παρακαθίζω (parakathizō)
parakathizō
to sit by
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parakathizō describes the simple, physical act of sitting down beside someone. Formed from the prefix para, meaning "beside," and kathizo, meaning "to sit," it paints a picture of proximity and shared space rather than abstract interaction. In Scripture, this word appears only once, in Luke 10:39.
Here, Mary chooses to parakathizō at the feet of Jesus while her sister Martha works. The choice highlights a posture of attentive presence. By sitting close to the teacher, Mary aligns herself with his instruction, treating his words as worthy of undivided attention. The term captures the intimacy of learning from a rabbi in that cultural context.
Translators typically render this action as "sat at the feet of," emphasizing the student-teacher relationship. This specific usage distinguishes Mary’s quiet receptivity from Martha’s active service, framing discipleship not just as doing, but as being present with the source of truth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parakathizō simply means to sit beside someone. It describes a physical act of drawing near and settling into shared space. In Luke 10:39, Mary uses this posture to show she is ready to listen. She does not rush to help with tasks but chooses to stay close to Jesus.
This simple image reminds us that discipleship begins with presence. We often feel pressured to be busy or productive, yet God invites us to pause and rest in His company. Sitting at His feet means valuing His voice above our own efforts. It is a quiet act of trust that He will provide what we need.
When life feels overwhelming, you can find peace by simply sitting with Him. You do not need to have all the answers or fix every problem immediately. Allowing yourself to be still and listen creates room for His guidance. This gentle posture opens your heart to receive truth and comfort in a noisy world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having sat down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρακαθεσθεῖσα1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
This verse shows Mary choosing proximity to Jesus over activity, highlighting that listening is a primary form of discipleship.