1975. epiporeuomai

Lexical Summary

epiporeuomai: To journey over, to travel upon

Original Word: ἐπιπορεύομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epiporeuomai
Pronunciation: eh-pee-po-reh'-o-my
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-por-yoo'-om-ahee)
KJV: come
NASB: journeying
Word Origin: [from G1909 (ἐπί - over) and G4198 (πορεύομαι - go)]

1. to journey further, i.e. travel on (reach)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

journey to

From epi and poreuomai; to journey further, i.e. Travel on (reach) -- come.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK poreuomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from epi and poreuomai
Definition
to travel
NASB Translation
journeying (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1975: ἐπιπορεύομαι

ἐπιπορεύομαι; to go or journey to: πρός τινα, Luke 8:4; (followed by ἐπί with the accusative Epistle Jer. (62); Polybius 4, 9, 2; frequently used by Polybius with the simple accusative of place: both to go to, traverse regions, cities (so τήν γῆν, Ezekiel 39:14 for עָבַר; τάς δυνάμεις, 3Macc. 1:4), and also to make a hostile inroad, overrun, march over).

Topical Lexicon

Canonical Occurrence

The verb ἐπιπορεύομαι appears a single time in the Greek New Testament, Luke 8:4, describing the action of crowds “coming to Jesus from town after town”. Though attested only once, the term captures a decisive moment in the public ministry of Jesus when popular interest, curiosity, and spiritual hunger converge on Him.

Literary Setting in Luke 8:4

Luke places the word immediately before the Parable of the Sower. The sequence is important. The gathered multitude illustrates in real time the very soils Jesus is about to describe: many approach Him, but their reception of His word will differ according to the condition of their hearts. The evangelist thus uses ἐπιπορεύομαι to picture:
• A large‐scale movement toward Christ.
• The urgency and momentum of the moment (“a large crowd was gathering”).
• The universal opportunity to hear the gospel before the sorting effect of the word is revealed in the parable itself.

Historical and Cultural Background

Galilee in the first century was dotted with small villages connected by walking paths. Traveling teachers often drew hearers, but Jesus’ teaching, healings, and authoritative presence generated far wider interest. Luke’s note that people were journeying “from town after town” indicates:
• A network of oral communication that spread news of Jesus rapidly.
• The willingness of ordinary people to interrupt daily labor to seek Him.
• The fulfillment of prophetic expectation that the Servant would be a light to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1–2).

Theological Significance of Collective Movement

1. Christ as Destination: Scripture repeatedly portrays God calling people to Himself (Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 55:1). In Luke 8:4 the crowds’ physical approach anticipates the spiritual invitation Jesus extends: “Come to Me, all you who are weary” (Matthew 11:28).
2. Gathering Motif: The verb participates in a larger biblical pattern in which God gathers a people (Deuteronomy 30:3–4; Ezekiel 36:24). Luke’s Gospel culminates this motif at Pentecost when many nations assemble and receive the Spirit (Acts 2:5–6).
3. Testing of Hearts: While external movement is positive, Luke’s narrative soon distinguishes between genuine disciples and casual hearers (Luke 8:18, 21). ἐπιπορεύομαι therefore underscores that nearness to Jesus in space must mature into obedience to His word.

Mission and Evangelism Implications

• Attractional Force of the Gospel: The singular use of ἐπιπορεύομαι reminds believers that Christ Himself, when rightly proclaimed, draws diverse audiences without gimmickry (John 12:32).
• Seed‐Sower Paradigm: Ministry environments often resemble Luke 8:4—crowds impressed by Christian witness. Yet faithful servants must follow Jesus’ pattern: sow the word clearly, knowing that lasting fruit depends on the soil prepared by the Spirit.
• Urban and Rural Reach: Luke notes multiple towns, suggesting the gospel’s capacity to bridge geographic and social boundaries. Church planting and evangelistic strategy should likewise anticipate cross‐community response.

Pastoral Reflections

1. Measuring Success: Numerical crowds, though encouraging, are not the final measure of ministry health. Luke 8:4 warns that some who come eagerly may later fall away.
2. Stewardship of Opportunity: Jesus, seeing the masses converge, immediately teaches. Shepherds today should seize providential moments of heightened interest with substantive proclamation rather than entertainment.
3. Encouragement in Labor: The verb’s picturing of steady streams toward Christ affirms that sowing and watering are not in vain; God continues to draw people in every generation.

Intertextual Resonances

• Joel 3:2 pictures nations “coming up” to the valley of decision, foreshadowing ultimate judgment. Luke’s gathering precedes a parable that itself divides hearers, hinting at eschatological sorting.
• Zechariah 8:21 envisions many peoples who will “go and seek the LORD.” Luke 8:4 records an initial fulfillment, anticipating the Gentile mission in Acts.

Practical Application for Believers

• Personal: Examine whether physical proximity to Christian activity translates into implanted, fruit‐bearing faith (James 1:22).
• Corporate: Pray that church gatherings mirror Luke 8:4 in attracting seekers, yet also mirror Luke 8:15 in cultivating persevering disciples.
• Missional: Expect God to assemble hearers beyond one’s immediate locale; invest in accessible teaching, hospitality, and follow‐up that respect varied spiritual soils.

Summary

The lone New Testament occurrence of ἐπιπορεύομαι in Luke 8:4 is more than a narrative detail. It presents a vivid tableau of seekers pressing toward Christ, highlights the moment’s evangelistic potency, and foreshadows the discerning power of the proclaimed word. For contemporary ministry, it encourages confidence that the Savior still gathers crowds and cautions that only properly tilled hearts will yield lasting harvest.

Forms and Transliterations

επιπορευόμενη επιπορευομένους επιπορευομενων επιπορευομένων ἐπιπορευομένων επιρραντισθή epiporeuomenon epiporeuomenōn epiporeuoménon epiporeuoménōn

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 8:4 V-PPM/P-GMP
GRK: κατὰ πόλιν ἐπιπορευομένων πρὸς αὐτὸν
NAS: cities were journeying to Him, He spoke
KJV: and were come to
INT: from each town were coming to him

Strong's Greek 1975
1 Occurrence

ἐπιπορευομένων — 1 Occ.