Follow (1872) (epakoloutheo from epi = upon or an intensifier + akoloutheo = to follow literally and also figuratively in a moral sense - see below) literally means to follow after, to follow upon or follow closely. To follow close upon. Literally to go along in someone's footsteps. The figurative meaning is to follow or imitate someone's life, living in the same way. Another nuance describes pursuing a matter (with devotion, dedication or attention) (as in 1Ti 5:10). Mark 16:20 refers to accompanying authenticating signs. The root verb akoloutheo in the NT refers to being a disciple of Christ, which can include external following (Mt 8:19, Mk 10:28) but with the added idea of "a total commitment and in an exclusive relation to one who is recognized as not just a teacher but the Messiah. This discipleship brings participation in salvation (Mk 10:17, Lk 9:61, 62, Jn 8:12, Rev 14:4) but also in suffering (Mt 8:19, 20, Mk 8:34, Jn 12:25, 26)" (TDNTA) In the present context, to follow is used figuratively to mean imitate Christ's example. Caleb, the godly OT saint gives us a wonderful illustration of what it means to follow in His steps... Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo) Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Comment: May his tribe increase! Amen Moulton and Milligan add that... From its original meaning “follow,” “follow after,” this verb came to be used in a number of closely related senses from iii/B.C. onwards. Thus it means “am personally present at,” Epakoloutheo - 4x in 4v in NAS - Mark 16:20; 1Ti 5:10, 24; 1Pet 2:21. NAS = devoted herself(1), follow(1), follow after(1), followed(1). Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. [And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. 1 Timothy 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted (followed after) herself to every good work. 1 Timothy 5:24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, Epakoloutheo - 14x in NAS - Lev 19:4, 31; 20:6; Num 14:24; Deut 12:30; Josh 6:8; 14:8f, 14; Esther 5:1; Job 26:3; 31:7; Pr 7:22; Isa 55:3 Leviticus 19:4 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:31 'Do not turn to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 12:30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow (Lxx = epakoloutheo) them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?' Job 31:7 "If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart followed (Lxx = epakoloutheo) my eyes, Or if any spot has stuck to my hands, Proverbs 7:22 Suddenly he follows (Lxx = epakoloutheo) her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Isaiah 55:3 "Incline your ear and come to (Lxx = epakoloutheo) Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David. Paul has an interesting use of this verb noting that... The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins (although hidden still) follow after (epakoloutheo). (1Ti 5:24) Vincent explains that... The compound verb implies close following. From writers and painters, the metaphor changes now to a guide. Here Peter changes the metaphor from a writer (hupogrammos) to that of a guide. IN HIS STEPS: tois ichnesin autou: Literally "follow His steps" (No preposition for "in" in the Greek sentence) Wuest makes a good point observing that... Peter changes over easily from the idea of a child tracing over the writing of the writing-master to a Christian planting his feet in the foot-prints left by our Lord. In this context, these footprints are foot-prints of suffering. But the illustration holds good for our Lord’s entire life. Just as a child slowly, with painstaking effort and close application, follows the shape of the letters of his teacher and thus learns to write, so saints should with like painstaking effort and by close application, endeavor to be like the Lord Jesus in their own personal lives. Or, as a small child endeavors to walk in the footprints made by his father’s feet in the snow, so we are to follow in the path which our Lord took. The Greek word “follow” means literally “to take the same road” as someone else takes. We should walk the same road that Jesus walked, in short, be Christlike. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)