Understanding ἀναστατόω (anastatoō) Strong’s G387: The Revolutionary Power that Turns the World Upside Down for the Kingdom

Pronunciation Guide: ah-nah-sta-TOH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G387: A powerful verb meaning “to stir up, excite, unsettle, or turn upside down.” This term describes causing significant upheaval or disruption to an established order, often with revolutionary implications. In the New Testament, it particularly denotes the transformative impact of the Gospel message on existing social and religious structures.

Etymology and Morphology

• Verb (present active indicative)
• Derived from ἀνά (up) and στάσις (standing)
• Hellenistic Greek origin
• Primarily used in narrative contexts describing social impact
• Rare in classical literature but significant in New Testament

ἀναστατόω Morphology:

• ἀναστατόω (present active indicative) – I upset/disturb
• ἀναστατώσας (aorist active participle) – having upset
• ἀναστατοῦντες (present active participle) – those who are disturbing
• ἀναστατώσαντες (aorist active participle nominative plural) – having disturbed

Origin & History

The term ἀναστατόω emerged during the Hellenistic period, representing a intensification of the concept of “standing up” or “uprising.” While rare in classical Greek literature, it gained prominence in the Koine period, particularly in contexts of social and political upheaval.

The word appears in Polybius’s Histories when describing revolutionary movements that completely overturned existing social orders. Its use in the Septuagint is notably absent, making its New Testament usage particularly significant in describing the radical impact of early Christianity.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To cause a significant disturbance or upheaval in established systems
• To incite revolution or dramatic change in social structures
• To agitate or stir up people to the point of action
• To completely overturn or reverse existing conditions

ἀναστατόω Translation Options:

• “To turn upside down” – Emphasizes the complete reversal of existing conditions
• “To cause an uprising” – Highlights the revolutionary aspect
• “To disturb profoundly” – Focuses on the deep impact of the action
• “To unsettle completely” – Stresses the comprehensive nature of the disruption

Biblical Usage

The term appears only three times in the New Testament, each instance describing the revolutionary impact of the Gospel message. Its first appearance in Acts 17:6 dramatically characterizes the apostles as “those who have turned the world upside down.” This characterization, though meant as an accusation, actually testifies to the transformative power of the Gospel message.

The other occurrences similarly emphasize how the message of the Messiah creates fundamental changes in society and individual lives. The term’s usage suggests that the early church understood that genuine faith in Yeshua would necessarily lead to dramatic reorganization of priorities, relationships, and social structures.

• “These who have turned the world upside down [ἀναστατώσαντες] have come here also” Acts 17:6
• “But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead, who stirred up [ἀναστατώσαντες] the crowds” Acts 21:38
• “I wish those who unsettle [ἀναστατοῦντες] you would emasculate themselves!” Galatians 5:12

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Roman world, the accusation of “turning the world upside down” carried serious political implications. The Romans valued stability (pax Romana) above all else, and any movement perceived as threatening this stability was considered dangerous. The use of ἀναστατόω in Acts 17:6 reflects how the early believers were viewed as a movement challenging not just religious beliefs but the very foundations of Greco-Roman society.

The Jewish authorities’ use of this term also reveals their understanding that the message of Yeshua wasn’t merely adding another religious option to the marketplace of ideas – it was fundamentally challenging and reorganizing everything they knew about God, worship, and community.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναστατόω in describing the impact of the Gospel reveals a profound truth about God’s kingdom – it doesn’t merely adjust or improve existing systems, it completely transforms them. This aligns with Yeshua’s teachings about the kingdom being like leaven that works through the whole dough (Matthew 13:33).

This word choice by Luke in Acts emphasizes that the Gospel’s impact isn’t meant to be superficial or merely personal – it’s meant to revolutionize every aspect of life and society. When God’s kingdom truly arrives in a place or person’s life, everything gets “turned upside down” – but in reality, it’s being turned right-side up according to God’s original design.

Personal Application

The revolutionary nature of ἀναστατόω challenges us to examine whether we’ve domesticated the Gospel in our own lives. Have we reduced our faith to comfortable religious practices, or are we allowing it to completely reorganize our priorities, relationships, and worldview? The Gospel should be as revolutionary in our lives today as it was in the first century.

When we truly grasp this word’s meaning, we understand that following Yeshua isn’t about minor adjustments to our lifestyle – it’s about allowing Him to completely overturn everything that doesn’t align with His kingdom. This might be uncomfortable, but it’s the only way to experience the full transformative power of the Gospel.

Related Words

• μεταστρέφω (metastrephō) – to turn around, change, transform; highlights the change of direction – See G3344
• ταράσσω (tarassō) – to trouble, disturb, upset; focuses more on emotional disturbance – See G5015
• ἀκαταστασία (akatastasia) – instability, confusion, disorder; describes the result of upheaval – See G181
• στάσις (stasis) – standing, revolt, dissension; the root word relating to position or uprising – See G4714

Did you Know?

• Modern Greek still uses forms of ἀναστατόω to describe major disruptions, particularly in political contexts, showing the enduring power of this word to describe transformative change.
• The accusation in Acts 17:6 of “turning the world upside down” became a rallying cry for various Christian reform movements throughout history, including the Protestant Reformation.
• The root concept of “standing up” (στάσις) in ἀναστατόω shares linguistic connections with the word for resurrection (ἀνάστασις), suggesting a complete reordering that brings new life.

Remember This

When the Gospel truly takes hold, it doesn’t just improve life – it completely overturns every human system and structure to align with God’s kingdom purposes.