συγκάθημαι (sugkathēmai)
sugkathēmai
to sit with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sugkathēmai literally means to sit together or to sit with someone. It is a compound word formed from the prefix sun, meaning "with," and kathēmai, meaning "to sit." This simple action carries significant narrative weight in the New Testament, often marking moments of shared presence or solidarity.
Although it appears only twice in the Greek text, its usage is striking. In Mark 14:54, Peter sits with the servants and guards in the courtyard of the high priest, a scene that highlights his isolation from Jesus even as he claims loyalty. Later, in Acts 26:30, King Agrippa rises from his seat alongside other dignitaries after hearing Paul’s defense, illustrating a formal gathering of authority figures.
The word emphasizes physical proximity and shared space rather than deep emotional connection. Translators typically render it simply as "sat with" or "sat together," preserving the straightforward nature of the action without adding interpretive layers. Its rarity in Scripture makes each occurrence stand out, drawing attention to the specific social dynamics at play.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sugkathēmai simply means to sit with someone. It describes a physical act of sharing space, often in moments that reveal our true allegiances. In Mark 14:54, Peter sits with the guards in the high priest’s courtyard. He is physically close to Jesus’ enemies, warming himself by their fire while his heart drifts from his Lord. This scene reminds us that proximity does not always equal loyalty. We can be in the same room as Christ and yet sit with those who oppose Him.
Yet this word also points to community. In Acts 26:30, King Agrippa sits with others to hear Paul’s defense. Here, shared space becomes a place for truth to be heard. God often uses ordinary moments of sitting together to bring about significant outcomes. Whether in failure or in hearing the gospel, being present matters.
You do not need to perform perfectly to draw near to God. He meets you in your honesty, even when you feel distant. Let this word encourage you to examine where you choose to sit and who you keep company with, trusting that Christ welcomes you wherever you are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sitting with1×
- sitting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συγκαθήμενος1×
- συγκαθήμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 14:54
Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
This occurrence highlights Peter's physical proximity to Jesus' enemies, revealing the gap between his presence and his loyalty.
-
Acts 26:30
The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.
Here the word marks a formal gathering of authority figures who pause to listen to Paul’s defense of the faith.