προσκεφάλαιον (proskephalaion)
proskephalaion
cushion
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun proskephalaion refers to a small pillow or cushion used for resting one’s head. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Mark 4:38, where the disciples find Jesus asleep in the stern of the boat during a violent storm.
The word is a compound form, combining a prefix meaning "toward" with the root for "head," literally describing something placed under the head. This specific detail highlights the physical reality of Jesus’ exhaustion and humanity. The presence of a cushion suggests a prepared resting place, underscoring that his sleep was genuine and deep despite the chaotic surroundings.
Translators typically render this word simply as "pillow." Its singular occurrence emphasizes the immediacy of the scene: while the disciples panic over the waves, Jesus rests peacefully, demonstrating a trust in God that contrasts sharply with their fear. The object itself serves as a tangible marker of his human fatigue and divine composure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word προσκεφάλαιον describes a small pillow or cushion placed under the head for rest. In Mark 4:38, it marks the spot where Jesus slept in the stern of a boat during a violent storm. This simple detail grounds the story in physical reality, showing that Jesus experienced human exhaustion just as we do.
Seeing Him asleep on a cushion reminds us that God is not distant from our weariness. He knows what it means to be tired and to need rest. When life feels chaotic around you, this image offers comfort: your Savior understands fatigue and finds peace even in the midst of trouble.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- cushion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσκεφάλαιον1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 4:38
He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and asked him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?”
The term identifies the specific object under Jesus' head, confirming that His sleep was deep and genuine despite the surrounding storm.