Understanding ἀποκυλίω (apokyliō) Strong’s G617: The Divine Power that Rolls Away Our Obstacles

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-koo-LEE-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G617: ἀποκυλίω is a compound verb meaning “to roll away from, to roll off.” It specifically describes the action of moving a large stone or heavy object by rolling it away from its position. In biblical contexts, it often carries profound theological significance, particularly in describing supernatural intervention that removes seemingly immovable obstacles.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἀπό (from, away from) + κυλίω (to roll)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, particularly in the Gospels
• Voice: Active and Passive forms

ἀποκυλίω Morphology:

• ἀποκυλίσει (future active indicative) – will roll away
• ἀποκεκύλισται (perfect passive indicative) – has been rolled away
• ἀπεκύλισε (aorist active indicative) – rolled away
• ἀποκυλίσας (aorist active participle) – having rolled away

Origin & History

The compound verb ἀποκυλίω emerges from classical Greek literature where κυλίω was commonly used to describe the rolling motion of objects, particularly in military contexts for moving siege equipment or clearing obstacles. In Xenophon’s “Anabasis” (4.2.3), he uses the simple form κυλίω to describe rolling rocks down mountainsides as defensive measures.

The Septuagint employs related forms sparingly, notably in Joshua 10:18 where large stones are rolled to seal cave entrances. The compound form ἀποκυλίω gains particular significance in Hellenistic Greek, where it specifically denotes the removal of obstacles through rolling motion.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To roll away completely (emphasizing the completeness of removal)
• To dislodge by rolling (focusing on the mechanism of movement)
• To clear away by rolling (highlighting the resulting clear path)

ἀποκυλίω Translation Options:

• “Roll away” – Most common translation, emphasizing the basic physical action
• “Remove by rolling” – More precise translation highlighting the method
• “Roll back” – Used when emphasizing distance created from original position
• “Roll off” – Appropriate when describing removal from top of something

Biblical Usage

The most theologically significant use of ἀποκυλίω appears in the resurrection narratives. In Matthew 28:2, an angel of the Lord descends and rolls away (ἀπεκύλισε) the stone from Jesus’s tomb, demonstrating divine power over physical obstacles. This usage becomes a powerful metaphor for God’s ability to remove seemingly insurmountable barriers.

The word appears in all synoptic Gospels’ resurrection accounts, each emphasizing different aspects of the divine action:

• “And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away [ἀποκυλίσας] the stone” Matthew 28:2
• “Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away [ἀποκεκύλισται]” Mark 16:4
• “They found the stone rolled away [ἀποκεκυλισμένον] from the tomb” Luke 24:2

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish burial customs, the rolling stone closure (golel) was a significant feature of wealthy family tombs. These stones typically weighed between 1-2 tons and ran in a carved channel, making them difficult but not impossible to move by several strong men. The stones were typically disk-shaped and rolled in a groove cut into the rock, sloping slightly downward toward the tomb entrance to help seal it securely.

The fact that women were concerned about who would roll away the stone (Mark 16:3) indicates their awareness of its substantial weight. This cultural context makes the supernatural rolling away of the stone even more significant, as it demonstrated divine intervention in a way that would have been immediately recognized by contemporary observers.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποκυλίω in the resurrection narratives carries profound theological implications. The supernatural rolling away of the tomb stone serves not just as a practical means of access but as a powerful symbol of God’s ability to remove barriers between humanity and divine truth. The action demonstrates that no obstacle, no matter how formidable, can prevent God’s purposes from being fulfilled.

The passive construction used in Mark and Luke (ἀποκεκύλισται – “had been rolled away”) emphasizes divine agency, suggesting that God’s power, not human effort, removed this barrier. This theological truth extends beyond the historical event to encourage believers that God can remove seemingly immovable obstacles in their spiritual lives.

Personal Application

When we encounter obstacles that seem immovable in our lives – whether physical, emotional, or spiritual – the word ἀποκυλίω reminds us that we serve a God who specializes in rolling away stones. Just as the women approaching the tomb discovered that their anticipated obstacle had already been removed by divine intervention, we too can trust in God’s power to remove barriers that appear insurmountable.

This word encourages us to approach apparent obstacles with faith rather than fear, remembering that the same power that rolled away the stone from Jesus’s tomb is available to us through our relationship with the risen Messiah.

Related Words

• κυλίω (kyliō) – to roll; the simple form of the verb, often used for continuous rolling motion. See G2947
• προσκυλίω (proskyliō) – to roll toward; used specifically of rolling the stone against Jesus’s tomb. See G4358
• ἀναπτύσσω (anaptyssō) – to unroll, often used for scrolls; another word describing removal of barriers. See G380
• ἀφαιρέω (afaireō) – to take away, remove; a more general term for removal. See G851

Did you Know?

• Archaeological discoveries have revealed that the rolling stones used to seal first-century tombs were disk-shaped and could weigh up to two tons, requiring several strong men to move them.
• The Greek word ἀποκυλίω is still used in modern Greek to describe rolling away obstacles, though it’s now more commonly used metaphorically to describe removing bureaucratic or social barriers.
• The root word κυλίω gave rise to several English words through Latin, including “cylinder” and “cycle,” all relating to circular or rolling motion.

Remember This

ἀποκυλίω stands as a powerful testament to divine intervention – when God rolls away our stones, no human effort is required and no obstacle is too great to overcome.