παραβαίνω (parabainō)
parabainō
to transgress
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parabainō literally means to go past or step beyond a boundary. In biblical usage it carries the sense of overstepping a limit, whether that is a human tradition or divine command. It describes an active violation rather than a passive failure, implying a deliberate crossing of a line that should not be crossed.
This word appears in Matthew 15:2-3 when Jesus confronts religious leaders for breaking God’s commands by clinging to their own traditions. The imagery is physical: stepping over a boundary marker into forbidden territory. It also occurs in Acts 1:25 regarding Judas, where the phrase "turn aside from" suggests abandoning a position or trust that was assigned.
Its root combines para ("beside") and bainō ("to go"), evoking the image of walking past something rather than through it. Translators typically render it as "transgress" or "break," capturing the idea of violating an established order. The term emphasizes the act of crossing a defined limit, making the breach clear and intentional.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parabainō paints a vivid picture of stepping over a boundary line. It is not merely stumbling or making an accidental mistake; it describes the conscious act of crossing into territory that has been marked as off-limits. When we encounter this term in Scripture, we see that God’s commands are not vague suggestions but defined boundaries designed to protect and guide His people.
In Matthew 15, Jesus uses this concept to highlight a serious spiritual danger: allowing human traditions to override divine commands. This reminds us that faithfulness requires constant vigilance. We must ensure that our personal habits or cultural norms do not quietly displace the clear instructions found in God’s Word. It is an invitation to examine where we might be overstepping what God has established.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the seriousness of obedience. It calls us to respect the limits God has set for our good. By staying within these boundaries, we honor His wisdom and maintain a clear path in our walk with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- break2×
- turned aside1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρέβη1×
- παραβαίνουσιν1×
- παραβαίνετε1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:3
He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?
Jesus directly accuses the religious leaders of disobeying God's commandment by prioritizing their own tradition, illustrating how human rules can become a barrier to divine obedience.
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Acts 1:25
to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”
This verse describes Judas falling away from his assigned ministry, using the term to signify a deliberate departure from the trust and position given to him by the apostles.
-
Matthew 15:2
“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
The disciples are questioned for not following the elders' tradition of hand washing, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on the conflict between human custom and God's law.