διακρίνειν, [3 verses](verb pres inf act) "Discern" is diakrino, which means "to separate," "to separate one from another," "to discriminate," "to distinguish," "to decide," and "to separate into elemental parts." It captures the idea of telling one thing from another. It also means "to question" or "to doubt." In the Gospels, it is most often translated as "doubt" and second most often translated as "judge."  - "Discern" is from a verb that means "to separate," "to discriminate," "to distinguish," and "to decide." It captures the idea of telling one thing from another. It also means "to question" or "to doubt." In the Gospels, it is most often translated as "doubt" and second most often translated as "judge." Jesus only uses this word three times.