Archo marks beginning an action or event, beginning from a stated point, and in one verse exercising rule.

The dominant use marks the commencement of speaking, acting, responding, or an event taking place. Participial uses can locate that commencement at a stated source or point, while one present active infinitive occurs in a saying about those who rule the Gentiles.

1. To commence an action or event · dominant

   Aorist middle forms introduce the start of actions: in Acts 2:4 the APB renders that those filled with holy spirit “began to speak,” and in John 13:5 it renders the start of washing the disciples’ feet. The same pattern frames speech and responses in Luke 11:29 and Mark 10:47, and events beginning in Luke 21:28.

   Acts 2:4John 13:5Luke 11:29Mark 10:47Luke 21:28Luke 15:24
2. To begin from a stated point · occasional

   Aorist middle participles occur with a specified starting point or source. In Acts 10:37 the APB renders a declaration as “beginning from Galilee,” while Acts 8:35 has Philip proclaiming Jesus “beginning from this Scripture”; Luke 24:47 similarly places proclamation “beginning from Jerusalem.”

   Acts 10:37Acts 1:22Acts 8:35Luke 23:5Luke 24:47Luke 3:23
3. To rule or exercise authority · rare

   In Mark 10:42, the present active infinitive occurs in Jesus’ statement about those considered to rule the Gentiles and their great ones exercising authority over them. This is distinct from the surrounding uses that introduce the start of an action.

   Mark 10:42

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with “began,” “begin,” or “beginning from,” as in Acts 2:4, Acts 8:35, and Luke 24:47; Mark 10:42 presents the clause in terms of ruling. These are verse-level renderings rather than definitions.