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STRONGS NT 720: ἀρνέομαιἀρνέομαι,ἀρνοῦμαι; futureἀρνήσομαι; imperfectἠρνουμην; 1 aoristἠρνησαμην (rare in Attic, where generallyἠρνήθην, cf. Matth. i., p. 538 (better,Veitch, under the word)); perfectή᾿ρνημαι; a deponent verb ((fromHomer down)) signifying

1.to deny, i. e.εἰπεῖν ...οὐκ (to say ...not, contradict):Mark 14:70;Matthew 26:70;John 1:20;John 18:25, 27;Luke 8:45;Acts 4:16; followed byὅτιοὐ instead of simpleὅτι, in order to make the negation more strong and explicit:Matthew 26:72;1 John 2:22; (on the same use in Greek writings cf. Kühner, ii., p. 761; (Jelf, ii. 450;Winer's Grammar, § 65, 2β.;Buttmann, 355 (305))).

2.to deny, with an accusative of the person, in various senses:

a.ἀρνουσθαιἸησοῦν is used of followers of Jesus who, for fear of death or persecution, deny that Jesus is their master, and desert his cause (to disown):Matthew 10:33;Luke 12:9; (John 13:38L textTTrWH);2 Timothy 2:12 (ἀρνουσθαιτόὄνομααὐτοῦ,Revelation 3:8, means the same); and on the other hand, of Jesus, denying that one is his follower:Matthew 10:33;2 Timothy 2:12.

b.ἀρνουσθαι God and Christ, is used of those who by cherishing and disseminating pernicious opinions and immorality are adjudged to have apostatized from God and Christ:1 John 2:22 (cf. 4:2;2 John 1:7-11);Jude 1:4;2 Peter 2:1.

c.ἀρνουσθαιἑαυτόν,to deny himself, is used in two senses,α. to disregard his own interests:Luke 9:23 (RWH marginal readingἀπαρν.); cf.ἀπαρνέομαι.β. to prove false to himself, act entirely unlike himself:2 Timothy 2:13.

3.to deny i. e. abnegate, abjure;τί, to renounce a thing, forsake it:τήνἀσέβειανκαίτάςἐπιθυμίας,Titus 2:12; by act to show estrangement from a thing:τήνπίστιν,1 Timothy 5:8;Revelation 2:13;τήνδύναμιντῆςεὐσεβείας,2 Timothy 3:5. 4.not to accept, to reject, refuse, something offered:τινα,Acts 3:14;Acts 7:35; with an infinitive indicating the thing,Hebrews 11:24. (Compare:ἀπαρνέομαι.)

The verb ἀρνέομαι (Strong’s 720) expresses an intentional denial, refusal, or disowning. In Scripture it moves along two principal axes: a negative disavowal of Christ and His truth, and a positive renunciation of self or worldly prestige for the sake of faithful obedience.

Peter’s Threefold Denial and Its Lessons

All four Gospels record Peter’s failure in the high-priest’s courtyard (Matthew 26:70-72;Mark 14:68-70;Luke 22:57;John 18:25-27). His repeated “I do not know the man” models the fearful denial believers are warned against. Yet Peter’s later restoration (John 21:15-19) and Spirit-empowered boldness (Acts 4:8-20) demonstrate Christ’s willingness to forgive and recommission those who repent.

Self-Denial as the Path of Discipleship

Jesus places denial at the heart of following Him: “If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Here ἀρνέομαι is positive—rejecting self-sovereignty in order to submit to Christ’s lordship.Titus 2:12 extends this call to “deny ungodliness and worldly passions” as grace trains believers toward godly living.

Denial Under Pressure and Public Witness

Luke 12:9 andMatthew 10:33 issue a sober promise: “whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”Revelation 2:13 and 3:8 commend congregations that “did not deny My name” amid persecution, affirming that steadfast confession glorifies Christ and secures His approval.

False Teachers and Apostasy

2 Peter 2:1, Jude 4, and1 John 2:22-23 expose deceivers who “deny the Master who bought them” or “deny that Jesus is the Christ.” Such doctrinal denial is a hallmark of apostasy and invites swift judgment. Paul warns of a hollow religiosity that “denies its power” (2 Timothy 3:5) and a verbal profession that is empty: “They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him” (Titus 1:16).

Divine Faithfulness Despite Human Denial

Believers may fail, yet God remains true: “If we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:12-13). The verse couples a solemn warning with an assurance of God’s unchanging character.

Refusal for Righteous Reasons

Hebrews 11:24 honors Moses, who “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,” choosing mistreatment with God’s people over fleeting luxury. Here ἀρνέομαι depicts a holy rejection of worldly privilege that conflicts with covenant loyalty.

Practical Implications for Ministry

• Preaching must urge heartfelt confession of Christ, not mere external profession.
• Discipleship involves constant self-denial empowered by grace.
• Churches must guard doctrine, exposing any teaching that denies the Lord.
• Pastoral care should restore repentant believers who have fallen under fear or pressure, following Christ’s pattern with Peter.
• Persecution tests confession; believers are to pray for courage like that displayed inActs 4:19–20, refusing to deny what they have “seen and heard.”

Summary

Strong’s 720 highlights the stark choice between confessing or denying Christ. It summons the Christian to repudiate self, sin, and falsehood, while holding fast to the Savior whose own faithfulness never fails.