καταδιώκω (katadiōkō)
katadiōkō
to seek
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katadiōkō describes the act of pursuing someone with close attention, whether for hostile or kindly purposes. It is a compound word combining kata ("down" or "intensive") and diōkō ("to pursue"), creating a sense of thoroughness that goes beyond simple following. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Mark 1:36, where Simon Peter and his companions track down Jesus after He has withdrawn to pray.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s capacity for benevolent intent. Unlike its more common cousin diōkō, which often implies persecution or aggressive chasing, katadiōkō here reflects a determined search born of concern. The disciples are not hunting an enemy but seeking their teacher, illustrating how the prefix kata intensifies the action without necessarily changing its moral direction.
The rarity of this term in Scripture makes its usage in Mark particularly significant. It captures a moment of intimate pursuit, where the urgency of the seekers is matched by the quiet solitude of the sought. This distinction allows readers to appreciate the nuance between hostile chasing and devoted following, showing how language can convey deep relational dynamics.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katadiōkō captures a specific kind of urgency. It is not just walking behind someone, but searching for them with focused intent. In Mark 1:36, Peter and the others use this determined search to find Jesus after He has withdrawn to pray. This shows that seeking God often requires active effort and persistence, especially when He seems distant or quiet.
When life feels overwhelming, we might feel like our prayers are lost in the noise. Yet this word reminds us that drawing near to Christ is a deliberate act. It invites you to pause your routine and look for Him with the same earnestness Peter showed. You do not need perfect words or grand gestures; simply seeking His presence is enough.
May you find peace in knowing that He welcomes your search. Even when He seems hidden, your effort to find Him matters deeply. Let this encourage you to keep looking, trusting that He is always ready to be found by those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he went after1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατεδίωξεν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 1:36
Simon and those who were with him searched for him.
This verse shows the word used for a benevolent search where disciples actively track down Jesus to bring Him back to the crowd.