παρέρχομαι (parerchomai)

The Greek verb parerchomai primarily means to pass by or go past, describing physical movement as well as the passage of time. In the Gospels, it appears when Jesus walks on water and passes his disciples (Mark 6:48), or when a blind man calls out as people move past him (Luke 18:37). The word captures the simple act of moving alongside or beyond something without stopping.

Its meaning extends into metaphorical territory, particularly regarding permanence. Jesus uses it to assure listeners that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will not (Matthew 24:35). It also describes things fading from memory or existence, such as the old order becoming new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In these contexts, the word emphasizes transience and the eventual disappearance of temporal realities.

Less commonly, parerchomai carries the sense of neglect or overlooking. In Luke 11:42, Jesus criticizes those who tithe mint and rue but pass by justice and the love of God. Here, the physical action of walking past becomes a spiritual failure to attend to what matters most. The word thus bridges the gap between simple motion and moral indifference.