συντίθημι (suntithēmi)
suntithēmi
to agree
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb suntithēmi literally means to put things together, but in Scripture it describes people coming to a mutual understanding or making an agreement. It appears only three times in the New Testament, carrying the weight of a formal arrangement or shared resolution.
In Luke 22:5, the chief priests and scribes "agreed" (suntithēmen) with Judas to pay him for betraying Jesus. This usage highlights a deliberate, calculated pact rather than a casual conversation. Similarly, in Acts 23:20, Paul’s nephew reports that more than forty men have "bound themselves under an oath" not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul. Here the word underscores the seriousness and binding nature of their collective decision.
The term also appears in John 9:22, where the parents of the healed blind man express fear that if they acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, they might be "put out of the synagogue." While the translation varies slightly, the underlying sense is their agreement or consensus to avoid conflict with the religious authorities. In each instance, suntithēmi points to a conscious alignment of wills, whether for justice or for survival.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word suntithēmi describes a conscious alignment of wills, whether for justice or survival. In Luke 22:5, the chief priests and scribes agreed to give Judas money for betraying Jesus. This was not a casual conversation but a calculated pact. The term highlights the weight of formal arrangements in Scripture.
Similarly, Acts 23:20 shows Paul’s nephew reporting that forty men bound themselves under an oath to kill Paul. Their agreement was serious and binding. Even in John 9:22, the parents of the healed blind man feared being put out of the synagogue if they confessed Jesus as Christ. Their silence stemmed from a consensus to avoid conflict.
These examples remind us that agreements carry moral weight. Whether for good or ill, aligning with others requires intentionality. We are called to ensure our commitments reflect truth and love, not fear or self-interest. May your own agreements be rooted in faithfulness to God and care for others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they agreed1×
- have agreed1×
- had agreed together1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνέθεντο2×
- συνετέθειντο1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 22:5
They were glad, and agreed to give him money.
The chief priests and scribes agreed to pay Judas, showing a deliberate pact rather than a casual decision.
-
Acts 23:20
He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
Paul’s nephew reports that forty men bound themselves under an oath, highlighting the seriousness of their collective resolve.
-
John 9:22
His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.
The parents of the healed blind man feared being put out of the synagogue if they confessed Jesus as Christ, revealing a consensus driven by fear.