Lexical Summary sugkathémai: To sit together, to sit with Original Word: συγκαθέμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sit with. From sun and kathemai; to seat oneself in company with -- sit with. see GREEK sun see GREEK kathemai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and kathémai Definition to sit together or with NASB Translation sitting (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4775: συγκάθημαισυγκάθημαι (T WH συνκάθημαι (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); from Herodotus down; (the Sept.); "to sit together: to sit with another": μετά τίνος, Mark 14:54; τίνι, with one, Acts 26:30. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4775 pictures the simple act of “sitting together,” yet in its two New Testament occurrences the term becomes a window into issues of allegiance, fellowship, and witness. Whether in the dim courtyard of the high priest or the regal hall of a Gentile king, the posture of sitting side-by-side reveals spiritual realities that transcend the physical arrangement of chairs. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Mark 14:54 – “Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.” Mark 14:54 – Association under Pressure Peter’s choice to sit among the high priest’s servants places him inside the orbit of those actively prosecuting Jesus. His physical proximity signals a tentative identification that soon proves spiritually perilous. The charcoal fire provides warmth, but the company erodes courage; before dawn he will deny the Lord three times. The narrative warns that the believer’s chosen seat—socially, intellectually, spiritually—often shapes the testimony that follows (compare Psalm 1:1). Acts 26:30 – Shared Responsibility for Judgment In Caesarea the term describes the cohort of dignitaries—Agrippa, Festus, Bernice, and others—who sift Paul’s defense. Their shared seating symbolizes a unified judicial stance. Yet while they occupy one bench, they reach differing conclusions (Acts 26:31-32). Luke subtly contrasts their earthly authority with Paul’s heavenly commission; the apostle stands chained yet spiritually free, whereas the seated officials remain bound by indecision and political calculation. Historical and Cultural Setting First-century courts and courtyards were communal spaces where rank was displayed by seating arrangement. Sharing a seat or bench implied camaraderie, consent, or at least willingness to be identified with the group. Within Jewish tradition, “sitting” also marked formal instruction (Luke 2:46) and deliberation (Matthew 23:2). Greco-Roman audiences would recognize the symbolism of the synklitos, the council that “sat together” in governance. Thus 4775 carries social weight beyond mere posture. Theological Themes 1. Identification – Where believers sit often advertises whose approval they seek (Galatians 1:10). Ministry Applications • Discernment in Fellowship: Believers are called to engage the world without being molded by it (Romans 12:2). Intertextual Echoes Psalm 26:4-5 and Psalm 1:1 caution against “sitting” with the deceitful or scoffers, while Luke 22:55 (a parallel to Mark 14:54) deepens the portrait of Peter by the fire. Conversely, Ephesians 2:6 celebrates believers “seated with Him in the heavenly realms,” the redeemed counterpoint to worldly association. Patristic Reflection Early commentators such as Chrysostom highlighted Peter’s choice of seat as the first step toward denial, whereas Paul’s accusers “sat together” only to discover no fault in him—illustrating God’s vindication of His servants despite human tribunals. Summary Strong’s 4775 serves as a narrative hinge on which questions of loyalty swing. Whether in fear or in formal power, those who sit together disclose their hearts. Scripture invites every follower of Christ to examine present company and ensure that earthly seats never compromise heavenly allegiance. Forms and Transliterations συγκαθήμενοι συγκαθήμενος συγκαθήσθαι συνκαθημενοι συνκαθήμενοι συνκαθημενος συνκαθήμενος sunkathemenoi sunkathēmenoi sunkathemenos sunkathēmenos synkathemenoi synkathēmenoi syn'kathḗmenoi synkathemenos synkathēmenos syn'kathḗmenosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 14:54 V-PPM/P-NMSGRK: καὶ ἦν συνκαθήμενος μετὰ τῶν NAS: of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers INT: and he was sitting with the Acts 26:30 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 4775 |
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