κατατρέχω (katatrechō)
katatrechō
to rush down
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katatrechō describes the physical act of running down or rushing toward a destination. Its meaning is built from two parts: kata, indicating downward motion or intensity, and trechō, which simply means to run. This combination creates a vivid image of someone moving quickly with purpose, often descending into a specific place.
In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 21:32. The text uses it to describe the Roman commander who hears about a riot and immediately runs down from the fortress to the scene. This single usage highlights the urgency of the moment; he does not walk or wait but rushes down to intervene.
Translators typically render this action as "ran" or "hurried," capturing the speed of the movement. The word focuses entirely on the physical motion rather than any emotional state, though the context implies a sense of duty or alarm. It serves as a precise descriptor for rapid, downward movement in a narrative setting.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face sudden trouble or confusion, it is natural to want immediate answers. The image of rushing down to a scene of conflict reminds us that God’s presence often meets us in the middle of our chaos. In Acts, the commander moves quickly not out of panic, but to restore order and protect someone who was being harmed.
For your own life, this word suggests that God is attentive to urgent needs. You do not have to wait for a perfect moment to seek help or peace. His grace comes with purpose and speed, meeting you exactly where you are in the midst of difficulty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ran down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατέδραμεν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:32
Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul.
This verse shows the word describing the commander's urgent physical descent from the fortress to stop the violence against Paul.