Lexical Summary paraginomai: To come, to arrive, to be present Original Word: παραγίνομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come, go, be present. From para and ginomai; to become near, i.e. Approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly -- come, go, be present. see GREEK para see GREEK ginomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and ginomai Definition to be beside, to arrive NASB Translation appeared (2), arrive (2), arrived (10), came (13), come (4), come here (1), coming (1), present (1), supported (1), when...arrived (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3854: παραγίνομαιπαραγίνομαι; imperfect 3 person plural παρεγίνοντο (John 3:23); 2 aorist παρεγενόμην; from Homer down; the Sept. for בּוא; (properly, to become near, to place oneself by the side of, hence) to be present, to come near, approach : absolutely, Matthew 3:1 (but in edition 1 Prof. Grimm (more appropriately) associates this with Hebrews 9:11; Luke 12:51 below); Luke ( Topical Lexicon Summary of the IdeaStrong’s Greek 3854 focuses on the concrete moment when someone “arrives,” “comes on the scene,” or “is present.” While the cognate parousia often looks to Christ’s future appearing, 3854 (paraginomai / pareginomai) concentrates on the immediate, observable presence of a person who has just entered a place or situation. Every New Testament use portrays a decisive point at which God’s purposes advance because someone is now physically there. Key Theological Themes 1. Divine Timing In every occurrence, arrival is never random; it unfolds at God-appointed moments that move redemptive history forward (Matthew 2:1; Acts 14:27; Acts 28:21). 2. Witness and Testimony The verb frequently introduces individuals who will testify, petition, or explain (Luke 7:4; Acts 23:16; Acts 25:7). Presence lends authority to the message. 3. Ministry Engagement A new ministry phase typically begins when the servant of God “arrives” (Acts 11:23; Acts 18:27). The word underscores the incarnational pattern of showing up to serve. 4. Legal and Judicial Settings Nearly a quarter of the uses stand in courtrooms or hearings (Acts 23:35; Acts 24:24; Acts 25:7). The term marks the formal appearance of parties before governing powers, highlighting God’s sovereignty over legal affairs. 5. Christological Fulfillment Hebrews 9:11 crowns the list: “But when Christ came as High Priest of the good things that have come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle”. The climactic “came” (paragenomenos) signals the once-for-all arrival of the Messiah into the heavenly sanctuary. Distribution Across the New Testament Gospels – 11 occurrences Acts – 22 occurrences Pauline Epistles – 3 occurrences Hebrews – 1 occurrence The heavy concentration in Acts accents the missionary nature of the early Church; the Gospel uses tend to frame key turning points in Jesus’ public ministry. Representative Passages Matthew 3:1 – “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” John’s sudden appearance inaugurates the forerunner’s witness. Luke 7:4 – Elders “came to Jesus and pleaded earnestly with Him,” illustrating respectful intercession born of personal presence. Acts 14:27 – “On arriving, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them.” Missionary arrival energizes corporate worship and testimony. Acts 23:16 – Paul’s nephew “came and entered the barracks” to warn Paul, displaying providential protection accomplished through timely presence. 2 Timothy 4:16 – “At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me.” Paul laments the absence (implied non-arrival) of supporters, proving how crucial presence is for encouragement. Hebrews 9:11 – Christ’s arrival as High Priest validates His completed atonement and eternal ministry. Historical and Ministry Significance Early Christian expansion hinged on personal arrival. Apostles did not merely send messages; they showed up. The verb captures: • Mission strategy – Church-planting teams travel and “arrive,” immediately engaging synagogues or marketplaces (Acts 17:10; Acts 18:27). The pattern urges modern believers to value embodied ministry: presence cannot be substituted by correspondence alone. Practical Applications 1. Be Present – Ministry effectiveness rises when servants of Christ physically arrive where needs exist. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 3854 encapsulates the strategic, God-directed arrivals that punctuate the New Testament narrative. Whether heralding messengers, opening mission fields, or unveiling the High Priest in glory, each occurrence reminds the Church that the Lord advances His purposes through people who obediently show up. Forms and Transliterations παραγέγονα παραγέγονας παραγεγόνασιν παραγεγόνατε παραγέγονεν παραγενέσθαι παραγένεσθαι παραγένεσθε παραγένετο παραγενηθέντες παραγενήθητε παραγένηται παραγενόμεναι παραγενομενοι παραγενόμενοι παραγενομενον παραγενόμενον παραγενομενος παραγενόμενος παραγενόμενός παραγενομενου παραγενομένου παραγενομενους παραγενομένους παραγενωμαι παραγένωμαι παραγενωνται παραγένωνται παραγίνεσθαι παραγίνεσθε παραγινεται παραγίνεται παραγίνομαι παραγινομένης παραγινομένοις παραγινόμενον παραγινομένου παραγίνονται παραγίνου παραγραφίδι Παρεγενετο Παρεγένετο παρεγενήθη παρεγενήθησαν παρεγενήθητε παρεγενομην παρεγενόμην παρεγένομην παρεγενοντο παρεγένοντο παρέγενοντο παρεγένου παρεγίνεται παρεγινοντο παρεγίνοντο paragenomai paragenōmai paragénomai paragénōmai paragenomenoi paragenómenoi paragenomenon paragenómenon paragenomenos paragenómenos paragenómenós paragenomenou paragenoménou paragenomenous paragenoménous paragenontai paragenōntai paragénontai paragénōntai paraginetai paragínetai Paregeneto Paregéneto paregenomen paregenomēn paregenómen paregenómēn paregenonto paregénonto pareginonto paregínontoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:1 V-AIM-3PGRK: ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ἰεροσόλυμα NAS: from the east arrived in Jerusalem, KJV: behold, there came wise men INT: from [the] east arrived at Jerusalem Matthew 3:1 V-PIM/P-3S Matthew 3:13 V-PIM/P-3S Mark 14:43 V-PIM/P-3S Luke 7:4 V-APM-NMP Luke 7:20 V-APM-NMP Luke 8:19 V-AIM-3S Luke 11:6 V-AIM-3S Luke 12:51 V-AIM-1S Luke 14:21 V-APM-NMS Luke 19:16 V-AIM-3S Luke 22:52 V-APM-AMP John 3:23 V-IIM-3P John 8:2 V-AIM-3S Acts 5:21 V-APM-NMS Acts 5:22 V-APM-NMP Acts 5:25 V-APM-NMS Acts 9:26 V-APM-NMS Acts 9:39 V-APM-AMS Acts 10:33 V-APM-NMS Acts 11:23 V-APM-NMS Acts 13:14 V-AIM-3P Acts 14:27 V-APM-NMP Acts 15:4 V-APM-NMP Acts 17:10 V-APM-NMP Strong's Greek 3854 |