Lexical Summary prokataggelló: To foretell, to announce beforehand Original Word: προκαταγγέλλω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foretell, have notice, show before. From pro and kataggello; to anounce beforehand, i.e. Predict, promise -- foretell, have notice, (shew) before. see GREEK pro see GREEK kataggello HELPS Word-studies 4293 prokataggéllō (from 4253 /pró, "before," 2596 /katá, "down" and aggellō, "declare") – properly, decisively announce beforehand, as when the Lord reveals the future to His prophets. Ac 3:18: "But the things which God announced beforehand (4293 /prokataggéllō) by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled: (NASU). Ac 7:52: "Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced (4293 /prokataggéllō) the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and kataggelló Definition to announce beforehand NASB Translation announced beforehand (1), previously announced (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4293: προκαταγγέλλωπροκαταγγέλλω: 1 aorist προκατηγγελεια; perfect passive participle προκατηγγελμενος; to announce beforehand (that a thing will be): of prophecies — followed by an accusative with an infinitive Acts 3:18; τί, Acts 3:24 Rec.; περί τίνος, Acts 7:52. To pre-announce in the sense of to promise: τί, passive, 2 Corinthians 9:5 Rec. (Josephus, Antiquities 1, 12, 3; 2, 9, 4; ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Theme of Foreannounced RedemptionThe verb translated “foretold” in Acts 3:18 and Acts 7:52 highlights God’s habit of publishing His redemptive purposes before He brings them to pass. In Peter’s sermon at Solomon’s Colonnade, the word underscores that the suffering of Jesus Christ was not an unforeseen tragedy but the publicized centerpiece of prophetic expectation: “But God has thus fulfilled what He foretold through the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer” (Acts 3:18). Stephen likewise charges Israel with murdering the prophets who “previously announced the coming of the Righteous One” (Acts 7:52), revealing a consistent divine pattern—first proclamation, then historical fulfillment. Continuity of the Prophetic Witness Both occurrences are set inside speeches that survey Israel’s history, emphasizing the unified voice of prophetic revelation. Rather than isolated predictions, the prophets form a single, harmonious testimony culminating in Jesus Christ. This sustains the biblical conviction that Scripture cannot be broken; the Old Testament and New Testament constitute one story, and prior proclamation validates later fulfillment (Luke 24:27; Romans 1:1-3). Christological Fulfillment The advance proclamation specifically concerns “the Righteous One” and “His Christ.” By choosing this verb, Luke accentuates that the Messiah’s sufferings and vindication were woven into prophetic preaching centuries before the Incarnation. Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and Zechariah 12:10 are typical examples appealed to by the apostolic church. Acts 3:18 presents the cross as the apex of God’s foreordained plan, removing any suggestion of divine improvisation. Believers, therefore, rest their faith on a Savior whose life and mission are authenticated by prior scriptural testimony. Historical Context in Acts 1. Acts 3:18 — Peter addresses devout Jews after the healing of the lame man. The appeal to prior announcement calls Israel to repentance (Acts 3:19) on the ground that they acted in ignorance, despite the prophets’ clear voice. 2. Acts 7:52 — Stephen, standing before the Sanhedrin, asserts a historical pattern of prophetic rejection culminating in the betrayal of Jesus. The verb magnifies the guilt of his hearers: they have not merely ignored prediction; they have slain its heralds and the One foretold. Implications for Evangelism Early Christian preaching routinely connected Christ’s saving work to ancient prophecy. That practice provides a paradigm for contemporary gospel ministry: • Preach Christ from all Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Doctrinal Significance 1. Inspiration and Inerrancy: The accuracy of foreannouncement vindicates the divine origin of Scripture (2 Peter 1:19-21). Pastoral Applications • Assurance—Believers derive confidence from a salvation long declared and now accomplished. Summary Strong’s Greek 4293 illuminates God’s pattern of announcing His redemptive acts before bringing them to fruition. Its sparse but strategic use in Acts spotlights the unity of biblical revelation, the reliability of divine promise, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s eternal plan. The church today inherits both the assurance and the commission that flow from this prophetic, forward-looking proclamation. Forms and Transliterations προκαταγγειλαντας προκαταγγείλαντας προκαταλαβέσθαι προκαταλαβέτωσαν προκαταλάβηται προκαταλαβού προκαταλάβωμαι προκαταλάβωνται προκατείληπται προκατελάβετο προκατελάβοντο προκατήγγειλε προκατηγγειλεν προκατήγγειλεν προκατηγγελμένην prokatangeilantas prokatangeílantas prokatengeilen prokatēngeilen prokatḗngeilenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 3:18 V-AIA-3SGRK: θεὸς ἃ προκατήγγειλεν διὰ στόματος NAS: God announced beforehand by the mouth KJV: God before had shewed by INT: God what [he]foretold by [the] mouth Acts 7:52 V-APA-AMP Strong's Greek 4293 |
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