand of her cried saying
Luke 14:12 V-PMA-2S
GRK: δεῖπνον μὴ φώνει τοὺς φίλους
NAS: a dinner, do not invite your friends
KJV: or a supper, call not thy
INT: a supper not call friends
Luke 16:2 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ φωνήσας αὐτὸν εἶπεν
NAS: And he called him and said
KJV: And he called him, and said
INT: And having called him he said
Luke 16:24 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπεν Πάτερ
NAS: And he cried out and said, Father
KJV: And he cried and said, Father
INT: And he having cried out said Father
Luke 19:15 V-ANP
GRK: καὶ εἶπεν φωνηθῆναι αὐτῷ τοὺς
NAS: the money, be called to him so
KJV: servants to be called unto him,
INT: that he directed to be called to him the
Luke 22:34 V-FIA-3S
GRK: Πέτρε οὐ φωνήσει σήμερον ἀλέκτωρ
NAS: the rooster will not crow today
KJV: shall not crow this day, before that
INT: Peter in no way will crow today [the] rooster
Luke 22:60 V-AIA-3S
GRK: λαλοῦντος αὐτοῦ ἐφώνησεν ἀλέκτωρ
NAS: speaking, a rooster crowed.
KJV: spake, the cock crew.
INT: he was speaking of him crowed the rooster
Luke 22:61 V-ANA
GRK: Πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι σήμερον ἀπαρνήσῃ
NAS: a rooster crows today,
KJV: the cock crow, thou shalt deny
INT: Before [the] rooster crows today you will deny
Luke 23:46 V-APA-NMS
GRK: καὶ φωνήσας φωνῇ μεγάλῃ
NAS: And Jesus, crying out with a loud
KJV: when Jesus had cried with a loud
INT: And having cried with a voice loud
Strong's Greek 5455
43 Occurrences
ἐφώνησαν — 2 Occ.
ἐφώνησεν — 13 Occ.
ἐφώνει — 1 Occ.
φωνῆσαι — 6 Occ.
φωνῆσαν — 1 Occ.
φωνήσαντες — 1 Occ.
φωνήσας — 5 Occ.
Φωνήσατε — 1 Occ.
φωνήσῃ — 1 Occ.
φωνήσει — 1 Occ.
φώνησόν — 1 Occ.
φωνηθῆναι — 1 Occ.
φωνεῖ — 7 Occ.
φωνεῖτέ — 1 Occ.
φωνοῦσιν — 1 Occ.