καθίζω (kathizō)
kathizō
to seat
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 45 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kathizō describes the act of seating someone or taking a seat itself. In its most direct sense, it means to make another person sit down, as when Paul instructs believers to appoint judges within the church (1 Corinthians 6:4) or when he speaks of God setting Jesus at His right hand (Ephesians 1:20). This transitive use highlights authority and appointment, establishing a position of standing or judgment.
When used intransitively, the word simply means to sit down or remain seated. The Gospels frequently record Jesus sitting to teach, such as when He takes His place on the mountain in Matthew 5:1 or by the sea in Mark 4:1. It also describes physical rest or waiting, as when Jesus tells His disciples to stay and keep watch with Him in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). In these instances, the posture signals a shift from movement to focused attention.
A notable theological weight appears in passages describing eternal reign. Hebrews 1:3 and Revelation 3:21 use the word to depict Christ’s permanent session at God’s right hand or the promise of sharing that throne. Here, sitting is not merely physical rest but a state of completed work and established authority, contrasting with the standing posture of service or waiting.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kathizō captures the deliberate act of taking a seat, whether it is Jesus settling by the sea to teach or God establishing Christ in a position of authority. In the Gospels, this posture often signals a shift from movement to focused attention. When Jesus sat on the mountain or in the boat, He was not merely resting; He was preparing to impart wisdom and engage with His listeners in a sustained way.
This physical action carries deep theological weight regarding authority and completion. The New Testament uses it to describe Christ sitting at God’s right hand, marking the end of His sacrificial work and the beginning of His eternal reign. For believers, this reminds us that our standing before God is secured by His finished work, not our own striving.
We are invited to find rest in this established authority. Just as Jesus sat to teach and to pray in Gethsemane, we can pause from our busy lives to listen to His voice and trust in His sovereign care. This posture of sitting reflects a confidence that God is in control, allowing us to rest in His presence with peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 45 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having sat down7×
- sat down5×
- to sit4×
- having sat4×
- sat2×
- do sit2×
- He sat2×
- when was sitting down1×
- to sit down1×
- to set1×
- they sat down.1×
- they sat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καθίσας11×
- ἐκάθισεν10×
- καθίσαι6×
- καθίσατε3×
- ἐκάθισεν·2×
- ἐκάθισαν2×
- καθίσαντες2×
- ἐκάθισεν,1×
- ἐκάθισαν.¶1×
- ἐκάθισα1×
- κεκάθικεν.¶1×
- καθίσῃ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:1
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
This verse shows Jesus adopting a teaching posture, signaling a shift from travel to focused instruction for the disciples.
-
Mark 16:19
So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
This occurrence highlights Christ’s exalted status and completed work by describing His session at the right hand of God.
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Luke 4:20
He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Here, sitting marks the moment Jesus transitions from reading Scripture to delivering His prophetic message to the synagogue.
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Matthew 25:31
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
This verse depicts the future judgment where the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, emphasizing final authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kathizō mean in the New Testament?
Why does Jesus sit down in the Gospels?
How is kathizō used to describe Christ’s authority?
Every Occurrence (45 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 8 verses
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Matthew 13:48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the…
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man…
Matthew 20:21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand…
Matthew 20:23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on…
Matthew 23:2saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.
Matthew 25:31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his…
Matthew 26:36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…