κατέρχομαι (katerchomai)
katerchomai
to descend
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katerchomai simply means to come down or go down, describing movement from a higher place to a lower one. In the New Testament, it appears sixteen times, primarily in Luke and Acts, where it tracks the physical journeys of early Christians and apostles as they travel between regions.
Its usage is remarkably concrete, often marking specific transitions in narrative. We see it when Jesus leaves Capernaum for other towns (Luke 4:31), when Paul sails to Jerusalem (Acts 21:3), or when believers move from one city to another to spread the message (Acts 8:5; 19:1). It also describes coming down to visit people, such as Peter’s journey to Caesarea (Acts 10:23).
While mostly literal, the word carries a subtle metaphorical weight in James 3:15. There it contrasts heavenly wisdom with earthly desire, describing something that "comes down" from below rather than from above. This usage highlights the word’s core idea of origin and direction, grounding spiritual concepts in physical movement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katerchomai simply describes moving from a higher place to a lower one. In the New Testament, it appears sixteen times, mostly in Luke and Acts. It tracks the physical journeys of Jesus and the early apostles as they travel between regions. This concrete usage grounds spiritual narratives in real geography and movement.
While primarily literal, the word carries subtle metaphorical weight in James 3:15. There it contrasts heavenly wisdom with earthly desire, describing something that comes down from below rather than from above. This highlights the word’s core idea of origin and direction, reminding us that where we come from shapes who we are.
For your faith, this word invites you to see God’s work in everyday transitions. Whether you are traveling to spread the message or navigating personal changes, these movements matter. They are not random but part of a larger story of connection and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- came down3×
- having gone down2×
- when were descending1×
- went down1×
- went1×
- we disembarked1×
- we came1×
- to come down1×
- having landed1×
- having come down1×
- descending1×
- coming down,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατῆλθον4×
- κατελθὼν3×
- κατήλθομεν2×
- κατελθεῖν2×
- κατῆλθέν1×
- κατῆλθεν1×
- κατερχομένη,1×
- κατελθόντων1×
- κατελθόντες1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:31
He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath day,
This verse marks Jesus' deliberate movement from Nazareth to Capernaum, initiating His public ministry in Galilee.
-
Acts 8:5
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Philip's descent into Samaria shows the gospel expanding beyond Jerusalem to new communities.
-
James 3:15
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
Here katerchomai metaphorically describes wisdom originating from earthly, sensual sources rather than heaven.