ἀποκρίνω, ἀποκρίνομαι,

[in LXX chiefly for ענה ;]

in cl.

__1. to separate, distinguish.

__2. to choose.

Mid. to answer: Mat.27:12, Mrk.14:61, Luk.3:16 23:9, Jhn.5:17, 19 Act.3:12. In late Gk. the pass, also is used in this sense, and pass. forms are the more frequently in NT (M, Pr. 39, 161; MM, see word);

__(a) in general sense: absol. Mrk.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.22:46; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:38; before πρός, Act.25:16;

__(b) Hebraistically

__(i) like ענה, to begin to speak, take up the conversation (Kennedy, Sources, 124f.): Mat.11:25, al.

__(ii) redundant, as in the Heb. phrase וַיַּעַן וַיּאֹמֶר (Dalman, Words, 24f. 38; M, Pr. 14; Bl. §58, 4; 74, 2; Cremer, 374): ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε, Mat.4:4; ἔφη, 8:8; λέγει, Mrk.3:33; in Jo most frequently (ἀπεκ. κ. εἶπε, 1:49. )

(AS)

to separate; distinguish; to choose; to answer; to begin to speak; take up the conversation