Lexical Summary katakeimai: To lie down, to be laid up, to be situated Original Word: κατακεῖμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance recline, lie, sit down at mealsFrom kata and keimai; to lie down, i.e. (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal -- keep, lie, sit at meat (down). see GREEK kata see GREEK keimai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and keimai Definition to lie down, recline NASB Translation bedridden* (1), dining (1), lay (1), lying (4), lying sick (1), reclining (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2621: κατάκειμαικατάκειμαι; imperfect 3 person singular κατέκειτο; (κεῖμαι, to lie (see κατά, III. 1)); to have lain down i. e. to lie prostrate; a. of the sick (cf. colloquial, 'down sick') (Herodotus 7, 229; Lucian, Icarom. 31; (Plutarch, vit. Cicero 43, 3)): Mark 1:30; John 5:6; Acts 28:8; followed by ἐπί with the dative of the couch or pallet, Mark 2:4 R G L marginal reading; (Acts 9:33 R G); Luke 5:25 R L; ἐπί τιονς, Acts 9:33 (L T Tr WH); ἐπί τί, Luke 5:25 T Tr WH (Buttmann, § 147, 24 note; Winer's Grammar, 408 (381) note); ἐν with the dative of place, John 5:3. b. of those at meals, to recline (Athen. 1, 42, p. 23 c.; Xenophon, an. 6, 1, 4; conv. 1, 14; Plato, conv., p. 177 d.; rep. ii., p. 372 d., etc.; (Diogenes Laërtius 7, 1, 19; see ἀνάκειμαι): absolutely, Mark 14:3; Luke 5:29; followed by ἐν with the dative of place, Mark 2:15; 1 Corinthians 8:10; Luke 7:37 L T Tr WH. In the first–century Mediterranean world, formal meals were taken on couches around a low table; guests reclined on the left elbow and ate with the right hand. This posture communicated intimacy, equality, and covenant fellowship. The same verb also described one who was confined to a bed through illness. Thus κατακεῖμαι appears in contexts of both banquet and sickbed, two spheres where the ministry of Jesus and His apostles is frequently displayed. Reclining at Table: Fellowship and Mission 1. Jesus accepts Levi’s invitation (Luke 5:29; Mark 2:15). By reclining among tax collectors and others labeled “sinners,” He embodies the divine initiative toward the lost. “Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others was dining with them” (Luke 5:29). The verb subtly underscores table fellowship as a venue for gospel proclamation. 2. A forgiven sinner finds Him at table (Luke 7:37). The woman who anoints Jesus’ feet learns “that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house,” and her worship there contrasts sharply with the host’s neglect. The scene anticipates the eschatological banquet where grace, not pedigree, grants admission. 3. Bethany and the fragrance of devotion (Mark 14:3). While Jesus reclines, His impending passion is honored through costly perfume. The posture signals restful confidence even as He approaches the cross. 4. Paul and the idol’s temple (1 Corinthians 8:10). A believer with “knowledge” is seen “reclining in an idol’s temple,” risking the emboldening of a weaker conscience toward idolatry. Table posture here becomes an ethical test: love limits liberty for the sake of a brother. Lying Sick: Authority and Compassion 1. Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30) and the paralytic (Mark 2:4; Luke 5:25). Whether fevered or paralyzed, those “lying” are raised by a word of power. “Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God” (Luke 5:25). The change of posture—from lying to standing—vividly demonstrates the in-breaking kingdom. 2. The invalid at Bethesda (John 5:3, 6). A multitude lay helpless, but Jesus singles out one man and commands, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Physical helplessness becomes the stage on which divine initiative and Sabbath controversy intersect. 3. Aeneas in Lydda (Acts 9:33) and Publius’ father on Malta (Acts 28:8). Peter and Paul replicate the Master’s pattern, proving that resurrection power continues through the apostolic witness. Theological Implications • Table fellowship previews the Messianic banquet (cf. Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 8:11). κατακεῖμαι scenes point forward to the day when “many will come from east and west” to recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. • Raising the bedridden dramatizes salvation itself—moving from paralysis to participation, from isolation to community. • The same posture that nurtures covenant fellowship can, in pagan temples, compromise a weaker brother. Conscience-shaped love therefore governs Christian liberty. Pastoral Applications • Hospitality remains a strategic avenue for gospel ministry. Inviting believers and seekers to our tables imitates Christ’s missional posture. • Compassionate visitation of the sick continues the apostolic pattern. Prayer and practical care testify that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” • Leaders guard both doctrine and conscience by avoiding settings that would blur the antithesis between the Lord’s table and idolatry. Summary In every occurrence of Strong’s Greek 2621, physical posture reveals spiritual realities—grace that gathers outsiders, power that lifts the helpless, and holiness that guards fellowship. Whether at couch or cot, the gospel turns lying down into rising up, and shared meals into foretastes of the kingdom yet to come. Englishman's Concordance Mark 1:30 V-IIM/P-3SGRK: πενθερὰ Σίμωνος κατέκειτο πυρέσσουσα καὶ NAS: mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; KJV: wife's mother lay sick of a fever, INT: [the] mother-in-law of Simon was laying sick in a fever And Mark 2:4 V-IIM/P-3S Mark 2:15 V-PNM/P Mark 14:3 V-PPM/P-GMS Luke 5:25 V-IIM/P-3S Luke 5:29 V-PPM/P-NMP Luke 7:37 V-PIM/P-3S John 5:3 V-IIM/P-3S John 5:6 V-PPM/P-AMS Acts 9:33 V-PPM/P-AMS Acts 28:8 V-PNM/P 1 Corinthians 8:10 V-PPM/P-AMS Strong's Greek 2621 |
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