1

“CONVERT” IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

King James Version – 10 Occurrences

NT:4762 strepho (stref'-o); strengthened from the base of NT:5157; to twist, i.e. turn quite around or
reverse (literally or figuratively) KJV - convert, turn (again, back againselfself,, about).
NT:1994 epistrepho (ep-ee-stref'-o); from NT:1909 and NT:4762; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
KJV - come (go) again, convert, (re-) turn (about, again).
NT:1995 epistrophe (ep-is-trof-ay'); from NT:1994; reversion, i.e. morally, revolution (see 1994 “[re]turn”)

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted (1994 “[re]turn”), and I should heal
them. (KJV)
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted (4762 “change [back]”), and become
as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted (1994 “[re]turn”), and their sins should be forgiven them.
(KJV)
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted (1994
“[re]turned”), strengthen thy brethren. (KJV)
John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes,
nor understand with their heart, and be converted (4762 “change [back]”), and I should heal them.
(KJV)
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted (1994 “[re]turn”), that your sins may be blotted out,
when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (KJV)
Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
declaring the conversion (1995 “[re]turning”) of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the
brethren. (KJV)
Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes
have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with
their heart, and should be converted (1994 “[re]turn”), and I should heal them. (KJV)
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert (1994 “[re]turn”) him; (KJV)
James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth (1994 “[re]turn”) the sinner from the error of his way
shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (KJV)
 2

NIV Translation – 8 Occurrences

NT:4339 proselutos (pros-ay'-loo-tos); from the alternate of NT:4334; an arriver from a foreign region, i.e.
(specifically) an acceder (convert) to Judaism ("proselyte")
NT:1995 epistrophe (ep-is-trof-ay'); from NT:1994; reversion, i.e. morally, revolution (see 1994 “[re]turn”)
NT:536 aparche (ap-ar-khay'); from a compound of NT:575 and NT:756; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the
(Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively)
NT:3504 neophutos (neh-of'-oo-tos); from NT:3501 and a derivative of NT:5453; newly planted, i.e.
(figuratively) a young convert ("neophyte"), novice.

Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and
sea to win a single convert (4339 "proselyte"), and when he becomes one, you make him twice as
much a son of hell as you are. (NIV)
Acts 2:11 (both Jews and converts (4339 "proselytes") to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them
declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" (NIV)
Acts 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert (4339
"proselyte") to Judaism. (NIV)
Acts 13:43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts (4339
"proselytes") to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to
continue in the grace of God. (NIV)
Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they
told how the Gentiles had been converted (1995 “[re]turn”). This news made all the brothers very
glad. (NIV)
Romans 16:5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the
first convert (536 “first fruit”) to Christ in the province of Asia. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts (536 “first fruits”) in
Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, (NIV)
1 Timothy 3:6 He must not be a recent convert (3504 "neophyte"), or he may become conceited and fall
under the same judgment as the devil. (NIV)

Verses where both KJV & NIV translations agree – 1 Occurrence!

Acts 15:3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
declaring the conversion (1995 “[re]turn”) of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the
brethren. (KJV)
Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they
told how the Gentiles had been converted (1995 “[re]turn”). This news made all the brothers very
glad. (NIV)
 3

EPISTREPHO / STREPHO WORD STUDY

NT:1994 epistrepho (ep-ee-stref'-o); from NT:1909 and NT:4762; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
KJV - come (go) again, convert, (re-) turn (about, again).

Matthew 13:15 V-ASA-3P Acts 26:18 V-ANA

GRK: συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι GRK: αὐτῶν τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι ἀπὸ σκότους
NAS: with their heart and return, and I would heal NAS: their eyes so that they may turn from darkness
KJV: and should be converted, and KJV: eyes, [and] to turn [them] from
INT: they should understand and should return and I should heal INT: of them that [they] may turn from darkness

Mark 4:12 V-ASA-3P Acts 26:20 V-PNA

GRK: μή ποτε ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἀφεθῇ GRK: μετανοεῖν καὶ ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: otherwise they might return and be forgiven. NAS: that they should repent and turn to God,
KJV: lest at any time they should be converted, and KJV: and turn to God
INT: lest ever they should turn and they should be forgiven INT: to repent and to turn to God

Luke 1:16 V-FIA-3S Acts 28:27 V-ASA-3P

GRK: υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ ἐπιστρέψει ἐπὶ Κύριον GRK: συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι
NAS: And he will turn many of the sons NAS: WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL
KJV: of Israel shall he turn to the Lord KJV: and should be converted, and
INT: sons of Israel will he turn to [the] Lord INT: they should understand and should turn and I should heal

Luke 22:32 V-APA-NMS 2 Corinthians 3:16 V-ASA-3S

GRK: σύ ποτε ἐπιστρέψας στήρισον τοὺς GRK: δὲ ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς Κύριον
NAS: and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen NAS: but whenever a person turns to the Lord,
KJV: thou art converted, strengthen KJV: when it shall turn to the Lord,
INT: you when having turned back strengthen the INT: moreover if [one] shall have turned to [the] Lord

Acts 3:19 V-AMA-2P 1 Thessalonians 1:9 V-AIA-2P

GRK: οὖν καὶ ἐπιστρέψατε εἰς τὸ GRK: καὶ πῶς ἐπεστρέψατε πρὸς τὸν
NAS: repent and return, so NAS: with you, and how you turned to God
KJV: therefore, and be converted, that your KJV: and how ye turned to God
INT: therefore and return for the INT: and how you turned to

Acts 9:35 V-AIA-3P James 5:19 V-ASA-3S

GRK: Σαρῶνα οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν GRK: ἀληθείας καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ τις αὐτόν
NAS: saw him, and they turned to the Lord. NAS: from the truth and one turns him back,
KJV: him, and turned to the Lord. KJV: and one convert him;
INT: Sharon who turned to the Lord INT: truth and bring back anyone him

Acts 11:21 V-AIA-3S James 5:20 V-APA-NMS

GRK: ὁ πιστεύσας ἐπέστρεψεν ἐπὶ τὸν GRK: ὅτι ὁ ἐπιστρέψας ἁμαρτωλὸν ἐκ
NAS: who believed turned to the Lord. NAS: let him know that he who turns a sinner
KJV: believed, and turned unto the Lord KJV: that he which converteth the sinner
INT: having believed turned to the Lord INT: that the [one] having brought back a sinner from

Acts 14:15 V-PNA 1 Peter 2:25 V-AIP-2P

GRK: τῶν ματαίων ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπὶ θεὸν GRK: πλανώμενοι ἀλλὰ ἐπεστράφητε νῦν ἐπὶ
NAS: preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these NAS: but now you have returned to the Shepherd
KJV: unto you that ye should turn from KJV: are now returned unto the Shepherd
INT: vanities to turn to God INT: going astray but are returned now to

Acts 15:19 V-PPA-DMP

GRK: τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐπιστρέφουσιν ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: those who are turning to God
KJV: the Gentiles are turned to
INT: the Gentiles are turning to
 4

Matthew 10:13 V-AMP-3S Luke 17:31 V-AMA-3S

GRK: πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω GRK: ὁμοίως μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω εἰς τὰ
NAS: it is not worthy, take back your [blessing of] peace. NAS: is in the field must not turn back.
KJV: let your peace return to you. KJV: likewise not return back.
INT: to you let return INT: likewise not let him return to the things

Matthew 12:44 V-FIA-1S John 21:20 V-APP-NMS

GRK: οἶκόν μου ἐπιστρέψω ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον GRK: Ἐπιστραφεὶς ὁ Πέτρος
NAS: it says, 'I will return to my house NAS: Peter, turning around, saw
KJV: Then he saith, I will return into my KJV: Peter, turning about, seeth
INT: house of me I will return from where I came out INT: having turned Peter

Matthew 24:18 V-AMA-3S Acts 9:40 V-APA-NMS

GRK: ἀγρῷ μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω ὀπίσω ἆραι GRK: προσηύξατο καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ
NAS: is in the field must not turn back NAS: and prayed, and turning to the body,
KJV: the field return back KJV: and turning [him] to
INT: field Neither let him return back to take INT: he prayed And having turned to the

Mark 5:30 V-APP-NMS Acts 15:36 V-APA-NMP

GRK: δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν ἐπιστραφεὶς ἐν τῷ GRK: Βαρνάβαν Παῦλος Ἐπιστρέψαντες δὴ ἐπισκεψώμεθα
NAS: [proceeding] from Him had gone forth, turned around in the NAS: to Barnabas, Let us return and visit
crowd KJV: Let us go again and visit
KJV: him, turned him about in INT: Barnabas Paul Having turned back indeed let us look after
INT: power has gone forth having turned in the
Acts 16:18 V-APA-NMS
Mark 8:33 V-APP-NMS GRK: Παῦλος καὶ ἐπιστρέψας τῷ πνεύματι
GRK: ὁ δὲ ἐπιστραφεὶς καὶ ἰδὼν NAS: was greatly annoyed, and turned and said
NAS: But turning around and seeing KJV: Paul, being grieved, turned and said
KJV: But when he had turned about and INT: Paul and having turned to the spirit
INT: and having turned and having seen
Galatians 4:9 V-PIA-2P
Mark 13:16 V-AMA-3S GRK: θεοῦ πῶς ἐπιστρέφετε πάλιν ἐπὶ
GRK: ἀγρὸν μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω εἰς τὰ NAS: how is it that you turn back again
NAS: is in the field must not turn back KJV: God, how turn ye again to
KJV: turn back again for to take up his INT: God how do you turn again to
INT: field not let him return to the things
2 Peter 2:22 V-APA-NMS
Luke 1:17 V-ANA GRK: παροιμίας Κύων ἐπιστρέψας ἐπὶ τὸ
GRK: δυνάμει Ἠλίου ἐπιστρέψαι καρδίας πατέρων NAS: A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN
NAS: of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS KJV: his own vomit again; and the sow
KJV: of Elias, to turn the hearts INT: proverb [The] dog having returned to the
INT: power of Elijah to turn [the] hearts of fathers
Revelation 1:12 V-AIA-1S
Luke 2:39 V-AIA-3P GRK: Καὶ ἐπέστρεψα βλέπειν τὴν
GRK: νόμον Κυρίου ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς τὴν NAS: Then I turned to see the voice
NAS: of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, KJV: And I turned to see the voice
INT: law of [the] Lord they returned to INT: And I turned to see the

Luke 8:55 V-AIA-3S Revelation 1:12 V-APA-NMS

GRK: καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν τὸ πνεῦμα GRK: ἐμοῦ καὶ ἐπιστρέψας εἶδον ἑπτὰ
NAS: And her spirit returned, and she got NAS: that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw
KJV: her spirit came again, and she arose KJV: me. And being turned, I saw seven
INT: And returned the spirit INT: me and having turned I saw seven

Luke 17:4 V-ASA-3S 36 Occurrences of NT:1994 epistrepho.

GRK: καὶ ἑπτάκις ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς σὲ • 17 times used to mean (or imply) turning (away from sin and)
NAS: a day, and returns to you seven times, towards God.
KJV: in a day turn again to • 19 times used to mean return or turn in a more physical sense
INT: and seven times should return to you (eg Mk 5:30 Jesus turns around to see who touched Him...)
 5

NT:1995 epistrophe (ep-is-trof-ay'); The gerund (verbal noun) created from NT:1994; reversion, i.e.
morally, revolution (see 1994 “[re]turn”).

Acts 15:3 N-AFS

GRK: ἐκδιηγούμενοι τὴν ἐπιστροφὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν
NAS: describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles,
KJV: declaring the conversion of the Gentiles:
NIV: they told how the Gentiles had been converted.
GWT: they told the whole story of how non-Jewish people were turning to God.

1 Occurrence of NT:1995 epistrophe

• This one instance is translated by many translations as “conversion” but it is the same basic root as 1994 and implies turning towards God.

NT:4762 strepho (stref'-o); strengthened from the base of NT:5157; to twist, i.e. turn quite around or
reverse (literally or figuratively) KJV - convert, turn (again, back again, self about).

Matthew 18:3 V-ASP-2P Luke 7:9 V-APP-NMS

GRK: ἐὰν μὴ στραφῆτε καὶ γένησθε GRK: αὐτόν καὶ στραφεὶς τῷ ἀκολουθοῦντι
NAS: to you, unless you are converted and become NAS: He marveled at him, and turned and said
KJV: Except ye be converted, and KJV: and turned him about, and said
ESV: unless you turn and become like children INT: him and having turned to the following
NIV: unless you change and become like little children
Luke 7:44 V-APP-NMS
John 12:40 V-ASP-3P GRK: καὶ στραφεὶς πρὸς τὴν
GRK: καρδίᾳ καὶ στραφῶσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι NAS: Turning toward the woman,
NAS: with their heart, and be converted and I heal KJV: And he turned to the woman,
INT: heart and be converted and I should heal INT: And having turned to the
NIV: they can neither … understand with their hearts, nor turn…
Luke 9:55 V-APP-NMS
Matthew 5:39 V-AMA-2S GRK: στραφεὶς δὲ ἐπετίμησεν
GRK: σιαγόνα σου στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ NAS: But He turned and rebuked
NAS: cheek, turn the other KJV: But he turned, and rebuked them,
KJV: right cheek, turn to him the other INT: having turned moreover he rebuked
INT: cheek of you turn to him also
Luke 10:23 V-APP-NMS
Matthew 7:6 V-APP-NMP GRK: Καὶ στραφεὶς πρὸς τοὺς
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ στραφέντες ῥήξωσιν ὑμᾶς NAS: Turning to the disciples, He said
NAS: their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. KJV: And he turned him unto
KJV: feet, and turn again and rend you. INT: And having turned to the
INT: of them and having turned they tear to pieces you
Luke 14:25 V-APP-NMS
GRK: πολλοί καὶ στραφεὶς εἶπεν πρὸς
Matthew 9:22 V-APP-NMS NAS: were going along with Him; and He turned and said
GRK: δὲ Ἰησοῦς στραφεὶς καὶ ἰδὼν KJV: with him: and he turned, and said unto
NAS: But Jesus turning and seeing her said, INT: great and having turned he said to
INT: moreover Jesus having turned and having seen
Luke 22:61 V-APP-NMS
Matthew 16:23 V-APP-NMS GRK: καὶ στραφεὶς ὁ κύριος
GRK: ὁ δὲ στραφεὶς εἶπεν τῷ NAS: The Lord turned and looked at Peter.
NAS: But He turned and said to Peter, KJV: the Lord turned, and looked upon
KJV: But he turned, and said unto Peter, INT: And having turned the Lord
INT: moreover having turned he said
Luke 23:28 V-APP-NMS
Matthew 27:3 V-AIA-3S GRK: στραφεὶς δὲ πρὸς
GRK: κατεκρίθη μεταμεληθεὶς ἔστρεψεν τὰ τριάκοντα NAS: But Jesus turning to them said,
NAS: he felt remorse and returned the thirty KJV: But Jesus turning unto them
INT: he was condemned having regretted [it] returned the thirty INT: having turned moreover to
 6

John 1:38 V-APP-NMS Acts 7:42 V-AIA-3S

GRK: στραφεὶς δὲ ὁ GRK: ἔστρεψεν δὲ ὁ
NAS: And Jesus turned and saw NAS: But God turned away and delivered
KJV: Then Jesus turned, and saw KJV: Then God turned, and gave
INT: Having turned however INT: Turned however

John 20:14 V-AIP-3S Acts 13:46 V-PIM/P-1P

GRK: ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ GRK: ζωῆς ἰδοὺ στρεφόμεθα εἰς τὰ
NAS: this, she turned around NAS: behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
KJV: thus said, she turned herself back, KJV: life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
INT: these things having said she turned back INT: life Behold we turn to the

John 20:16 V-APP-NFS Revelation 11:6 V-PNA

GRK: Ἰησοῦς Μαριάμ στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει GRK: τῶν ὑδάτων στρέφειν αὐτὰ εἰς
NAS: to her, Mary! She turned and said NAS: the waters to turn them into blood,
KJV: She turned herself, and saith KJV: over waters to turn them to
INT: Jesus Mary having turned around she says INT: the waters to turn them into

Acts 7:39 V-AIP-3P 21 Occurrences of NT:4762 strepho

GRK: ἀπώσαντο καὶ ἐστράφησαν ἐν ταῖς • 2 times used to mean (or imply) turning (away from sin and)
NAS: him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, towards God.
KJV: hearts turned back again into
• 19 times used to mean return or turn in a more physical sense
INT: thrust [him] away and turned back in the
(eg Jn 1:38 Jesus turns around and sees John’s disciples...)