καταντάω (katantaō)
katantaō
to come to
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katantaō describes arriving at or reaching a destination. In the New Testament, it frequently appears in Acts to mark physical travel, such as when Paul reaches Corinth (Acts 18:1) or sails to Syracuse (Acts 28:13). These accounts use the word to ground the narrative in real geography, showing where the early missionaries actually went.
Beyond physical movement, the word carries a metaphorical weight of attaining a spiritual goal. Paul uses it in Philippians 3:11 to express his desire to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Similarly, Ephesians 4:13 speaks of believers growing until they reach unity and maturity in Christ. Here, the focus shifts from miles traveled to spiritual progress.
Its etymology combines a prefix meaning "down" or "fully" with a root related to meeting or opposing. This structure suggests not just passive arrival, but an active reaching toward something specific. Translators often render it simply as "come to," though the Greek implies a purposeful journey toward a defined end.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word katantaō describes the act of arriving at a destination or reaching a specific goal. In the New Testament, it appears in travel narratives where Paul and his companions reach cities like Ephesus or Puteoli. These accounts ground the story in real geography, showing that the early church was not abstract but lived out its faith in tangible places.
Beyond physical travel, the word carries a deeper spiritual meaning. It speaks of attaining a divine aim, such as growing into unity with Christ or hoping to reach the resurrection from the dead. This suggests that the Christian life is a purposeful journey toward a defined end, guided by God’s grace rather than human effort alone.
When you feel uncertain about your spiritual progress, remember that this word emphasizes reaching a goal set by God. Whether you are navigating daily challenges or seeking deeper maturity in faith, you can trust that He guides you toward the unity and fullness found in Christ. This hope anchors us in His faithful promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- we arrived2×
- came down2×
- we may attain1×
- to attain,1×
- having arrived1×
- has it come?1×
- has come.1×
- came1×
- They came1×
- I shall attain1×
- He came1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατηντήσαμεν3×
- κατήντησαν2×
- κατήντησεν;¶1×
- κατήντησεν1×
- κατήντηκεν.¶1×
- καταντῆσαι,1×
- καταντήσωμεν1×
- καταντήσω1×
- καταντήσαντες1×
- Κατήντησεν1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:13
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
This verse uses the word to describe the spiritual goal of believers growing into unity and maturity in Christ, shifting focus from physical travel to inner transformation.
-
Philippians 3:11
if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Paul uses this term here to express his earnest desire to reach the resurrection from the dead, highlighting its use for a future spiritual hope rather than a present location.
-
Acts 18:19
He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
In this narrative context, the word marks Paul’s physical arrival in Ephesus, grounding the missionary journey in a specific historical and geographical setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word katantaō mean?
How is katantaō different from other words for 'coming'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 4 books)
Acts 9 verses
He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed,…
Acts 18:19He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the…
Acts 20:15Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at…
Acts 21:7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one…
Acts 25:13Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
Acts 26:7which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the…
Acts 27:12Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they…
Acts 28:13From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we…