συναναβαίνω (sunanabainō)
sunanabainō
to ascend with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunanabainō means to go up together or ascend alongside someone else. It combines the prefix syn, indicating accompaniment, with anabaino, which denotes upward movement. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both times describing physical ascent rather than metaphorical elevation.
In Mark 15:41, it describes women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and were present at the crucifixion, having come up with Him during His journey to Jerusalem. Acts 13:31 uses the term to note that Paul’s witnesses in Damascus had accompanied Him up to that city after His resurrection. The sources highlight its use with a dative of person, emphasizing shared direction and presence during travel.
This rare verb underscores the tangible reality of companionship in Scripture. Unlike abstract terms for spiritual unity, sunanabainō captures literal movement together toward a destination. Its brevity in the text reflects how ordinary such shared journeys were for early followers, yet how significant they remained in witness and testimony.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunanabainō paints a simple but powerful picture of walking together. It describes people moving upward or forward alongside someone else, sharing the same path and destination. In Mark 15:41, we see women who had come up with Jesus to Jerusalem, standing by Him even in His darkest hour. This shows that faith is often lived out in shared presence, not just private belief.
In Acts 13:31, the same word reminds us that Paul’s early witnesses were those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Their testimony was grounded in real companionship and shared experience. When we follow Christ, we are never alone; He walks with us, and He calls others to walk alongside us too.
This rare verb highlights the beauty of Christian community. It is not about grand gestures but steady companionship on the journey. Whether facing hardship or bearing witness, we find strength in those who travel with us. May you appreciate the gift of shared faith and the peace that comes from knowing you are never walking alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having come up with1×
- having come up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συναναβᾶσιν1×
- συναναβᾶσαι1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 15:41
who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
This verse shows women who had come up with Jesus to Jerusalem, highlighting their physical presence with Him during His final journey.
-
Acts 13:31
and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
Here the word identifies Paul’s witnesses as those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, grounding their testimony in shared experience.