Lexical Summary proskaleó: To call to oneself, to summon, to invite Original Word: προσκαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance summon, call toMiddle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite -- call (for, to, unto). see GREEK pros see GREEK kaleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pros and kaleó Definition to call to NASB Translation call (2), called (13), calling (3), summoned (8), summoning (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4341: προσκαλέωπροσκαλέω, προσκάλω: middle, present προσκαλοῦμαι; 1 aorist προσεκαλεσαμην; perfect προσκέκλημαι; from (Antiphon, Aristophanes, Thucydides), Xenophon, Plato down; to call to; in the N. T. found only in the middle (cf. Buttmann, § 135, 4), to call to oneself; to bid to come to oneself: τινα, a. properly: Matthew 10:1; Matthew 15:10, 32; Matthew 18:2, 32; Matthew 20:25; Mark 3:13, 23; Mark 6:7; Mark 7:14; Mark 8:1, 34; Mark 10:42; Mark 12:43; Mark 15:44; Luke 7:18(19); b. metaphorically, God is said προσκαλεῖσθαι the Gentiles, aliens as they are from him, by inviting and drawing them, through the preaching of the gospel, unto fellowship with himself in the Messiah's kingdom, Acts 2:39; the Holy Spirit and Christ are said to call unto themselves (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 39, 3) those preachers of the gospel to whom they have decided to intrust a service having reference to the extension of the gospel: followed by an infinitive indicating the purpose, Acts 16:10; followed by εἰς τί, Acts 13:2 (where ὁ is for εἰς ὁ, according to that familiar Greek usage by which a preposition prefixed to the antecedent is not repeated before the relative; cf. Winers Grammar, 421f (393); (Buttmann, 342 (294))). The verb translated “to call to oneself” consistently portrays a deliberate summoning that establishes responsibility between caller and called. Whether the summons issues from the Lord, His apostles, civil magistrates, or believers in practical ministry, the action always carries weight: once a person or group is called, they must face the one who calls and respond. Jesus Christ as the Supreme Caller 1. Personal invitation to fellowship and blessing: “But Jesus called the children to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me…’” (Luke 18:16). The verb highlights Christ’s welcoming authority, drawing even society’s least regarded into His presence. Ecclesial Application by the Apostles 1. Corporate decision-making: “So the Twelve called together the whole group of the disciples…” (Acts 6:2). The summons establishes orderly procedure and shared accountability within the local church. Divine Call Extending to Jew and Gentile Peter’s Pentecost proclamation employs the term in its future middle sense: “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself” (Acts 2:39). The horizon of the call stretches beyond ethnic Israel to every nation, reinforcing the inclusive scope of salvation history. Judicial and Civic Contexts The Sanhedrin “called the apostles in and flogged them” (Acts 5:40); Governor Felix “called for Paul and listened to him” (Acts 24:24, using a cognate); Commander Lysias repeatedly “called two of his centurions” and others (Acts 23:17-23). In these scenes the verb underscores formal authority. Yet even hostile or secular summonses serve God’s providential plan, placing His servants before rulers to testify of Christ. Parabolic and Didactic Usage Jesus’ parables employ the verb to expose human motives—e.g., the unforgiving servant is “called” to settle accounts (Matthew 18:32), and the manager in Luke 16:5 “called in each of his master’s debtors.” The summons confronts characters with accountability, mirroring the final reckoning all people will face. Patterns of Grace and Warning Repeatedly, the verb marks pivotal junctures: Theological Implications 1. Sovereignty and responsibility: God initiates the call, yet humans must respond (Acts 2:39; 16:10). Practical Ministry Significance • Leaders should imitate Christ’s clarity when summoning people to obedience and service. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:1 V-APM-NMSGRK: Καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τοὺς δώδεκα NAS: Jesus summoned His twelve disciples KJV: And when he had called unto [him] his INT: And having called to [him] the twelve Matthew 15:10 V-APM-NMS Matthew 15:32 V-APM-NMS Matthew 18:2 V-APM-NMS Matthew 18:32 V-APM-NMS Matthew 20:25 V-APM-NMS Mark 3:13 V-PIM/P-3S Mark 3:23 V-APM-NMS Mark 6:7 V-PIM/P-3S Mark 7:14 V-APM-NMS Mark 8:1 V-APM-NMS Mark 8:34 V-APM-NMS Mark 10:42 V-APM-NMS Mark 12:43 V-APM-NMS Mark 15:44 V-APM-NMS Luke 7:19 V-APM-NMS Luke 15:26 V-APM-NMS Luke 16:5 V-APM-NMS Luke 18:16 V-AIM-3S Acts 2:39 V-ASM-3S Acts 5:40 V-APM-NMP Acts 6:2 V-APM-NMP Acts 13:2 V-RIM/P-1S Acts 13:7 V-APM-NMS Acts 16:10 V-RIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 4341 |
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