Lexical Summary sumpnigó: To choke, to suffocate, to crowd out Original Word: συμπνίγω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance choke, throng. From sun and pnigo; to strangle completely, i.e. (literally) to drown, or (figuratively) to crowd -- choke, throng. see GREEK sun see GREEK pnigo HELPS Word-studies 4846 sympnígō (from 4862 /sýn, "identified with" and 4155 /pnígō, "choke") – properly, choke (cut off) – literally, "choked because joined with." 4846 /sympnígō ("press in on, choke") operates in people having "wrong identifications" (aligning with sin). Doing this cuts a person off from Christ's provisions (His life-supply, note the prefix, syn) and leaves them inoperative (stalled, spiritually suffocated). [4846 (sympnígō) is figuratively used of the deadly connections of sin, cutting off the life-support needed to live.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and pnigó Definition to choke NASB Translation choke (2), choked (2), pressing against (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4846: συμπνίγωσυμπνίγω (T WH συνπνίγω (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); imperfect συνέπνιγον; 1 aorist συνέπνιξα; present passive 3 person plural συμπνίγονται; to choke utterly: the seed of the divine word sown in the mind, Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:7, 19 (δένδρα συμπνιγομενα, Theophrastus, c. plant. 6, 11, 6); συμπνίγονται, they are choked, i. e. the seed of the divine word in their minds is choked, Luke 8:14; τινα, to press round or throng one so as almost to suffocate him, Luke 8:42 (A. V. thronged). The verb portrays the act of choking, crowding, or pressing so tightly that normal growth or movement becomes impossible. In Scripture it is used figuratively of spiritual suffocation and literally of physical pressure. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:7; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14; Luke 8:42. Agricultural and Cultural Background First-century farmers broadcast seed before plowing. Seed that landed where thorn bushes already had root sprouted but eventually lost light, water, and nutrients to the stronger weeds. Jesus takes this well-known scenario and applies it to the listener who receives the word yet allows competing forces to smother its fruitfulness. Spiritual Dynamics in the Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:22 – “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word.” Mark 4:19 – “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word.” Luke 8:14 – “the worries and riches and pleasures of this life … their fruit does not mature.” Anxiety, affluence, and appetite form a threefold cord able to strangle spiritual vitality. None of these elements uproot the seed; they merely co-inhabit the soil until the plant can no longer breathe. The Pressing Multitude Around Jesus Luke 8:42: “As Jesus went, the crowds nearly crushed Him.” The same verb that pictures thorns around tender shoots depicts people pressing in on the Son of God. Their enthusiasm created a barrier as dangerous as outright opposition, highlighting that well-intentioned pressure can hinder divine work. Theological Themes 1. Vulnerability of Emerging Faith—germination does not guarantee harvest. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Guard the heart from anxiety through prayer (Philippians 4:6–7). Old Testament Connections Thorns symbolize unfruitfulness (Genesis 3:18; Isaiah 5:6; Jeremiah 4:3). Jesus’ parable fulfills these images, showing that unattended soil still yields the same result—barrenness. Eschatological Echoes The unfruitful hearer contrasts with “the one who produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold” (Matthew 13:23). Branches that bear no fruit are removed (John 15:2); those who overcome the choking pressures inherit eternal promises (Revelation 2:7). Summary Strong’s Greek 4846 vividly depicts forces that suffocate life—whether brambles strangling a seedling or crowds pressing Christ. The term warns believers against allowing worldly concerns to stifle the implanted word and urges vigilant cultivation that leads to an abundant harvest for the glory of God. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 13:22 V-PIA-3SGRK: τοῦ πλούτου συμπνίγει τὸν λόγον NAS: of wealth choke the word, KJV: of riches, choke the word, INT: of riches choke the word Mark 4:7 V-AIA-3P Mark 4:19 V-PIA-3P Luke 8:14 V-PIM/P-3P Luke 8:42 V-IIA-3P Strong's Greek 4846 |
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