ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA GRIEGA
Eisérchomai (G1525) — Enter in the Greek New Testament
εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai) is the standard Greek verb 'to enter,' used literally for physical entry and figuratively for spiritual, moral, or relational entrance into a state, realm, or relationship.
Significado de la palabra
εἰσέρχομαι combines the preposition εἰς ('into') with ἔρχομαι ('to come, go') and therefore literally means 'to come into' or 'to go in.' It functions as a deponent verb in the middle/passive voice and serves as the most common New Testament word for physical or figurative entry. The Septuagint uses it chiefly for the Hebrew בּוֹא, the ordinary verb 'to come, enter.'
The verb carries a wide semantic range. Literally, it describes someone going into a house (Matthew 8:8), a city (Matthew 10:11), or a room (Matthew 6:6). It can describe going in through a gate or door (Matthew 7:13; John 10:1) or being possessed by demons (Mark 9:25; Luke 8:30; John 13:27). Even food 'enters' a person (Matthew 15:11; Acts 11:8).
Figuratively, εἰσέρχομαι denotes entrance into a realm or condition—most prominently 'entering the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 5:20; 7:21), 'entering life' (Matthew 18:8–9; 19:17), or 'entering the rest' of Hebrews 3–4. The idiom 'go in and out' (Acts 1:21) reflects the Hebrew בּוֹא וְצֵאת and pictures familiar, secure movement, while John 10:9 extends this to moral freedom.
Uso en las Escrituras
In the Gospels, εἰσέρχομαι is the dominant verb for Jesus and his disciples going into houses, cities, synagogues, and boats (e.g., Matthew 8:5, 8; Mark 2:1). It is also the verb behind Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13) and about who will actually enter the kingdom (Matthew 5:20; 7:21), framing genuine obedience—not mere profession—as the condition of entry.
Elsewhere in the New Testament, the verb shifts toward entrance into theological states: into 'rest' (Hebrews 3:11, 18; 4:1ff.), into 'the world' for sin or for Christ (Romans 5:12; Hebrews 10:5; John 18:37), and into eschatological glory (Luke 24:26). The idiom of going 'in and out' (Acts 1:21) sets a criterion for apostolic witness—following Jesus from his baptism to his ascension—while John 10:9 turns the same picture into a metaphor of salvation: 'if anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.'
La palabra en detalle
- G1525 A deponent verb from εἰς ('into') + ἔρχομαι ('come, go'). Used in the LXX chiefly for Hebrew בּוֹא. Covers literal entry into places, demonic possession, food entering a person, and—most theologically significant—figurative entry into the kingdom, life, rest, or the world. Related compound forms include ἐπ-, παρ-, and συν-εισέρχομαι.
Versículos de ejemplo
- Matthew 5:20 Jesus uses εἰσέρχομαι to define who 'enters the kingdom of heaven,' tying entry to a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees.
- Matthew 7:13 The verb frames the call to 'enter through the narrow gate,' contrasting the few who enter by it with the many on the broad road.
- Matthew 15:11 εἰσέρχομαι is applied to food: 'what enters the mouth,' introducing Jesus' teaching that defilement comes from the heart, not from what physically enters a person.
- John 10:9 Jesus declares himself the door: 'if anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.' The verb pictures both initial salvation and free, ongoing access.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is εἰσέρχομαι only physical, or also spiritual?
Both. It describes literal entry into houses, cities, and rooms (e.g., Matthew 6:6; 8:8), and figurative entry into the kingdom of heaven, life, rest, and the world (e.g., Matthew 5:20; Hebrews 4:1).
Why is this verb so important in Jesus' teaching about the kingdom?
εἰσέρχομαι is the verb Jesus repeatedly uses for entering the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20; 7:21) and life (Matthew 18:8–9; 19:17). The choice underscores that the kingdom is a realm one actually enters, conditioned on doing the Father's will rather than merely confessing 'Lord, Lord.'
What is the difference between εἰσέρχομαι and ἐξέρχομαι?
They are opposites built from the same root ἔρχομαι ('to come/go'). εἰσέρχομαι means 'to go in' (εἰς + ἔρχομαι), while ἐξέρχομαι means 'to go out' (ἐξ + ἔρχομαι). Together they form the idiom 'go in and out,' used for familiar, secure movement (Acts 1:21) and for salvation (John 10:9).