θέλω thelō

Greek word for “to will/desire” · Strong’s G2309 · used 208 times in 199 verses

Explore it in the Word Atlas

Meaning

θέλω (the strengthened form ἐθέλω is found in Hom., and is the more frequently in Attic;

How it is translated

Glosses given for thelō in context, with how often each is used:

• desire 24
• willing 23
• desiring 22
• wishing 14
• shall desire 12
• wish 10
• want 8
• desires 7
• shall wish 7
• do you desire 6
• do want 6
• desired 5

Where it is used

Also in 10 more books.

Chapters where it is used most

Matthew 20 (6), Romans 7 (6), Matthew 27 (5), Mark 6 (5), Mark 10 (5), John 5 (4), 1 Corinthians 7 (4), Galatians 4 (4), Matthew 26 (3), Mark 9 (3)

Forms

• θέλω 35
• θέλει 19
• θέλεις 18
• θέλετε 16
• ἤθελεν 14
• θέλων 13
• θέλῃ 8
• ἠθέλησεν 8
• ἤθελον 8
• θέλομεν 7

Words used with it

Words that share verses with thelō more often than their overall frequency would suggest:

• ἐάν ean “if” 23
• εἰ ei “if” 25
• εἶναι einai “to exist” 14
• γινώσκω ginōskō “to know” 11
• εἴδω eidō “to perceive” 12
• οὕτως ohutō, ohutōs “thus(-ly)” 10
• δίδωμι didōmi “to give” 12
• περί peri “about” 11
• ἀγαθός agathos “good” 8
• ἄν an “if” 9
• ἀγνοέω agnoeō “be ignorant” 6
• ἀποκρίνω apokrinō “to answer” 10

Key verses

The verses using thelō that are most connected by cross-references (King James Version):

• Matthew 23:37 — O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even…
• Luke 13:34 — O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen…
• Luke 18:13 — And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
• Luke 19:27 — But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
• John 7:17 — If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
• John 8:44 — Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no…
• John 17:24 — Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me…
• Romans 11:25 — For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to…
• Philippians 2:13 — For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
• Colossians 1:27 — To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
• Colossians 2:18 — Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up…
• Revelation 22:17 — And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of…

See all 199 verses in the Word Atlas

Hebrew and Greek text, tagging, glosses and lexicon definitions: STEPBible.org, Tyndale House Cambridge (TAHOT, TAGNT, TBESH, TBESG; CC BY 4.0), adapted. Counts follow King James verse numbering; a word counts each time it is written.