Lexical Summary sumporeuomai: To go along with, to accompany, to travel together Original Word: συμπoρεύομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance go with, resort. From sun and poreuomai; to journey together; by implication, to assemble -- go with, resort. see GREEK sun see GREEK poreuomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and poreuomai Definition to journey together, hence to come together NASB Translation gathered (1), going along (2), traveling (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4848: συμπορεύομαισυμπορεύομαι (T WH συνπορεύομαι (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); imperfect συνεπορευομην; 1. to go or journey together (Euripides, Xenophon, Diodorus): τίνι, with one, Luke 7:11; Luke 14:25; Luke 24:15 (Tobit 5:3, 9; ἡμῶν ἡ ψυχή συμπορευθεισα Θεῷ, Plato, Phaedr., p. 249 c.; μετά τίνος, very often in the Sept.). 2. to come together, to assemble: πρός τινα, Mark 10:1 (Polybius, Plutarch). Across Scripture, physical travel often mirrors spiritual progress. Strong’s Greek 4848 highlights this theme by portraying companions who “go the same way.” Whether crowds accompanying Jesus or the risen Lord joining sorrowing disciples, each scene teaches that movement with Christ is never mere locomotion; it forms character, conveys revelation, and shapes community. Occurrences in the Gospels • Mark 10:1 – As Jesus moves from Galilee to Judea, “again the crowds gathered around Him”. Their willingness to go where He goes frames the ensuing teaching on marriage and discipleship, reminding readers that understanding follows proximity. • Luke 7:11 – On the road to Nain “His disciples and a large crowd went along with Him.” The verb links compassionate miracle to corporate witness: the mourners first see Jesus because companions have stayed near Him. • Luke 14:25 – “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said…” Here the Lord tests motives, insisting that true fellowship requires cross-bearing commitment, not curiosity. • Luke 24:15 – After the resurrection “Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them.” This single instance where the subject is Christ, not the crowd, reverses the pattern: now the Shepherd pursues wandering sheep, illustrating grace that seeks and restores. Theological Significance 1. Fellowship with Christ Traveling together is the language of relationship. In the Synoptics, willingness to accompany Jesus separates disciples from spectators (compare John 6:66). Luke 14:25-33 presses the point—companionship implies costly allegiance. 2. Revelation on the Way Teaching, parables, and miracles frequently occur while moving (Mark 10:1; Luke 7:11). Luke 24:27 shows the risen Lord “explaining to them what was written in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” during the walk. Illumination unfolds in motion, inviting believers to expect insight amid ordinary journeys. 3. Missional Pattern The Gospels anticipate the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Those who once walked with Christ will soon carry the gospel as He once carried them, forming a relay of accompanying presence. Historical and Cultural Background First-century travel was communal. Roads could be dangerous; companionship offered protection, conversation, and shared resources. Rabbis typically taught while walking, their pupils absorbing instruction in real time. The Gospel writers reflect this setting, making “traveling together” an authentic backdrop for living theology. Old Testament Echoes Genesis 5:24 and Genesis 6:9 describe Enoch and Noah who “walked with God,” establishing a precedent. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” Highlighting covenantal harmony, the prophet anticipates the New Testament call to walk with Christ in agreement with His terms. Christological Insights When Jesus joins the Emmaus travelers, He does what no mere companion can do: open minds (Luke 24:31-32) and hearts “burn” within them. The episode affirms His resurrected bodily presence and validates the Hebrew Scriptures as prophetic testimony to Himself. Pastoral Applications • Discipleship develops through continual, shared experience with Christ, not sporadic encounters. Practical Counsel 1. Cultivate rhythms that keep you “on the road” with Jesus—regular Scripture reading, prayer, obedience in daily tasks. Conclusion Strong’s 4848 captures more than a verb; it encapsulates a discipleship model. The Gospels portray crowds, disciples, and finally the risen Lord Himself engaging in “journeying together.” From Galilean roads to post-resurrection pathways, Scripture consistently affirms that those who walk with Christ receive His teaching, share His compassion, and eventually bear His gospel to others. Englishman's Concordance Mark 10:1 V-PIM/P-3PGRK: Ἰορδάνου καὶ συμπορεύονται πάλιν ὄχλοι NAS: crowds gathered around KJV: and the people resort unto him INT: Jordan And come together again crowds Luke 7:11 V-IIM/P-3P Luke 14:25 V-IIM/P-3P Luke 24:15 V-IIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 4848 |
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