παρακαλέω (parakaleō)
parakaleō
to plead/comfort
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 104 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parakaleō describes calling someone to one’s side for the purpose of speaking with them. Its meaning shifts depending on the situation: it can mean summoning a person, begging or entreaty, or offering encouragement and comfort. In the New Testament, this single word covers a wide range of human interaction, from urgent pleas to gentle exhortation.
Jesus uses this term when he asks his Father for help in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:53), illustrating its sense of earnest entreaty. Paul frequently employs it to urge believers toward specific actions or attitudes, such as calling the Philippians to unity (Philippians 4:2) or encouraging the Thessalonians in their faith (1 Thessalonians 4:1). The word captures both the act of reaching out and the content of the message.
Etymologically, it combines para ("beside") and kaleō ("to call"), literally meaning "to call alongside." This imagery suggests presence and support. In secular Greek papyri, it often appears in polite requests, while in Scripture it carries significant theological weight, describing how God comforts believers (2 Corinthians 1:4) and how Christians are to build one another up.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word parakaleō carries a rich sense of presence, literally meaning to call someone to your side. It bridges the gap between urgent pleading and gentle encouragement. In our daily lives, this duality reminds us that God meets us in both our desperate needs and our quiet moments of reflection. He does not just send help from afar; He draws near to speak with us.
When we look at Jesus’ interactions, we see this word in action. Whether it is a demon begging for release or a grieving mother pleading for her child, the call is one of deep engagement. For believers, this means our prayers are heard and our comfort is real. We are invited to extend that same presence to others, offering support that acknowledges their pain while pointing toward hope.
This word invites us to be present with those who mourn or struggle. It challenges us to move beyond simple sympathy into active companionship. By calling alongside others, we reflect the character of a God who comforts us so that we might comfort those in any kind of trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4). Let this truth encourage you to offer your time and attention as a gift to those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 104 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I exhort14×
- were begging4×
- they were begging4×
- exhorting4×
- he was begging3×
- do encourage3×
- we exhort2×
- was begging2×
- to encourage2×
- they implore2×
- they begged2×
- imploring2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρακαλῶ10×
- παρακαλῶν9×
- Παρακαλῶ9×
- παρεκάλουν8×
- παρεκάλει8×
- παρεκάλεσαν6×
- παρακαλέσαι5×
- παρεκάλεσα4×
- παρακάλει3×
- παρακαλοῦμεν3×
- παρακαλεῖτε3×
- παρακαλεῖν3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
This beatitude promises divine comfort to those who mourn, showing the word’s role in bringing hope to grief.
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Luke 16:25
“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted and you are in anguish.
Abraham uses this term to describe Lazarus being comforted in the afterlife, highlighting its eschatological significance.
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Mark 5:23
and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
Jairus begs Jesus with urgency, illustrating the word’s use in desperate pleas for intervention.
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Luke 15:28
But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
The father begs the angry son, demonstrating the word’s application in relational reconciliation and patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does parakaleō mean in English?
How is this word different from other Greek words for comfort?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (104 verses across 19 books)
Matthew 9 verses
“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be…
Matthew 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 8:5When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him for help,
Matthew 8:31The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”
Matthew 8:34Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
Matthew 14:36and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
Matthew 18:29“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
Matthew 18:32Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Matthew 26:53Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?