ἀποστέλλω

Apostellō carries the core meaning of "to send away" or "to dispatch." Unlike simply "sending," it often implies a commission or a specific task given to the one being sent, with the sender's authority accompanying them. The recipient of the sending is not merely going but is being sent with a purpose, representing the sender. This sense of being officially commissioned is central to the term's usage and gives it theological weight, especially in the New Testament concept of apostleship. It is frequently applied to Jesus's mission from the Father and to the disciples' mission from Jesus.

In the Gospels, apostellō is used for various kinds of sending. Jesus "sends out" his disciples with authority to preach and heal, emphasizing their role as his representatives. The Father "sends" Jesus into the world, highlighting Jesus's divine origin and purpose. There are also instances where it describes more mundane sendings, such as Herod sending to arrest John the Baptist or the Pharisees sending officers to seize Jesus. However, even in these cases, there is an underlying sense of dispatching someone with a specific instruction or aim.

The theological significance of apostellō is most evident in the context of Jesus and his disciples. Jesus is the ultimate "sent one" from God, and his entire ministry is an embodiment of this divine commission. In turn, Jesus commissions his followers, particularly the twelve apostles, to continue his work, entrusting them with his message and authority. This relationship establishes a chain of authority and responsibility: the Father sends the Son, and the Son sends his disciples, who then bear witness to the Father and the Son. This concept of divine sending underscores the authenticity and authority of the messengers and their message.