κατάκειμαι (katakeimai)

The verb katakeimai describes a person lying down, often implying a state of rest or illness. In the New Testament, it appears twelve times, primarily in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John. The sources distinguish between two main contexts: being sick in bed or reclining at a meal. When used for sickness, it conveys physical helplessness, as seen when Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30) or the man at Bethesda (John 5:6).

In social settings, the word signifies reclining at table, the customary posture for dining in the ancient world. This usage highlights communal fellowship and status. For instance, it describes the scene where a sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet while He is reclining (Luke 7:37) or the Last Supper preparations (Mark 14:3). The term captures both the vulnerability of the sick and the intimacy of shared meals.

Its etymology combines kata ("down") with keimai ("to lie"), emphasizing a downward, settled position. Translators typically render it as "lying" or "reclining," preserving the physical reality of the scene without adding theological interpretation. The word grounds biblical narratives in tangible human experiences of rest, sickness, and community.