3855. paragó

Lexical Summary

paragó: To lead by, to pass by, to bring along

Original Word: παραγώ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: paragó
Pronunciation: pä-rä-gō'
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ag'-o)
KJV: depart, pass (away, by, forth)
NASB: passing away, passed, went, going along, passer-by, passing
Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) and G71 (ἄγω - brought)]

1. to lead near
2. (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

depart, pass by

From para and ago; to lead near, i.e. (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away -- depart, pass (away, by, forth).

see GREEK para

see GREEK ago

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from para and agó
Definition
to lead by, to pass by or away
NASB Translation
going along (1), passed (2), passer-by (1), passing (1), passing away (3), went (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3855: παράγω

παράγω; imperfect παρῆγον (John 8:59 Rec.); present passive 3 person singular παράγεται; from (Archilochus (), Theognis), Pindar and Herodotus down; the Sept. several times for עָבַר in Kal and Hiphil;

1. transitive, ((cf. παρά, IV.));

a. to lead past, lead by.

b. to lead aside, mislead; to lead away.

c. to lead to; to lead forth, bring forward.

2. intransitive (see ἄγω, 4);

a. to pass by, go past: Matthew 20:30; Mark 2:14; Mark 15:21; (Luke 18:39 L marginal reading); followed by παρά with an accusative of place, Mark 1:16 L T Tr WH (by κατά with the accusative of place, 3Macc. 6:16; θεωροῦντες παραγουσαν τήν δύναμιν, Polybius 5, 18, 4).

b. to depart, go away: John 8:59 Rec.; ; ἐκεῖθεν, Matthew 9:9, 27. (Others adhere to the meaning pass by in all these passages.) Metaphorically, to pass away, disappear: 1 Corinthians 7:31 (Psalm 143:5 ()); in the passive in the same sense, 1 John 2:8, 17.

Topical Lexicon

Overview of Meaning

The verb translated “pass by / pass away” is used in Scripture both for physical movement and for the transience of the present order. In either sense it highlights decisive moments: opportunities to respond to the presence of Christ and reminders that earthly realities are temporary.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Eleven uses appear: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 9:27; Matthew 20:30; Mark 1:16; Mark 2:14; Mark 15:21; John 8:59; John 9:1; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:8; 1 John 2:17.

• Seven are narrative, describing someone “passing by.”
• Four are figurative, stressing that “the world,” “darkness,” or “the present form” is “passing away.”

Literal Passing By: Divine Encounters Along the Way

1. Calling of disciples (Matthew 9:9; Mark 1:16; Mark 2:14). The Lord’s casual-seeming movement masks a divine appointment. A routine workday turns into a lifelong calling when Jesus “passes by.”
2. Compassionate healings (Matthew 9:27; Matthew 20:30; John 9:1). The verb frames cries for mercy. “When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out” (Matthew 20:30). Physical nearness invites faith.
3. Providential intersections (Mark 15:21). Simon of Cyrene, merely “passing by,” is drafted to carry the cross. Divine purposes often meet people in ordinary motion.
4. Protective withdrawal (John 8:59). Jesus “passed through the midst of them and went away,” demonstrating sovereign control even in retreat.

Figurative Use: A World That Is Passing Away

1 Corinthians 7:31 sets a perspective for Christian stewardship: “For this world in its present form is passing away”. Believers use the world’s goods without becoming enslaved, because material conditions are transient.

1 John 2:8 observes that “the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining,” assuring the church that spiritual opposition is temporary.

1 John 2:17 caps the warning and hope: “The world is passing away, and its desires; but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” The ephemeral nature of worldly desires contrasts with the permanence of obedience.

Historical and Cultural Background

In first-century Palestine and the Greco-Roman world, travel occurred on foot along public routes. Vendors, fishermen, tax booths, and beggars positioned themselves beside well-traveled ways in expectation of passers-by. The verb captures that ordinary backdrop, allowing readers to picture encounters with Jesus in realistic settings.

Theological Significance

1. Immediacy of Salvation. Since Jesus may “pass by” only once, the verb urges immediate response (cf. Luke 19:1–10 for a conceptual parallel).
2. Sovereign Initiative. Discipleship and healing begin with Christ’s approach, emphasizing grace.
3. Transience vs. Permanence. The passing nature of the world underlines the unchanging character of God’s kingdom and word (Isaiah 40:8 echoed in 1 John 2:17).
4. Eschatological Hope. Darkness’s passing assures ultimate victory of light; the present order’s passing assures the coming renewal of all things.

Pastoral and Practical Application

• Evangelism: Moments when the gospel “passes by” another person are critical; believers imitate Christ by coming near.
• Stewardship: Possessions and circumstances are held lightly since they are “passing.”
• Suffering: Trials are temporary; hope rests in what endures.
• Discipleship: Like Matthew and Levi, followers leave former occupations immediately when Christ calls.

Intertextual Echoes

Old Testament theophanies often involve God “passing by” (Exodus 33:19, 22; 1 Kings 19:11), preparing readers to recognize Jesus’ identity when He does the same. The continuity affirms the unity of redemptive history.

Conclusion

Whether depicting Jesus’ footsteps on Galilean soil or the fading glory of the present age, the verb reminds the church that divine opportunity and worldly impermanence stand side by side. Wisdom seizes the first and loosens its grip on the second.

Forms and Transliterations

παράγαγε παραγαγείν παραγει παράγει παραγεται παράγεται παραγοντα παράγοντά παράγοντες παραγοντι παράγοντι παράγουσι παραγων παράγων παραγωνίσκοις παράδειγμα παραδείγματος παρήγαγεν παρηγεν παρήγεν παρῆγεν παρήγον paragei parágei paragetai parágetai paragon paragōn parágon parágōn paragonta parágontá paragonti parágonti paregen parêgen parēgen parē̂gen

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 9:9 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ παράγων ὁ Ἰησοῦς
NAS: As Jesus went on from there, He saw
KJV: Jesus passed forth from thence,
INT: And passing Jesus

Matthew 9:27 V-PPA-DMS
GRK: Καὶ παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ
NAS: As Jesus went on from there, two
KJV: And when Jesus departed thence, two
INT: And passing on from there

Matthew 20:30 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ὅτι Ἰησοῦς παράγει ἔκραξαν λέγοντες
NAS: that Jesus was passing by, cried
KJV: Jesus passed by, cried out,
INT: that Jesus is passing by cried out saying

Mark 1:16 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ παράγων παρὰ τὴν
NAS: As He was going along by the Sea
INT: And passing by the

Mark 2:14 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ παράγων εἶδεν Λευὶν
NAS: As He passed by, He saw Levi
KJV: And as he passed by, he saw Levi
INT: And passing on he saw Levi

Mark 15:21 V-PPA-AMS
GRK: καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα
NAS: They pressed into service a passer-by coming
KJV: a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming
INT: And they compel passing by one Simon

John 8:59 V-IIA-3S
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ παρῆγεν οὕτως
KJV: so passed by.
INT: of them and passed by thus

John 9:1 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: Καὶ παράγων εἶδεν ἄνθρωπον
NAS: As He passed by, He saw a man
KJV: And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man
INT: And passing by he saw a man

1 Corinthians 7:31 V-PIA-3S
GRK: μὴ καταχρώμενοι παράγει γὰρ τὸ
NAS: of this world is passing away.
KJV: of this world passeth away.
INT: not using [it] as their own passes away indeed the

1 John 2:8 V-PIM-3S
GRK: ἡ σκοτία παράγεται καὶ τὸ
NAS: the darkness is passing away and the TRUE
KJV: the darkness is past, and
INT: the darkness is passing away and the

1 John 2:17 V-PIM-3S
GRK: ὁ κόσμος παράγεται καὶ ἡ
NAS: The world is passing away, and [also] its lusts;
KJV: the world passeth away, and
INT: the world is passing away and the

Strong's Greek 3855
11 Occurrences

παράγει — 2 Occ.
παράγεται — 2 Occ.
παράγων — 4 Occ.
παράγοντά — 1 Occ.
παράγοντι — 1 Occ.
παρῆγεν — 1 Occ.