γείτων (geitōn)
geitōn
neighbour
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun geitōn refers to a neighbor in the immediate sense, specifically someone living nearby or close at hand. Derived from the word for ground or land (gē), it emphasizes physical proximity rather than abstract kinship. In the New Testament, this term appears only four times, with three occurrences in the Gospel of Luke and one in John.
In Luke 14:12, Jesus instructs his listeners to invite neighbors when giving a banquet, highlighting the social obligation to those within one’s community. Similarly, in Luke 15, the parables of the lost sheep and coin feature fellow neighbors rejoicing over restoration, underscoring shared joy among those who live close by. The single instance in John 9:8 describes the blind man’s former neighbors coming to see him, illustrating how physical closeness defines this relationship.
Unlike terms that might denote spiritual brotherhood or universal humanity, geitōn grounds the concept of neighborliness in tangible, everyday proximity. It reminds readers that caring for others often begins with those who share one’s immediate space and community life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word geitōn points to someone living right next door or in your immediate vicinity. It is not about a distant relative or a spiritual concept, but about the person you see every day. This grounding in physical proximity reminds us that love often starts with the people we encounter in our daily routines.
Jesus used this simple word to teach practical generosity. In Luke 14:12, He suggests inviting neighbors to a meal not because they can pay you back, but simply because they are there. This shifts our focus from transactional relationships to genuine care for those within our community.
When we look at John 9:8, we see how this closeness plays out in moments of change. The neighbors who once saw the blind man begging now gather around him when he is healed. Their presence shows that shared space creates a bond that persists through life’s transitions. We are invited to value these everyday connections as places where God’s love can be shown.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- neighbours4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γείτονας3×
- γείτονες1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:12
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back.
This verse redefines social obligation by urging the invitation of neighbors based on proximity rather than potential reciprocity.
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Luke 15:6
When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
Here, neighbors are called to share in the joy of restoration, highlighting community as a source of collective celebration.
-
John 9:8
Therefore the neighbors and those who saw that he was blind before said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?”
The term identifies those who recognized the healed man by their prior daily encounters, grounding identity in local familiarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word geitōn mean?
How is geitōn different from other words for neighbor?
Where does this word appear in the New Testament?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Luke 3 verses
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your…
Luke 15:6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found…
Luke 15:9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the…