Lexical Summary katischuó: To overpower, to prevail, to be strong against, to overcome. Original Word: κατισχύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prevail against. From kata and ischuo; to overpower -- prevail (against). see GREEK kata see GREEK ischuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and ischuó Definition to overpower NASB Translation have strength (1), overpower (1), prevail (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2729: κατισχύωκατισχύω: imperfect κατίσχυον; future κατισχύσω; 1 aorist subjunctive 2 person plural κατισχύσητε (Luke 21:36 T Tr text WH); the Sept. mostly for חָזַק; among Greek writings especially by Polybius, Diodorus, Dionysius Halicarnassus; properly, to be strong to another's detriment, to prevail against; to be superior in strength; to overpower: followed by an infinitive, Luke 21:36 T Tr text WH (prevail (i. e. have full strength) to escape etc.); to overcome, τίνος (Jeremiah 15:18), Matthew 16:18 (meaning, 'not even the gates of Hades — than which nothing was supposed to be stronger — shall surpass the church in strength'); absolutely, to prevail (i. e. succeed, accomplish one's desire): Luke 23:23. Topical Lexicon Dynamic Sense of Prevailing StrengthThe verb under consideration communicates an active, victorious strength that pushes through resistance until it gains the mastery. It is more than mere endurance; it pictures decisive, effectual power that achieves its goal, whether for good or for evil. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts 1. Matthew 16:18 – Jesus promises, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”. The verb frames an absolute guarantee: every force of death and opposition is ultimately powerless before the advance of Christ’s assembly. 2. Luke 21:36 – Christ exhorts His disciples, “Keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Here the word depicts believers receiving divine enablement to overcome coming trials and remain standing in the final judgment. 3. Luke 23:23 – Amid the Sanhedrin-led mob, “their voices prevailed.” Human authority presses its will through violent insistence, contrasting sharply with the righteous strength seen in the other texts. Theological Emphases Church Victory: Matthew 16:18 anchors ecclesiology in Christ’s sovereign pledge. The church’s triumph is not grounded in its own capacity but in the Lord’s commitment that no realm of darkness can overpower what He builds. Eschatological Readiness: Luke 21:36 ties victorious strength to prayerful vigilance. Believers do not passively await the end; they actively seek grace that equips them to stand unashamed before the returning Son of Man. Human Rebellion: Luke 23:23 lays bare the tragic reality that depraved determination can “prevail” in the short term, yet the ensuing resurrection reverses that verdict and exposes the limits of ungodly power. Historical Reflection in the Early Church Early Christian writers often cited Matthew 16:18 to encourage persecuted congregations. Ignatius, writing to the Romans, alludes to the inevitability of the church’s conquest through martyrdom. Tertullian observes that bloodshed intended to silence Christians actually multiplied them, illustrating how attempted oppression is unable to “prevail.” Ministry and Pastoral Application • Spiritual Warfare: Leaders may confidently advance the gospel, knowing that hell’s defenses cannot withstand sustained proclamation and holy living (Matthew 16:18). • Persevering Prayer: Teaching on Luke 21:36 urges continual watchfulness. Strength that prevails is granted through communion with God, not human resolve. • Discernment of False Victory: Luke 23:23 warns against mistaking loud consensus for legitimate authority. Temporary triumphs gained by unrighteous means face ultimate reversal. Hermeneutical Observations The same verb describing the mob’s success (Luke 23:23) is employed for the church’s success (Matthew 16:18). Scripture thus juxtaposes fleeting human victory with enduring divine victory, calling readers to evaluate which side of history they occupy. Missionary Impulse Because prevailing power resides with Christ, missionary effort is never ultimately in jeopardy. Every unreached people group, every resistant culture, and every hostile regime is, at most, a present expression of Luke 23:23—loud but limited. The missionary can labor with the settled assurance of Matthew 16:18. Eschatological Hope Luke 21:36 unites present vigilance with future standing. The believer’s prevailing is future-oriented, culminating in fearless presence before the Son of Man. Thus, prevailing strength is both gift for today and guarantee for tomorrow. Summary Strong’s 2729 depicts conquering strength. In wicked hands it brings crucifixion; in Christ’s promise it secures the church; in faithful disciples it empowers steadfast endurance. The word therefore calls every generation to trust the Savior whose prevailing power seals the destiny of His people and shatters the illusion of every rival claim. Forms and Transliterations κατίσχυε κατίσχυεν κατισχύετε κατισχυέτω κατισχυέτωσαν κατισχυον κατίσχυον κατισχύοντες κατισχύουσί κατίσχυσα κατισχύσαι κατίσχυσαν κατίσχυσάν κατισχύσαντες κατισχύσας κατισχύσατε κατίσχυσε κατισχύσει κατίσχυσεν κατισχύση κατισχυσητε κατισχύσητε κατίσχυσον κατισχύσουσι κατισχυσουσιν κατισχύσουσιν κατισχύσω κατισχύσωσιν κατισχύων κατοικεσιας κατοικεσίας katischuon katischusete katischusēte katischusousin katischyon katíschyon katischysete katischysēte katischýsete katischýsēte katischysousin katischýsousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 16:18 V-FIA-3PGRK: ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς NAS: of Hades will not overpower it. KJV: shall not prevail against it. INT: of hades not will prevail against it Luke 21:36 V-PSA-2P Luke 23:23 V-IIA-3P Strong's Greek 2729 |
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