συμβαίνω (sumbainō)
sumbainō
to happen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sumbainō describes events coming to pass or happening, often with a sense of things occurring together or in conjunction. Its literal roots refer to walking with feet close together, which evolves into the idea of coming together to meet or reach an agreement. In Scripture, it is frequently used to describe specific incidents or circumstances that unfold, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels.
Translators typically render this word as "happen" or "come to pass," though it can also imply a result turning out in a certain way. For instance, Luke uses it to describe how events unfolded for the early church (Acts 21:35), while Peter employs it to speak of trials befalling believers (1 Peter 4:12). The word often takes a dative of person, indicating who is experiencing the event, such as when something happens to someone specifically.
This term carries theological weight by framing history not as random chaos but as a sequence of events that come together. It appears in contexts ranging from casual occurrences to significant divine actions, suggesting that what happens is part of a larger convergence. By focusing on the "coming together" aspect, it highlights how individual moments connect to form a coherent narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word συμβαίνω (sumbainō) carries a sense of events coming together or unfolding in conjunction. It suggests that what happens is not random chaos, but part of a larger convergence. When we read that something 'happened' to Jesus or the early believers, it points to specific incidents where divine purposes were being woven into human history.
This word offers comfort by framing our experiences within God's sovereign plan. Whether it is a trial or a moment of amazement, these events are recorded for our instruction. They show us that even difficult circumstances can serve as examples, helping us understand how faith operates in real life. The narrative of Scripture is coherent because every event has its place.
Reflecting on this word invites us to see our own lives as part of a meaningful story. We are not left to interpret random occurrences; instead, we can trust that God is present in the unfolding of events. This perspective helps us navigate uncertainty with hope, knowing that what happens to us is significant and purposeful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were happening;1×
- were happening1×
- to happen1×
- it was happening1×
- it happened that1×
- having taken place1×
- having happened1×
- Has happened1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνέβη1×
- συνέβαινεν1×
- συμβέβηκεν1×
- συμβάντων1×
- συμβεβηκότων1×
- συμβεβηκότι1×
- συμβαίνοντος·1×
- συμβαίνειν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 10:32
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
Jesus uses this word to describe the specific events of his suffering in Jerusalem, showing that his death was a foreknown part of God's plan.
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Acts 20:19
serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
Paul mentions trials that happened to him by Jewish plots, illustrating how personal hardships are recorded as part of faithful service.
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I Peter 4:12
Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
Peter warns believers not to view fiery trials as strange occurrences, but as expected events in the Christian journey.