Lexical Summary katamenó: To remain, to stay, to abide Original Word: καταμένω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abide. From kata and meno; to stay fully, i.e. Reside -- abide. see GREEK kata see GREEK meno NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and menó Definition to remain NASB Translation stay (1), staying (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2650: καταμένωκαταμένω; to remain permanently, to abide: Acts 1:13. (Numbers 22:8; Judith 16:20; Aristophanes, Xenophon, Philo de gigant. § 5.) Topical Lexicon Occurrence and ContextStrong’s Greek 2650 appears a single time in the New Testament, in Acts 1:13, describing the apostles “staying” (καταμένοντες) in the upper room at Jerusalem after Christ’s ascension. Though solitary in frequency, its placement at the pivot between the Gospels and the birth of the Church gives the term strategic weight. Luke highlights a deliberate, continuing presence in the city the Lord had designated (Acts 1:4). Their staying is not incidental lodging; it is a purposeful obedience that frames Pentecost. Narrative Significance in Acts 1. Fulfillment of Christ’s Command The participle in Acts 1:13 echoes Jesus’ direct order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised” (Acts 1:4). The disciples’ staying verifies their submission to the resurrected Lord and sets the pattern for Spirit-empowered mission that follows in Acts 2. 2. Atmosphere of Prayerful Expectation Luke immediately adds that “they all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14). The word encapsulates both physical location and spiritual posture. Remaining together allowed unified, persistent intercession—an element the writer repeatedly links to outpourings of divine power (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:31). 3. Preparatory Lull Before Expansion Acts alternates between moments of concentrated waiting and rapid advance. The disciples’ staying precedes the first sermon, the first church, and the first global witnesses. Their temporary immobility becomes the catalyst for worldwide movement. Theological Themes • Obedient Waiting Scripture consistently marries waiting with trust in God’s timing (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31). Acts 1:13 places the apostolic band within that lineage, modeling patience anchored in promise. • Corporate Unity Remaining together in one place before the Spirit’s coming underlines the priority of unity. The Spirit descends where believers dwell in accord (cf. Psalm 133:1-3). • Abiding Presence and Mission John’s Gospel records Jesus’ call to “abide” (John 15:4-7). Acts shows the fruit of that abiding: believers who both remain and then go. The same dynamic undergirds Christian perseverance and outreach today. Old Testament Parallels The Septuagint employs καταμένω to describe Israel’s settled confidence in the Lord (e.g., Psalm 9:7 LXX). By choosing this verb, Luke connects the newborn Church to Israel’s heritage of steadfast reliance on God’s faithfulness. Historical Insight First-century pilgrims often secured temporary quarters in Jerusalem during festivals. Yet the apostles’ prolonged stay beyond Pentecost indicates a transition: Jerusalem shifts from merely a pilgrimage destination to the launch site of the Great Commission. Their decision to remain signals that a new covenant community is forming, not merely visiting. Ministry Applications • Seasons of Strategic Stillness Local congregations and individual believers sometimes need deliberate pauses—retreats for prayer, planning, and waiting on the Spirit—before fresh initiatives. • Obedience Precedes Empowerment The disciples received power (Acts 1:8) only after they had obeyed the instruction to stay. Faithful observance of Christ’s commands remains the pathway to Spirit-filled ministry. • Community over Isolation The upper-room gathering emphasizes shared lodging, shared prayer, and shared purpose. Ministry that prizes fellowship tends to experience greater durability and effectiveness. Related Concepts Stay (μένω) – General abiding Continue (ἐπιμένω) – Persist despite obstacles Remain (διαμένω) – Endure over time Strong’s 2650 intensifies the idea of staying with intentional constancy, often in response to divine directive. Summary Though occurring only once, the term translated “staying” in Acts 1:13 captures a pivotal moment of obedient, unified, prayerful waiting that bridges Christ’s earthly ministry and the Church’s Spirit-empowered mission. For believers today, it calls to disciplined seasons of abiding that precede and sustain effective witness to the ends of the earth. Forms and Transliterations καταμείνη καταμειρισθώσιν καταμεμιγμένα καταμενοντες καταμένοντες καταμενω καταμενῶ καταμεριείτε καταμερίζει καταμερίσαι καταμετρείσθαι καταμετρηθήσεται καταμετρήσετε κατεμείναμεν κατέμειναν κατέμεινεν κατεμετρήθη παραμενῶ katamenontes kataménontes parameno paramenô paramenō paramenō̂Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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