Lexical Summary grégoreó: To watch, to be vigilant, to stay awake Original Word: γρηγορέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be vigilant, wake, be watchful. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch (literally or figuratively) -- be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful). see GREEK egeiro HELPS Word-studies 1127 grēgoreúō – literally, "stay awake"; (figuratively) be vigilant (responsible, watchful). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originformed from perf. of egeiró Definition to be awake, to watch NASB Translation alert (10), awake (1), keep (1), keep watch (4), keep watching (1), keeping alert (1), stay on the alert (1), stays awake (1), wake (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1127: γρηγορέωγρηγορέω, γρηγόρω; 1 aorist ἐγρηγόρησα; (from ἐγρήγορα, to have been roused from sleep, to be awake, perfect of ἐγείρω; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 118f; Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 158; (Winers Grammar, 26 (25); 92 (88))); to watch; 1. properly: Matthew 24:43; Matthew 26:38, 40; Mark 13:34; Mark 14:34, 37; Luke 12:37, 39 R G L Tr text WH text As to sleep is often equivalent to to die, so once, 1 Thessalonians 5:10, γρηγορέω means to live, be alive on earth. 2. Metaphorically, to watch i. e. give strict attention to, be cautious, active: — to take heed lest through remissness and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one, Matthew 24:42; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:35,(37); Revelation 16:15; or lest one be led to forsake Christ, Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; or lest one fall into sin, 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 3:2f; or be corrupted by errors, Acts 20:31; ἐν τίνι, to be watchful in, employ the most punctilious care in a thing: Colossians 4:2. (the Sept.; (Baruch 2:9; 1 Macc. 12:27; Aristotle, plant. 1, 2, p. 816b, 29, 37); Josephus, Antiquities 11, 3, 4; Achilles Tatius; others) (Synonym: see ἀγρυπνέω. Compare: διαγρηγορέω.) Strong’s Greek 1127 expresses an alert, wakeful attentiveness to unfolding events, whether physical or spiritual. In Scripture it consistently calls God’s people to stay awake, remain spiritually alive, and be on guard against danger or surprise. Occurrences and Literary Setting The verb appears twenty-three times, clustering in three main bodies of writing: 1. The Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus commands alertness in view of His imminent suffering and His future return (Matthew 24–26; Mark 13–14; Luke 12). Watchfulness in the Teaching of Jesus • Eschatological vigilance Matthew 24:42, 44 and Mark 13:33-37 place watchfulness at the heart of readiness for the Second Coming. Jesus likens His return to a master coming unexpectedly from a journey or to a thief in the night. The command is unequivocal: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42). • Moral alertness in Gethsemane Three times in the garden Jesus urges Peter, James, and John, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38). The failure of the disciples to stay awake dramatizes human frailty and underlines the need for divine help in persevering. Apostolic Application • Paul In Acts 20:31 Paul reminds the Ephesian elders, “Therefore be alert,” recalling three years of sleepless vigilance over the flock. To the Corinthians he commands, “Watch, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13). In Thessalonica he contrasts wakefulness with drunken night-sleep: believers are “sons of the day” who are to stay sober and attentive (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 10). • Peter Peter lifts the vineyard imagery of sobriety and vigilance into cosmic spiritual warfare: “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). • Colossians Prayer and thankfulness flourish in an atmosphere of watchfulness: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2). The believer must refuse spiritual drowsiness in order to discern God’s answers and opportunities. Watchfulness in Revelation The verb frames the exhortations to Sardis and the closing beatitude of the book. • Sardis warned “Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die.” (Revelation 3:2). The church’s reputation for life masks its true spiritual lethargy; only vigilant repentance can avert sudden judgment. • Final blessing “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk naked and people will not see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15). The imagery recalls priestly garments and public shame, urging continual preparedness. Historical Background First-century urban life depended on night watchmen who guarded city gates and private estates. Their task was heightened during festivals and military tensions. Scripture draws on this familiar role to illustrate spiritual sentry duty: believers stand guard over their own hearts, the church, and the world’s unfolding story. Theological Themes • Imminence of Christ’s appearing Watchfulness presupposes that the Lord may intervene at any moment, keeping the church in a posture of expectancy. • Dependence on prayer Every gospel instance pairs watching with praying, indicating that alertness is sustained through communion with God. • Resistance to temptation and evil Alertness exposes subtle inroads of sin and demonic assault, enabling timely resistance (1 Peter 5:8). • Corporate responsibility Pastors, elders, and the entire assembly share a communal duty to watch over one another (Acts 20:31; Hebrews 13:17 uses a cognate noun). Practical Ministry Significance 1. Personal devotion: schedule deliberate times of “watch-prayer” to review one’s day, discerning threats and opportunities. Warnings Against Sloth The failures of the antediluvian world, the complacent servant in Luke 12:45-46, and the drowsy bridesmaids of Matthew 25:1-13 all reveal the tragic cost of neglect. Spiritual sleep forfeits blessing, invites judgment, and dishonors the Master. Promise of Reward The Scriptures tie watchfulness to blessing: readiness gains commendation at Christ’s appearing (Luke 12:37), spiritual security in hostile times (1 Thessalonians 5:4), and eternal fellowship with the victorious Lamb (Revelation 16:15). Summary Strong’s 1127 calls every generation of believers to maintain a keen, prayer-saturated alertness toward God’s purposes, human weakness, and the prowling enemy. By heeding this recurring command, the church lives in light of Christ’s finished work, walks in present obedience, and anticipates the sudden, triumphant return of her Lord. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 24:42 V-PMA-2PGRK: γρηγορεῖτε οὖν ὅτι NAS: Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know KJV: Watch therefore: for INT: Keep watch therefore for Matthew 24:43 V-AIA-3S Matthew 25:13 V-PMA-2P Matthew 26:38 V-PMA-2P Matthew 26:40 V-ANA Matthew 26:41 V-PMA-2P Mark 13:34 V-PSA-3S Mark 13:35 V-PMA-2P Mark 13:37 V-PMA-2P Mark 14:34 V-PMA-2P Mark 14:37 V-ANA Mark 14:38 V-PMA-2P Luke 12:37 V-PPA-AMP Luke 12:39 V-AIA-3S Acts 20:31 V-PMA-2P 1 Corinthians 16:13 V-PMA-2P Colossians 4:2 V-PPA-NMP 1 Thessalonians 5:6 V-PSA-1P 1 Thessalonians 5:10 V-PSA-1P 1 Peter 5:8 V-AMA-2P Revelation 3:2 V-PPA-NMS Revelation 3:3 V-ASA-2S Revelation 16:15 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 1127 |
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