Lexical Summary diabainó: To cross over, to pass through, to go across Original Word: διαβαίνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come over, pass through. From dia and the base of basis; to cross -- come over, pass (through). see GREEK dia see GREEK basis NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and the same as basis Definition to step across NASB Translation come over (2), passed through (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1224: διαβαίνωδιαβαίνω: 2 aorist διέβην, infinitive διαβῆναι, participle διαβάς; as in Greek writings from Homer down; (Pliny,pertranseo); to pass through, cross over; a. transitively: τήν θάλασσαν ὡς διά ξηρᾶς, Hebrews 11:29. b. intransitive: πρός τινα, Luke 16:26; εἰς with the accusative of place, Acts 16:9; (for עָבַר, 1 Samuel 13:7). Strong’s Greek 1224 portrays decisive movement from one side to another—whether a body of water, a geographic border, or an impassable gulf. In every New Testament setting the verb highlights a moment when the living God makes clear the possibility, the impossibility, or the necessity of “crossing over.” Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Acts 16:9 Paul’s Macedonian vision comes with the plea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” The verb sets the pivotal turning point in Acts when the gospel first advances from Asia into Europe. The Spirit-initiated “crossing” illustrates God’s sovereignty in directing missionary strategy and opening new fields of harvest. 2. Luke 16:26 In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Abraham says, “a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish to cross over from here to you cannot.” Here the same verb underscores finality: once earthly life is finished, the boundary between the righteous and the unrighteous cannot be traversed. The contrast with Acts 16:9 is striking—on earth, the gospel invites crossing; after death, no crossing remains. “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land.” The writer recalls Israel’s exodus, presenting the Red Sea crossing as the quintessential act of collective faith. The verb celebrates God’s power to open a path where none exists, vindicating faith and judging unbelief (“when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned”). Old Testament and Septuagint Background The Septuagint frequently uses this verb family for decisive redemptive moments: Israel stepping into the Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17), Jacob returning across the Jabbok (Genesis 32:22), and David escaping over the Brook Kidron (2 Samuel 15:23). Each scene combines danger, divine promise, and forward movement, preparing the way for the theological weight carried in the New Testament. Theological Themes • Divine Initiative: God opens or closes the possibility of passage. He calls Paul across the Aegean, parts the Red Sea, and sets an uncrossable gulf in eternity. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Mission Strategy Acts 16 shapes Christian missions: prayerful dependence, readiness to alter plans, and confidence that God directs geographical moves for gospel advance. 2. Evangelistic Urgency Luke 16 presses preachers and hearers alike: while the gospel still invites passage, proclaim it; receive it. Post-mortem evangelism finds no footing in Scripture. 3. Corporate Faith Formation Hebrews 11:29 encourages congregations facing opposition. The Red Sea narrative becomes a template for trusting God amid insurmountable obstacles—whether cultural hostility, limited resources, or personal trials. 4. Pastoral Counseling The contrast between the movable and the immovable boundaries offers comfort and warning. For the believer, no sea is too wide when God commands advance. For the unrepentant, delay is perilous, for some doors shut forever. Practical Application • Pray and plan with expectancy that God still calls His people to “cross over” into unreached places—geographic, cultural, or relational. Key Related References Exodus 14:21-31; Joshua 3:14-17; Psalm 114:3-5; 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 21:27. Englishman's Concordance Luke 16:26 V-ANAGRK: οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς NAS: who wish to come over from here KJV: they which would pass from hence INT: they who desire to pass from here to Acts 16:9 V-APA-NMS Hebrews 11:29 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 1224 |
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