παρά (para)
para
from/with/beside
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 184 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The preposition para carries the core sense of being "beside" or "near." Its meaning shifts depending on the grammatical case it governs, allowing the New Testament to express a wide range of spatial and relational ideas with a single word. This flexibility makes it one of the most common prepositions in the Greek text, appearing frequently in the Gospels and Acts.
When used with the genitive case, para indicates source or origin, meaning "from" the side of someone. We see this when Jesus speaks of sending the Helper from the Father (John 15:26) or when Paul notes that he received his gospel message from Christ (Galatians 1:12). In these contexts, it marks the starting point of an action or the person from whom something comes.
With the dative case, para describes proximity, meaning "by," "with," or "beside." It places a person or object in close association with another, such as when Andrew finds his brother Simon and brings him to Jesus (John 1:41). The accusative case adds a sense of motion toward that position, often translated as "to" or "alongside," as when fishermen cast their nets beside the lake (Luke 5:2). This spatial logic also extends metaphorically to mean "contrary to" or "beyond," as in Romans 4:18, where Abraham believes against all hope.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word para reminds us that God is never distant from our daily lives. In Greek, it often means being right beside someone or near them. When Jesus sat by the sea to teach crowds, He was physically close to those seeking help. This proximity shows that the divine presence is accessible, not hidden away in a far-off realm.
Even when we feel isolated, this preposition suggests connection. It can mean receiving something from another person or being situated with them. Whether you are casting your nets into unknown waters or sitting quietly by a roadside, there is a sense of nearness available to you. Faith grows in these moments of proximity, where the ordinary meets the sacred.
Consider how often Jesus used simple locations to share profound truths. The sea was not just water; it was a place of encounter. Similarly, your current surroundings can become spaces of grace. You do not need to travel far to find support or insight. Sometimes, simply being present with others and open to guidance is enough for peace to arrive.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 184 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from68×
- with36×
- by13×
- beside9×
- at9×
- than6×
- beyond6×
- along6×
- contrary to5×
- of4×
- before3×
- among3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρὰ131×
- παρ᾽61×
- παρά3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 4:18
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
This verse uses the word to describe Jesus walking alongside the sea, highlighting His approachable presence among ordinary fishermen.
-
Mark 4:15
The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
Here the term identifies those who hear the message but are merely beside it without internalizing it, contrasting physical proximity with spiritual engagement.
-
Matthew 20:30
Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
The blind men are described as sitting by the road, showing how those on the margins seek mercy from a passing Savior.
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Mark 1:16
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
This occurrence parallels Matthew's account, emphasizing Jesus moving through the world in close proximity to His future disciples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does para mean in the New Testament?
How is para different from other prepositions like meta?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (184 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 17 verses
Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
Matthew 2:7Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male…
Matthew 4:18Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net…
Matthew 6:1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from…
Matthew 8:10When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…
Matthew 13:1On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside.
Matthew 13:4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which…
Matthew 15:29Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there.
Matthew 15:30Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down…
Matthew 18:19Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…
Matthew 19:26Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on…
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of…
Matthew 22:25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Matthew 28:15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until…