προσκυλίω (proskuliō)
proskuliō
to roll before
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proskuliō describes the physical act of rolling a heavy stone into place. It combines the prefix pros, meaning "to" or "toward," with kulio, which relates to rolling or turning. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the passion narratives describing the burial of Jesus.
Matthew 27:60 and Mark 15:46 use this term to detail how Joseph of Arimathea rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. The specific imagery conveys the weight and effort involved in sealing the grave, providing a concrete sense of finality to Jesus’ death before the resurrection account begins.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word proskuliō paints a vivid picture of physical effort and finality. It describes the heavy, deliberate act of rolling a large stone to seal a tomb. In the Gospels, this action marks the end of Jesus’ earthly life and the beginning of His burial. The weight of the stone underscores the reality of death, making the subsequent resurrection all the more powerful.
For your faith, this detail reminds us that God entered fully into human mortality. Joseph of Arimathea’s labor was real, and the seal was firm. Yet, no stone is too heavy for God’s power. This word invites you to trust that even in the deepest moments of closure or grief, God is at work behind the scenes, preparing a new beginning.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he rolled1×
- having rolled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσκυλίσας1×
- προσεκύλισεν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:60
and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
This verse highlights Joseph’s personal involvement and the finality of sealing Jesus’ body in his own new tomb.
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Mark 15:46
He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
Mark emphasizes the physical act of rolling the stone, reinforcing the reality of Jesus’ death before the resurrection.