συγκαταβαίνω (sugkatabainō)
sugkatabainō
to descend with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sugkatabainō literally means to go down together, describing a physical descent from one place to another. It combines the prefix syn ("with") and kata ("down") with bainō ("to go"). In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 25:5, where Paul invites his accusers to travel with him from Jerusalem to Caesarea. This usage is straightforward and geographical, marking a shared journey downward in elevation.
While the word is rare in Scripture, its root components suggest a broader sense of condescension or coming down to another’s level. Later Greek writers used it metaphorically to describe divine humility, though this figurative meaning is not present in the single biblical occurrence. Translators typically render it simply as "come down with" or "go down with," preserving the concrete action without importing later theological nuances.
Its scarcity in the New Testament highlights how specific it remains: a simple description of companionship during travel. Unlike words that carry heavy doctrinal weight, sugkatabainō serves as a precise marker of movement and association, grounding the narrative in the physical reality of Paul’s legal proceedings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sugkatabainō appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 25:5. Paul uses it to invite his accusers to travel down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with him. This simple call for companionship during a journey highlights a practical truth about how we handle conflict and justice.
When faced with difficult situations or unfair accusations, seeking fair witnesses and shared processes can bring clarity. It reminds us that walking through challenges together often leads to better outcomes than facing them alone. This small detail in Paul’s story shows the value of transparency and mutual involvement in resolving disputes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having gone down too,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συγκαταβάντες,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 25:5
“Let them therefore”, he said, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
This verse marks the only New Testament occurrence, where Paul invites his accusers to accompany him on a journey downward to ensure a fair hearing.