Lexical Summary deute: "Come," "Come here," "Come now" Original Word: δεῦτε Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come, follow. From deuro and an imperative form of eimi (to go); come hither! -- come, X follow. see GREEK deuro NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of deuro Definition come! NASB Translation come (9), come away (1), follow* (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1205: δεῦτεδεῦτε, adverb, used when two or more are addressed (cf. Buttmann, 70 (61)); perhaps from δευῥ ἰτε (yet see Alexander Buttmann (1873) Gram. 21te Aufl. § 115 Anm. 8), see δεῦρο, 1; 1. from Homer down, come hither, come here, come: followed by an imperative, δεῦτε, κληρονομήσατε, Matthew 25:34; δεῦτε, ἴδετε, Matthew 28:6; John 4:29; δεῦτε, ἀριστήσατε, John 21:12; δεῦτε, συνάχθητε (Rec. δεῦτε καί συνάγεσθε), Revelation 19:17. δεῦτε ἀπίσω μου come after me, be my disciples: Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17 (equivalent to אַחֲרַי לְכוּ, 2 Kings 6:19); δεῦτε εἰς τούς γάμους, Matthew 22:4; εἰς ἔρημον τόπον, Mark 6:31; δεῦτε πρός με, Matthew 11:28. 2. It gets the force of an interjection, "Come! Come now!" followed by a hortatory subjunctive: δεῦτε, ἀποκτείνωμεν, Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7 and R G in Luke 20:14. (the Sept. mostly for לְכוּ, sometimes for בֹּאוּ.) δεῦτε carries the force of a warm but urgent imperative: “come,” “come here,” or “come now.” It functions as a summons that demands personal response, never mere observation. Distribution in the New Testament Twelve occurrences appear in the Greek New Testament, all in vocative or imperative contexts. Eleven are on Jesus’ lips or in parables He tells; one issues from a mighty angel in Revelation. The word therefore frames both the earthly ministry of Christ and the consummation of God’s redemptive plan. Call to Discipleship (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17) At the Sea of Galilee Jesus says, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). δεῦτε functions as the gateway to apprenticeship. The authority of Jesus’ call overrules occupation, family ties, and personal plans. The same form reappears in Mark 1:17, reinforcing that discipleship begins with a decisive step toward Christ. Invitation to Rest and Refreshment (Matthew 11:28; Mark 6:31) “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Here δεῦτε invites the exhausted soul to exchange toil for divine rest. In Mark 6:31, after the Twelve return from ministry, Jesus says, “Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while.” The word frames rest not as idleness but as communion with the Lord. Kingdom Banquet and Inheritance (Matthew 22:4; Matthew 25:34) In the parable of the wedding feast the king announces, “Come to the wedding banquet” (Matthew 22:4). Refusal exposes rebels against gracious invitation. In the judgment scene Jesus, now King, declares, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). δεῦτε therefore signals both privilege and final reward for the righteous. Warning within Parabolic Speech (Matthew 21:38; Mark 12:7) When the tenant farmers conspire, they say, “Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.” In these dark uses, δεῦτε becomes a rallying cry of rebellion, underscoring human depravity that plots against the Son. Resurrection Verification (Matthew 28:6) At the empty tomb the angel tells the women, “Come, see the place where He lay.” The imperative invites eyewitness validation of resurrection reality, transforming fear into proclamation. Witness and Evangelism (John 4:29) The Samaritan woman runs to her townspeople: “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” δεῦτε becomes the spark of spontaneous evangelism, moving hearers from curiosity to belief. Fellowship and Provision (John 21:12) Post-resurrection, Jesus on the shore says, “Come, have breakfast.” The summons blends divine majesty with homely fellowship, illustrating that resurrection life includes shared meals and restored relationships. Eschatological Gathering (Revelation 19:17) An angel cries “Come, gather together for the great supper of God.” Here δεῦτε assembles carrion birds to a feast of judgment upon the wicked. The same verb that called disciples now summons agents of divine retribution, highlighting the comprehensive sovereignty of God’s word. Theological Significance 1. Personal Encounter: δεῦτε always directs hearers toward a person or decisive act, stressing that faith is relational and active. Implications for Ministry • Proclamation should echo Christ’s “Come,” inviting sinners to repentance and believers to deeper fellowship. Historical and Cultural Note In first-century Mediterranean society, the imperative “come” could initiate formal apprenticeship, hospitality, or conspiracy. The New Testament employs this common summons to reveal the extraordinary authority of Jesus: fishermen drop nets, weary souls find Sabbath, conspirators fulfill prophecy, and an empty tomb is verified. By the end of Scripture, the same command enforces eschatological justice, demonstrating that every level of human experience ultimately answers to the voice that says, “Come.” Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:19 V-M-2PGRK: λέγει αὐτοῖς Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου NAS: And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make KJV: he saith unto them, Follow me, and INT: he says to them Come follow after me Matthew 11:28 V-M-2P Matthew 21:38 V-M-2P Matthew 22:4 V-M-2P Matthew 25:34 V-M-2P Matthew 28:6 V-M-2P Mark 1:17 V-M-2P Mark 6:31 V-M-2P Mark 12:7 V-M-2P John 4:29 V-M-2P John 21:12 V-M-2P Revelation 19:17 V-M-2P |
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