648. apostegazó
Lexical Summary
apostegazó: To unroof, to remove the roof

Original Word: ἀποστεγάζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apostegazó
Pronunciation: ah-pos-teh-GAH-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-teg-ad'-zo)
KJV: uncover
NASB: removed
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and a derivative of G4721 (στέγη - roof)]

1. to unroof

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 Origin
from apo and stegazó (to cover, roof a building)
Definition
to unroof
NASB Translation
removed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 648: ἀποστεγάζω

ἀποστεγάζω: 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 , p. 1104)). (Strabo 4, 4, 6, p. 303; 8, 3, 30, p. 542.)

Topical Lexicon
Context and Narrative Setting

In 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.
• Corporate—shared among friends on behalf of one sufferer.
• Barrier-breaking—unwilling to let structural or social obstacles obstruct access to Christ.

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).
2. Validation through Miracle—He heals the paralytic to authenticate His claim (Mark 2:10-12).
3. Revelation of Identity—Only God can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25); Jesus’ words and works reveal His divine prerogatives.

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).
• Intercessory Partnership—The friends function as mediators; likewise, the church bears burdens (Galatians 6:2).
• Compassionate Creativity—Their unconventional strategy encourages adaptive methods in mission without compromising truth.

Parallel Motifs of Access in Scripture

• Rahab’s roof shelters Israel’s spies, facilitating salvation (Joshua 2:6, 13).
• The removal of the temple veil at Christ’s death (Mark 15:38) offers unrestricted access to God.
• Peter’s housetop vision (Acts 10:9-16) opens the gospel to Gentiles.

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.
2. Exercise communal faith—pray, plan, and act together for those incapacitated by sin, illness, or despair.
3. Pursue holistic ministry—proclaim forgiveness while addressing physical needs, mirroring Jesus’ integrated mission.

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 apestégasan
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 2:4 V-AIA-3P
GRK: τὸν ὄχλον ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην
NAS: of the crowd, they removed the roof
KJV: the press, they uncovered the roof
INT: the crowd they removed the roof

Strong's Greek 648
1 Occurrence


ἀπεστέγασαν — 1 Occ.

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