Lexical Summary sumparalambanó: To take along with, to take together Original Word: συμπαραλαμβάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance take with. From sun and paralambano; to take along in company -- take with. see GREEK sun see GREEK paralambano NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and paralambanó Definition to take along with NASB Translation along (1), take (1), take...along (1), taking along (1), taking...along (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4838: συμπαραλαμβάνωσυμπαραλαμβάνω (T WH συνπαραλαμβάνω (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); 2 aorist συμπαρελαβον; to take along together with (Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, others); in the N. T. to take with one as a companion: τινα, Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37; Galatians 2:1. Topical Lexicon Occurrences in Scripture The verb συμπαραλαμβάνω appears four times in the New Testament, each within Luke–Acts or Pauline material that chronicles the advance of the gospel among Jews and Gentiles. Its settings are intensely missionary: Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37; Acts 15:38; Galatians 2:1. Missionary Movement and Team Formation 1. Acts 12:25 records the close of the Jerusalem relief visit: “When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking along John, who was also called Mark”. The word links John Mark permanently to the first missionary band and portrays a deliberate choice by Barnabas and Saul to widen the circle of service. Nuances of the Term While the simple verb παραλαμβάνω may speak of “receiving” or “taking,” the compound adds σύν, intensifying the sense of shared experience. Each occurrence denotes intentional, purposeful association—bringing someone into a journey that shapes both traveler and mission. The idea is covenantal rather than contractual: those taken along become fellow-workers, not spectators. Theological Significance 1. Fellowship in the gospel: By “taking along” younger or less experienced believers, apostolic leaders modeled the body dynamic taught elsewhere (Ephesians 4:11-16). Historical Background First-century travel demanded companionship for safety, finances, and witness. Bands of two or three could satisfy Jewish legal standards for testimony, aid one another physically, and display unity before diverse audiences. Συμπαραλαμβάνω therefore reflects practical realities while pointing to spiritual ideals of cooperation. Discipleship Patterns • Barnabas takes Mark (Acts 12:25) → Barnabas and Mark serve Cyprus together (Acts 15:39) → Mark later serves Paul (Colossians 4:10) and Peter (1 Peter 5:13). Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Select companions prayerfully; partnership shapes both the mission and the missionary. Related Biblical Ideas Parallels appear in Jesus’ calling of the Twelve (Mark 3:14), the sending of the Seventy-two “two by two” (Luke 10:1), and Paul’s later requests for coworkers (Philippians 2:19-30). Each reinforces that gospel advance is rarely a solo endeavor; rather, it flourishes through Spirit-led “taking along” of brothers and sisters who then multiply the work of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations συμπαραλαβείν συμπαραλαβεῖν συμπαραλαβόντες συμπαραλαβών συμπαραλαβὼν συμπαραλαμβάνειν συμπαραλαμβάνοντες συμπαραληφθής συνπαραλαβειν συνπαραλαβεῖν συνπαραλαβοντες συνπαραλαβόντες συνπαραλαβων συνπαραλαβὼν συνπαραλαμβανειν συνπαραλαμβάνειν sumparalabein sumparalabon sumparalabōn sumparalabontes sumparalambanein symparalabein symparalabeîn symparalabon symparalabōn symparalabṑn symparalabontes symparalabóntes symparalambanein symparalambáneinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 12:25 V-APA-NMPGRK: τὴν διακονίαν συμπαραλαβόντες Ἰωάννην τὸν NAS: their mission, taking along with [them] John, KJV: and took with them John, INT: the mission having taken with [them] John the [one] Acts 15:37 V-ANA Acts 15:38 V-PNA Galatians 2:1 V-APA-NMS Strong's Greek 4838 |
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