συλλέγω (sullegō)

The verb sullegō means to gather up or collect things into a single place. In the New Testament, it describes the physical act of bringing together scattered items, such as weeds from a field or fish from a net. The sources note its frequent use in Matthew and Luke, particularly within Jesus’ parables where it illustrates how different groups are sorted at the end of an age.

Its meaning comes from combining the prefix syn- ("together") with legō ("to gather"). This distinguishes it from simply picking something up; it implies a purposeful collection for a specific outcome. For example, in Matthew 13:40, the Son of Man sends angels to collect weeds specifically so they can be burned, highlighting that this gathering is an act of separation and judgment rather than mere harvesting.

Translators usually render sullegō as "gather" or "collect." The word appears eight times in Scripture, often paired with prepositions like ek ("out of") to show where the items are coming from. This usage emphasizes that what is gathered is distinct from what remains behind, a key detail in how Jesus describes the final separation of the righteous and the wicked.