Lexical Summary paratugchanó: To happen upon, to chance upon, to encounter Original Word: παρατυγχάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meet with. From para and tugchano; to chance near, i.e. Fall in with -- meet with. see GREEK para see GREEK tugchano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and tugchanó Definition to happen to be near or present NASB Translation happened to be present (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3909: παρατυγχάνωπαρατυγχάνω; from Homer (Iliad 11, 74) down; to chance to be by (cf. παρά, IV. 1), to happen to be present, to meet by chance: Acts 17:17. Topical Lexicon Occurrence in the New Testament The verb παρατυγχάνω appears once, in Acts 17:17, describing the people in the Athenian agora whom Paul addressed: “So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17). Providential Encounters in Acts 17:17 Luke’s choice of this word highlights encounters that look accidental but are ordered by God. Paul did not schedule appointments with the passersby; he met “those who happened to be there.” Yet the unfolding narrative shows that the gospel moved forward precisely through such unexpected meetings, ultimately leading Paul to the Areopagus (Acts 17:19–34). What seems random to human eyes is orchestrated by the Lord who “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their land” (Acts 17:26). Marketplace Evangelism and Open-Air Apologetics The agora was the commercial and social heartbeat of Athens. By engaging “those who happened to be there,” Paul modeled evangelism that enters everyday public space: The use of παρατυγχάνω underlines that effective witness often arises amid ordinary transactions—buying, selling, debating, and strolling. Divine Sovereignty over Human ‘Chance’ Scripture frequently speaks of apparent chance that serves God’s purpose: Ruth “happened to come” to Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3), the arrow “met” Ahab between the armor plates (1 Kings 22:34), and a man “found” Joseph wandering in a field, directing him toward his brothers (Genesis 37:15–17). Acts 17:17 continues this thread, assuring believers that the Lord governs unforeseen meetings and casual conversations. Historical Insights from First-Century Athens The Athenian agora drew Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, merchants, artisans, and travelers. Paul’s interaction with the crowd that “happened to be there” shows: Related Biblical Parallels • Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:6-26) illustrates a similar unplanned encounter used for redemptive revelation. Theological Implications 1. God’s providence operates through everyday circumstances. Application for Ministry Today • Cultivate availability: schedule margin for unplanned conversations. Conclusion Παρατυγχάνω in Acts 17:17 reminds believers that incidental meetings are instruments in God’s mission. What appears accidental is, under God’s sovereignty, a prepared moment for gospel witness and kingdom advance. Forms and Transliterations παρατυγχανοντας παρατυγχάνοντας paratunchanontas paratynchanontas paratynchánontasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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