Lexical Summary episunagó: To gather together, to assemble Original Word: ἐπισυναγωγή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gather together. From epi and sunago; to collect upon the same place -- gather (together). see GREEK epi see GREEK sunago HELPS Word-studies 1996 episynágō (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" and 4863 /synágō, "gather together") – properly, bring together (gather), i.e. group together (collect), especially to accomplish the intended purpose of the gathering. (Note the force of the prefix, 1909 /epí.) NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and sunagó Definition to gather together NASB Translation gather...together (2), gather together (2), gathered (2), gathered together (1), gathers (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1996: ἐπισυνάγωἐπισυνάγω; future ἐπισυνάξω; 1 aorist infinitive ἐπισυνάξαι; 2 aorist infinitive ἐπισυναγαγεῖν; passive, perfect participle ἐπισυνηγμενος; 1 aorist participle ἐπισυναχθεις; (future ἐπισυναχθήσομαι, Luke 17:37 T Tr WH); Sept several times for אָסַף, קָבַץ, קָהַל; 1. to gather together besides, to bring together to others already assembled (Polybius). 2. to gather together against (Micah 4:11; Zechariah 12:3; 1 Macc. 3:58, etc.). 3. to gather together in one place (ἐπί to): Matthew 23:37; Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; Luke 13:34; passive: Mark 1:33; Luke 12:1; Luke 17:37 T Tr WH (Psalm 101:23 Biblical Overview This verb, appearing eight times in the New Testament (all within the Synoptic Gospels), expresses an intentional bringing-together. Whether the subject is a physical crowd, wayward Jerusalem, birds of prey, or the elect at the consummation of the age, the action always carries purpose and direction—never a random convergence. Gathering Crowds to Jesus’ Earthly Ministry Mark 1:33 portrays the early magnetism of the Galilean ministry: “and the whole town assembled at the door.” The same dynamic resurfaces in Luke 12:1 where “a crowd of many thousands had gathered so that they were trampling one another.” These scenes underline both Christ’s compassion for the masses and His insistence on addressing disciples first, reminding ministers that numerical success can never replace sound instruction. The Compassionate Appeal to Jerusalem Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34 record the lament: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!” The verb here conveys nurturing protection. The image of a hen shielding her chicks reaches back to Psalm 91:4 and Ruth 2:12, where refuge is found “under His wings.” Christ’s yearning culminates centuries of prophetic calls, highlighting human responsibility in responding to divine initiative. Eschatological Gathering of the Elect Both Mark 13:27 and Matthew 24:31 project the verb into the future: “He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds.” The initiative is now unmistakably divine, transcending geography (“from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven”) and attesting to the certainty of final redemption for all who belong to Christ. The promise anchors hope in tribulation and validates missionary enterprise, knowing the elect are scattered among the nations awaiting the appointed ingathering. A Solemn Counter-Image Luke 17:37 closes the Olivet discourse with a darker mirror: “Where there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” Here the same verb warns of inevitable judgment. As surely as scavengers converge on a corpse, so will judgment come upon spiritual deadness. The juxtaposition with the gathering of the elect underscores the double outcome of Christ’s return—salvation and wrath. Old Testament Background and Continuity The Septuagint employs cognate forms to describe Israel’s restoration after exile (for example, Deuteronomy 30:3-4; Isaiah 11:12). The Gospel writers thus echo a long-standing promise: scattered covenant people will be regathered by the Lord. Jesus applies the motif both historically (lament over Jerusalem) and eschatologically (final harvest), demonstrating continuity between Testaments and reinforcing the reliability of biblical prophecy. Doctrinal and Pastoral Implications 1. Divine Initiative: Whether crowds press in, chicks seek shelter, or angels sweep the globe, gathering is ultimately God’s work. Human leaders must therefore trust Him for authentic community formation. Historical and Cultural Notes First-century Palestinian villages were small enough for an entire populace to assemble quickly at a doorway (Mark 1:33). Similarly, city gates and temple courts provided natural gathering points where Jesus taught. The maternal hen metaphor would resonate with agrarian listeners acquainted with barnyard life, while apocalyptic language about angels and the four winds drew on Jewish apocalyptic literature, assuring readers steeped in Daniel and Zechariah that Jesus fulfilled and surpassed their expectations. Application for the Contemporary Church • Pursue Christ-centered gatherings that embody protection and nurture, mirroring the hen’s wings. In every occurrence, Strong’s Greek 1996 interprets history through the lens of divine purpose: God gathers, protects, judges, and finally consummates His kingdom, calling His people to trust, respond, and proclaim. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 23:37 V-ANAGRK: ποσάκις ἠθέλησα ἐπισυναγαγεῖν τὰ τέκνα NAS: I wanted to gather your children KJV: thy children together, even as a hen INT: how often would I have gathered together the children Matthew 23:37 V-PIA-3S Matthew 24:31 V-FIA-3P Mark 1:33 V-RPM/P-NFS Mark 13:27 V-FIA-3S Luke 12:1 V-APP-GFP Luke 13:34 V-ANA Luke 17:37 V-FIP-3P Strong's Greek 1996 |
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