Lexical Summary sunarpazo: To seize, to snatch away, to catch up Original Word: συναρπάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance catch. From sun and harpazo; to snatch together, i.e. Seize -- catch. see GREEK sun see GREEK harpazo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and harpazó Definition to seize and carry away NASB Translation caught (1), dragged...away (1), dragging along (1), seized (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4884: συναρπάζωσυναρπάζω: 1 aorist συνήρπασα; pluperfect συνηρπάκειν; 1 aorist passive συνηρπασθην; to seize by force: τινα, Acts 6:12; Acts 19:29; to catch or lay hold of (one, so that he is no longer his own master), Luke 8:29; to seize by force and carry away, Acts 27:15. (Tragg., Aristophanes, Xenophon, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview The verb συναρπάζω appears four times in the New Testament. In every setting it portrays an overpowering force that tears away control from its object—whether a person, a group, or even a ship. Each use occurs in a narrative that illustrates how God’s purposes prevail when human strength, demonic power, or natural circumstances surge violently. Occurrences in Scripture • Luke 8:29 — “For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he would break the chains and be driven by the demon into solitary places.” – The verb describes the repeated, brutal domination of the demoniac of the Gerasenes, highlighting mankind’s helplessness against spiritual evil apart from Christ’s authority. • Acts 6:12 — “They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. They rushed upon him, seized him, and brought him before the Council.” – Here the religious leaders and the mob jointly “snatch” Stephen, acting as one body in opposition to the gospel. • Acts 19:29 — “The city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s traveling companions.” – The Ephesian riot shows economic idolatry erupting into violence; Paul’s co-workers are forcibly hauled into the public arena. • Acts 27:15 — “Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up, and so we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.” – On the storm-tossed Mediterranean, the storm seizes control of the vessel, picturing nature’s fury that no seamanship can tame. Historical and Cultural Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, mob action and summary justice were common. City assemblies could be whipped into frenzy, and minority groups—especially followers of “the Way”—were convenient targets. Maritime travel likewise carried real peril; sailors recognized that sudden northeasters could overpower even the best-built ship. Luke, an educated historian, selects συναρπάζω to convey this shared cultural awareness of overwhelming power, whether human or elemental. Spiritual and Theological Themes 1. Bondage versus Deliverance The Gerasene account underscores that demonic power enslaves, but Christ liberates. The same Lord who calms storms in the Gospels later delivers Paul from the sea storm in Acts 27, weaving together physical and spiritual rescue. 2. Gospel Opposition Both Acts incidents display organized hostility when the gospel challenges entrenched beliefs—religious traditionalism in Jerusalem (Acts 6) and commercial idolatry in Ephesus (Acts 19). Even when Christ’s servants are “snatched,” God advances His mission: Stephen’s martyrdom sparks wider evangelism (Acts 8:4), and the uproar at Ephesus ultimately magnifies the Lord’s word (Acts 19:20). 3. Sovereignty of God Whether evil spirits, irate crowds, or violent tempests, every overwhelming force is ultimately subordinate to God’s purpose. Paul declares after the storm, “Take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me” (Acts 27:25). The verb συναρπάζω therefore serves as a narrative foil, amplifying divine sovereignty. Ministry and Practical Application • Perseverance under Hostility: Modern believers facing social or legal pressure can find courage in Stephen, Gaius, and Aristarchus. Being “seized” by opposition does not negate being held by Christ (John 10:28). Related Concepts and Cross References • ἁρπάζω (to snatch away) — emphasizes suddenness (John 10:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). Summary Strong’s Greek 4884 depicts forcible seizure that strips its victims of control. Luke employs the term to narrate demonic oppression, religious persecution, civic unrest, and natural disaster. In every case God’s redemptive plan is neither thwarted nor delayed. What men, demons, and storms seize, God ultimately secures, turning apparent triumphs of chaos into testimonies of grace and sovereign fidelity. Forms and Transliterations συναρπασαντες συναρπάσαντες συναρπασθεντος συναρπασθέντος συναρπασθής συναυλίζου συνηρπακει συνηρπάκει συνηρπασαν συνήρπασαν sunarpasantes sunarpasthentos sunerpakei sunērpakei sunerpasan sunērpasan synarpasantes synarpásantes synarpasthentos synarpasthéntos synerpakei synerpákei synērpakei synērpákei synerpasan synērpasan synḗrpasanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 8:29 V-LIA-3SGRK: γὰρ χρόνοις συνηρπάκει αὐτόν καὶ NAS: out of the man. For it had seized him many KJV: For oftentimes it had caught him: and INT: indeed times it had seized him and Acts 6:12 V-AIA-3P Acts 19:29 V-APA-NMP Acts 27:15 V-APP-GNS Strong's Greek 4884 |
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