Lexical Summary apostegazó: To unroof, to remove the roof Original Word: ἀποστεγάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance uncover. From apo and a derivative of stege; to unroof -- uncover. see GREEK apo see GREEK stege NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and stegazó (to cover, roof a building) Definition to unroof NASB Translation removed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 648: ἀποστεγάζωἀποστεγάζω: 1 aorist ἀπεστέγασα; (στεγάζω, from στέγη); to uncover, take off the roof: Mark 2:4 (Jesus, with his hearers, was in the ὑπεροων which see, and it was the roof of this which those who were bringing the sick man to Jesus are said to have 'dug out'; (cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Context and Narrative SettingIn Mark 2:4 four friends of a paralytic “removed the roof above Jesus, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” The single New Testament use of ἀπεστέγασαν unfolds in Capernaum during the early Galilean ministry. Jesus is preaching inside a packed home; space constraints prompt a daring act that transforms an ordinary roof into an opening for divine encounter. First-Century Roofing Practices Galilean houses typically had flat roofs made of wooden beams overlaid with thatch, clay, and hard-packed earth. External stairways or ladders granted access. Removing roof material was labor-intensive yet feasible without causing irreparable damage. The narrative presumes the friends’ familiarity with local building methods and their willingness to accept personal cost, possible repair liability, and social criticism for the sake of their companion. Demonstration of Persistent Faith Mark highlights Jesus’ response: “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” (Mark 2:5). The plural pronoun encompasses the entire group. Their faith is: • Active—manifested in concrete effort. Christological Implications The episode shifts swiftly from physical needs to spiritual authority: 1. Authority to Forgive Sins—Jesus’ pronouncement confronts scribal skepticism (Mark 2:6-7). Ministry Lessons: Removing Obstacles The verb’s lone appearance serves as a vivid metaphor for ministry: • Evangelistic Initiative—Believers are called to “open the roof” of cultural, logistical, or relational impediments that hinder others from meeting Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20). Parallel Motifs of Access in Scripture • Rahab’s roof shelters Israel’s spies, facilitating salvation (Joshua 2:6, 13). Together these passages reinforce the theme of God-initiated openness and human response. Historical Echoes in Early Church Practice Patristic writers such as Origen and Chrysostom highlighted the Mark 2 account when urging believers to labor sacrificially for others’ salvation. In liturgy and catechesis the scene illustrated both confession of sin and confident approach to God through Christ. Practical Application for Contemporary Disciples 1. Identify and dismantle hindrances—spiritual apathy, tradition, or societal stigma—that block access to Jesus. Conclusion The solitary New Testament appearance of ἀπεστέγασαν encapsulates a transformative moment where determined faith intersects with sovereign grace. Roof removal becomes a symbol of unyielding devotion that brings the helpless into the healing, forgiving presence of the Son of Man. Forms and Transliterations απεστεγασαν απεστέγασαν ἀπεστέγασαν apestegasan apestégasanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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