GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

πέραν (peran)

peran

other side

G4008 · Greek · New Testament · 23 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
23 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The Greek word peran simply means "on the other side" or "across." In the New Testament, it appears twenty-three times, almost exclusively in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John. It functions as an adverb or preposition to describe physical movement across a body of water, such as the Sea of Galilee or the Jordan River.

Its usage is highly concrete, always pointing to a specific location beyond a barrier. For instance, it marks Jesus’ journey to the region of the Gerasenes (Matthew 8:28) or his return to the western shore after feeding the five thousand (John 6:17). The sources note that it often carries the sense of crossing from one bank to another, emphasizing the distance traversed.

The term likely originates from an obsolete root related to piercing through, which explains its focus on the act of crossing over. Translators consistently render it as "the other side" or "beyond," preserving the spatial clarity that is central to these narrative accounts of Jesus’ ministry along the lakeshore.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word peran simply means "the other side." In the Gospels, it marks Jesus’ movement across the Sea of Galilee or beyond the Jordan River. This is not just geography; it shows His willingness to cross boundaries to reach people who were far away, whether they were Gentiles in Gerasa or crowds waiting on the western shore.

For your faith, this word reminds you that Jesus does not stay in one place. He moves toward those who need Him. When life feels like a wide sea with no clear path, remember that Christ has already crossed over to be with you. His presence is not limited by distance or barriers.

This concrete image of crossing water helps us trust His guidance. Whether you are facing a physical journey or an emotional one, He is the One who goes ahead to prepare the way. You can rest in the knowledge that He knows every shore and every heart.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • beyond8×
  • other side7×
  • other side.3×
  • over2×
  • on the other side2×
  • across1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • πέραν20×
  • πέραν.3×

Key Verses

  • Mark 4:35
    On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.”

    Jesus initiates this crossing to calm the storm, showing His authority over nature even when moving toward the other side.

  • Matthew 8:28
    When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way.

    This verse highlights how Jesus crosses over specifically to confront demonic oppression in Gentile territory, expanding His mission beyond Israel.

  • John 6:17
    They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.

    The disciples are alone in the boat on the other side during a storm, setting the stage for Jesus walking on water to meet them.

  • John 1:28
    These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

    This location identifies where John the Baptist was ministering, establishing the geographical context for Jesus' early ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does G4008 (peran) mean in the Bible?

It is a Greek adverb meaning "on the other side" or "across." It is used almost exclusively in the Gospels to describe physical movement across a body of water, such as the Sea of Galilee.

Why does Jesus keep going to the "other side"?

The Gospels show Jesus crossing over to reach different groups of people, including Gentiles and crowds on the western shore. This pattern emphasizes His mission to bring teaching and healing to those who were far away or on the margins.

Is there a spiritual meaning behind crossing to the other side?

While the text is primarily geographical, many Christians see it as a metaphor for Jesus entering into our difficult situations. He crosses the barrier of distance to bring peace and deliverance where we feel isolated or overwhelmed.

Every Occurrence (23 verses across 4 books)

Matthew 7 verses
Matthew 4:15

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

Matthew 4:25

Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 8:18

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

Matthew 8:28

When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there,…

Matthew 14:22

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the…

Matthew 16:5

The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.

Matthew 19:1

When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Mark 7 verses
Luke 1 verse
John 8 verses