συνετός (sunetos)
sunetos
intelligent
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective sunetos describes a person who is intelligent, discerning, or practical in their understanding. Derived from a root meaning "to perceive together," it suggests a mind that grasps connections and applies knowledge with wisdom rather than mere intellectual accumulation. In the New Testament, this term highlights those who possess the capacity to understand divine truths.
Its usage carries significant theological weight, particularly in passages where Jesus praises God for hiding truth from the "wise" (sunetoi) while revealing it to children (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). Here, the word contrasts human intellectual pride with childlike receptivity. It also appears in Acts 13:7 describing Sergius Paulus as a prudent man, and in 1 Corinthians 1:19 where Paul quotes Isaiah regarding the destruction of the wisdom of the wise.
Translators often render sunetos as "wise" or "understanding," though it differs from sophos, which emphasizes philosophical learning. Sunetos focuses on the ability to perceive reality accurately and act accordingly. The sources note its Old Testament background, where it translates Hebrew terms for discernment, reinforcing its association with practical insight and moral clarity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunetos points to a mind that sees clearly and connects the dots, not just in academic study but in daily life. It describes someone who grasps reality as it is and responds with practical wisdom. This kind of understanding goes beyond raw intelligence; it involves the heart’s willingness to receive truth.
Jesus used this term to highlight a beautiful reversal: God often reveals deep spiritual truths to those who approach Him with childlike trust, while those relying solely on their own intellectual pride may find themselves missing what matters most. Sergius Paulus in Acts shows us that seeking God with an open, discerning heart leads to encountering His word.
For your faith journey, this means you do not need to have all the answers or possess a high degree of education to understand God. He invites you to come with a humble, receptive heart. When you seek Him with sincerity, He grants the clarity and insight needed to walk in His ways.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- intelligent2×
- learned1×
- an intelligent.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνετῶν3×
- συνετῷ.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 11:25
At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
Jesus contrasts human intellectual pride with childlike receptivity, showing that divine truth is revealed to those who approach God with humility rather than self-sufficiency.
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Acts 13:7
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
Sergius Paulus is described as a man of understanding who actively seeks to hear God’s word, demonstrating that discernment leads to spiritual engagement.
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I Corinthians 1:19
For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
Paul quotes Isaiah to show that God’s wisdom overturns human standards, rendering empty the prideful confidence of those who trust in their own discernment.