Lexical Summary peripateó: To walk, to conduct oneself, to live Original Word: περιπατέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance walkFrom peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary) -- go, be occupied with, walk (about). see GREEK peri see GREEK pateo HELPS Word-studies 4043 peripatéō (from 4012 /perí, "comprehensively around," which intensifies 3961 /patéō, "walk") – properly, walk around, i.e. in a complete circuit (going "full circle"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri and pateó Definition to walk NASB Translation behave (2), conduct ourselves (1), conduct yourselves (1), leading...life (1), leads...life (1), prowls around (1), so occupied (1), walk (50), walk about (1), walk around (2), walked (7), walking (21), walking around (1), walks (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4043: περιπατέωπεριπατέω, περιπατῶ; imperfect 2 person singular περιεπάτεις, 3 person περιεπάτει, plural περιεπάτουν; future περιπατήσω; 1 aorist περιεπάτησα; pluperfect 3 person singular περιεπεπατήκει (Acts 14:8 Rec.elz), and without the augment (cf. Winers Grammar, § 12, 9; (Buttmann, 33 (29))) περιπεπατήκει (ibid. Rec.st Griesbach); the Sept. for הָלַך; to walk; (walk about A. V. 1 Peter 5:8); a. properly, (as in Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, Isocrates, Josephus, Aelian, others): absolutely, Matthew 9:5; Matthew 11:5; Matthew 15:31; Mark 2:9 (Tdf. ὕπαγε; Mark 5:42; Mark 8:24; Mark 16:12; Luke 5:23; Luke 7:22; Luke 24:17; John 1:36; John 5:8f, 11; John 11:9; Acts 3:6, 8f, 12; Acts 14:8, 10; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 9:20; equivalent to to make one's way, make progress, in figurative discourse equivalent to to make a due use of opportunities, John 12:35a. with additions: γυμνός περιπατῇ, Revelation 16:15; ἐπάνω (τίνος), Luke 11:44; διά with the genitive of the thing, Revelation 21:24 (G L T Tr WH); ἐν with the dative of place, equivalent to to frequent, stay in, a place, Mark 11:27; John 7:1; John 10:23; Revelation 2:1; ἐν τισί, among persons, John 11:54; (περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες, of personal liberty, John 21:18); metaphorically, ἐν τῇ σκοτία, to be subject to error and sin, John 8:12; John 12:35b; 1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:11; ἐν with the dative of the garment one is clothed in, Mark 12:38; Luke 20:46; Revelation 3:4 (ἐν κοκκινοις, Epictetus diss. 3, 22, 10); ἐπί τῆς θαλάσσης (Matthew 14:25 R G; 26 L T Tr WH; Mark 6:48, 49), see ἐπί, A. I. 1 a. and 2 a.; ἐπί τήν θαλασσην, ἐπί τά ὕδατα (Matthew 14:25 L T Tr WH, 26 R G, 29), see ἐπί, C. I. 1 a.; (παρά τήν θάλασσαν, Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16 Rec., see παρά, III. 1); μετά τίνος, to associate with one, to be one's companion, used of one's followers and votaries, John 6:66; Revelation 3:4. b. Hebraistically, to live (cf. Winers Grammar, 32; common in Paul and John, but not found in James or in Peter (cf. ἀναστρέφω 3 b., ἀναστροφή)), i. e. α. to regulate one's life, to conduct oneself (cf. ὁδός, 2 a., πορεύω, b. γ.): ἀξίως τίνος, Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; εὐσχημόνως, Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; ἀκριβῶς, Ephesians 5:15; ἀτάκτως, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 11; ὡς or καθώς τίς, Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:8, 15; οὕτω περιπατοῦντας καθώς, Philippians 3:17; (καθώς περιεπάτησεν ... οὕτως περιπατεῖν, 1 John 2:6 (L Tr text WH omit οὕτω)); πῶς, καθώς, 1 Thessalonians 4:1; οὕτως, ὡς, 1 Corinthians 7:17; so that a nominative of quality must be sought from what follows, ἐχθροί τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Philippians 3:18. with a dative of the thing to which the life is given or consecrated: κώμοις, μέθαις, etc., Romans 13:13, cf. Fritzsche on Romans, vol. iii., p. 140f; with a dative of the standard according to which one governs his life (cf. Fritzsche as above, p. 142; also Buttmann, § 133, 22 b.; Winer's Grammar, 219 (205)): Acts 21:21; Galatians 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:18; followed by ἐν with a dative denoting either the state in which one is flying, or the virtue or vice to which he is given (cf. ἐν, I. 5 e., p. 210b bottom): Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 2:2, 10; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:7; Colossians 4:5; 2 John 1:4, 6; 3 John 1:3f; ἐν βρώμασι, of those who have fellowship in the sacrificial feasts, Hebrews 13:9; ἐν Χριστῷ (see ἐν, I. 6 b.), to live a life conformed to the union entered into with Christ, Colossians 2:6; κατά with an accusative of the person or thing furnishing the standard of living (Mark 7:5); 2 John 1:6; κατά ἄνθρωπον, 1 Corinthians 3:3; κατά σάρκα, Romans 8:1 Rec., Used ninety-six times in the New Testament, the verb translated “walk” describes both literal movement and the entire manner of life. Whether narrating Christ’s mastery over creation or urging believers toward holiness, Scripture employs the word to present a dynamic, continuous pattern of conduct that flows from one’s relationship with God. Literal Walking and Physical Restoration The Synoptic Gospels and Acts record several miracles where lame people instantly “walk.” In Matthew 15:31 the crowd “saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” Acts 3:8 relates that the man healed at the Beautiful Gate “leaped up, stood, and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” Such healings authenticated the messianic identity of Jesus (Luke 7:22) and validated the apostolic proclamation (Acts 14:8-10). The physical act of walking therefore becomes a visible testimony to divine power breaking into human brokenness. Christ’s Dominion Over Nature Three Gospel narratives depict Jesus literally walking on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25-26; Mark 6:48-49; John 6:19). His feet upon the waves foreshadow His sovereign ability to carry believers safely through chaos and reminds disciples that true security is found in fixing their eyes on Him rather than on the storm (Matthew 14:29-31). Metaphorical Walk: Ethical Lifestyle New Testament writers regularly shift from the physical sense to an ethical metaphor. To “walk” is to order one’s life in a certain direction. • Romans 6:4: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.” The metaphor underscores continuity: Christian life is not a single step but a journey of daily choices shaped by redemption. Walking Worthy of the Calling Paul repeatedly couples the verb with “worthy.” • Ephesians 4:1: “Walk worthy of the calling you have received.” The worthiness demanded is grounded in grace already bestowed; believers respond by aligning conduct with gospel realities. Walking in Love Ephesians 5:2 exhorts, “Walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” Love becomes the atmosphere of Christian walking, mirroring the self-sacrificial pattern of the cross. Walking in Light and Truth Scripture contrasts walking in light with walking in darkness. • John 8:12: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” Light signifies moral purity and doctrinal fidelity, both inseparable in apostolic teaching. Walking in Wisdom Toward Outsiders Colossians 4:5 calls the Church to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, redeeming the time.” Evangelistic credibility hinges on conduct marked by prudence, grace, and urgency. Walking as Gentiles vs. Walking as Saints A stark antithesis appears in Ephesians 4:17: “You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.” Unbelieving patterns—darkened understanding, sensuality, greed—are incompatible with a renewed mind. Romans 13:13 likewise urges: “Let us walk properly, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” Walking by Faith, Not by Sight 2 Corinthians 5:7 crystallizes the pilgrim motif: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The believer’s path is governed by confidence in unseen promises rather than visible circumstances. Eschatological Promises of Walking with God Revelation 3:4 assures the faithful in Sardis: “They will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” Revelation 21:24 looks forward to nations that “will walk in its light,” depicting consummate fellowship with God in the new creation. The verb thus stretches from present discipleship to eternal destiny. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications 1. Instruction: Teaching must include clear ethical exhortation, helping believers translate doctrine into daily steps (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Historical-Theological Notes The first-century Jewish concept of halakha (“walking”) already linked obedience and daily life, yet the New Testament intensifies this by rooting the walk in union with Christ and empowerment by the Spirit. The early Church understood conversion as entrance onto a new path (Acts 9:2), a theme echoed by second-century writings that speak of “the Way of Life.” Old Testament Background Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24); Israel was commanded to “walk in all His ways” (Deuteronomy 10:12). Prophets lamented “walking after idols” (Jeremiah 2:5). The New Testament picks up this covenantal language and locates its fulfillment in the Messiah, enabling believers to walk faithfully where Israel stumbled. Conclusion The verb translated “walk” weaves a rich tapestry—from miraculous healings and sea-top strides to the daily ethic of love, light, faith, and hope. Every occurrence invites disciples to place one foot of belief before the other in obedient progress until they stroll in white beside the Lord. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:18 V-PPA-NMSGRK: Περιπατῶν δὲ παρὰ NAS: Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea KJV: And Jesus, walking by the sea INT: walking moreover by Matthew 9:5 V-PMA-2S Matthew 11:5 V-PIA-3P Matthew 14:25 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 14:26 V-PPA-AMS Matthew 14:29 V-AIA-3S Matthew 15:31 V-PPA-AMP Mark 2:9 V-PMA-2S Mark 5:42 V-IIA-3S Mark 6:48 V-PPA-NMS Mark 6:49 V-PPA-AMS Mark 7:5 V-PIA-3P Mark 8:24 V-PPA-AMP Mark 11:27 V-PPA-GMS Mark 12:38 V-PNA Mark 16:12 V-PPA-DMP Luke 5:23 V-PMA-2S Luke 7:22 V-PIA-3P Luke 11:44 V-PPA-NMP Luke 20:46 V-PNA Luke 24:17 V-PPA-NMP John 1:36 V-PPA-DMS John 5:8 V-PMA-2S John 5:9 V-IIA-3S John 5:11 V-PMA-2S Strong's Greek 4043 |
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