Lexical Summary geitón: Neighbor Original Word: γείτων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance neighbor. From ge; a neighbour (as adjoining one's ground); by implication, a friend -- neighbour. see GREEK ge NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gé Definition a neighbor NASB Translation neighbors (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1069: γείτωνγείτων, γείτονος, ὁ, ἡ (from γῆ, hence, originally 'of the same land,' of. Curtius, § 132) from Homer down, a neighbor: Luke 14:12; Luke 15:6, 9; John 9:8. Topical Lexicon Overview Rendering as “neighbor,” γείτων depicts someone who lives in close proximity, sharing ordinary life in the same village, street, or courtyard. The word appears only four times in the Greek New Testament, all in Luke and John, each occurrence woven into accounts that spotlight hospitality, joy over the lost being found, and public testimony to Christ’s work. Occurrences and Narrative Settings • Luke 14:12 – Jesus contrasts worldly reciprocity with kingdom generosity: “When you host a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors…”. The “neighbor” here represents those we might naturally favor because of geographic and social closeness. Distinction from Other Greek Terms for Neighbor Whereas πλήσιος often carries the covenantal ethic of loving “your neighbor as yourself,” γείτων emphasizes sheer physical nearness. It highlights the people naturally gathered around daily life—those most likely to witness our conduct, receive our help, or observe the effects of Christ’s power. Cultural and Historical Background First-century dwellings were closely clustered. Shared courtyards, common walls, and narrow streets fostered an intentional interdependence. News spread quickly; hospitality norms were strong; celebration or scandal could ripple through the entire block by nightfall. Therefore, a neighbor’s opinion carried weight, and public acts of mercy or selfishness were difficult to hide. Theological Insights 1. Hospitality without calculation (Luke 14:12) – Jesus warns against limiting kindness to neighbors who can repay. Proximity must not become a pretext for selective generosity. Kingdom hospitality breaks reciprocity cycles and looks to heavenly reward. Old Testament Foreshadowing The Hebrew Scriptures often reference the “neighbor” (רֵעַ, שָֽׁכֵן) in property laws, justice, and love commands (for example, Leviticus 19:18). These passages anticipate New Testament fulfillment by establishing neighborly duty as an expression of covenant faithfulness. γείτων continues that thread by stressing the immediate community to which such laws applied. Practical Ministry Applications • Evangelism begins at the nearest doorstep. Those who observe daily faithfulness are positioned to see the reality of the gospel. Christological Emphasis Jesus Himself models incarnational nearness—“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” By living among people and engaging their everyday settings, He dignifies local relationships and sets the pattern for believers to embody grace in their own neighborhoods. Pastoral Reflection γείτων reminds the church that faithful presence matters. Spiritual fruit is designed to bless the people next door, not merely distant mission fields. When ordinary proximity is surrendered to Christ, dinners become ministry, households become outposts of joy, and transformed lives become undeniable evidence before watching neighbors. Forms and Transliterations γείτονα γειτονας γείτονας γειτονες γείτονες γείτονος γειτόνων γείτοσί γείτοσιν γείτων γειώραις γειώρας geitonas geítonas geitones geítonesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 14:12 N-AMPGRK: σου μηδὲ γείτονας πλουσίους μή NAS: rich neighbors, otherwise KJV: nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they INT: of you nor neighbors rich lest Luke 15:6 N-AMP Luke 15:9 N-AFP John 9:8 N-NMP Strong's Greek 1069 |
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