Tag Archives: ζητέω

The Greek verb “ζητέω”

Found more than a hundred times in the New Testament and most often found in Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, and Paul’s letters, the Greek verb “zeteo” meant “seek,” “wish for,” inquire into.”   On the one hand, this verb refers to “following and seeking something (Lk. 15:8), and to probing ideas and reflections (Mk. 11:18; 14:11), as well as judicial enquiry (Jn. 8:50b).  On the other hand, it means anything from deliberate striving and desiring (Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 10:33) to an assertion of one’s claims (Mk. 8:12)” (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 3:531).  When this verb is used in conjunction with the parable of the merchant seeking beautiful pearls (Mt. 13:45), or a housewife hunting for drachma (Lk. 15:8), or Judas seeking an opportunity to betray Jesus (Mt. 26:16), this word “implies an act of the will rather than reflection of the intellect” (ibid).