4922. sunodeuó

Lexical Summary

sunodeuó: To accompany, to travel with

Original Word: συνοδεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sunodeuó
Pronunciation: soo-no-DEH-vo
Phonetic Spelling: (soon-od-yoo'-o)
KJV: journey with
NASB: traveled
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G3593 (ὁδεύω - journey)]

1. to travel in company with

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

journey with.

From sun and hodeuo; to travel in company with -- journey with.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK hodeuo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sun and hodeuó
Definition
to journey with
NASB Translation
traveled (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4922: συνοδεύω

συνοδεύω; to journey with, travel in company with: with a dative of the person, Acts 9:7. (Herodian, 4, 7, 11 (6 edition, Bekker), Lucian, Plutarch, others; Wis. 6:25.)

Topical Lexicon

Occurrence and Narrative Setting

The single New Testament appearance of Strong’s Greek 4922 lies in Acts 9:7, where Luke records, “The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the voice but did not see anyone” (Acts 9:7). The verb describes the companions who were journeying alongside Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus at the very moment of his life-altering encounter with the risen Jesus Christ.

Witnesses to Divine Intervention

1. Verification of Revelation
• Scripture consistently employs multiple witnesses to establish truth (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1). The fellow travelers provide external confirmation that a real, audible phenomenon occurred, guarding the historicity of Saul’s conversion against later skepticism.
• Although they do not perceive the heavenly vision in its fullness, their presence underscores that God’s dealings with individuals are never isolated from the wider covenant community.

2. Contrast of Perception
• Saul alone beholds the blinding glory, while his companions hear the sound. This juxtaposition illustrates that divine revelation is both objective and selective—God grants differing measures of insight according to His purposes (compare Daniel 10:7; John 12:28-29).
• The event foreshadows Saul’s apostleship: the gospel he will preach is validated publicly, yet the call remains uniquely personal.

Historical Context of First-Century Travel

• Long-distance land journeys normally took place in caravans or small bands for protection and provision. Companions shared supplies, navigated Roman roads, and defended one another from brigands (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:26).
• Luke’s mention of travel partners aligns with his careful historiography, framing Saul as a man of social standing with authority letters, not a lone wanderer.
• Their speechlessness underscores the fear that frequently accompanied encounters with the supernatural (Luke 24:5; Revelation 1:17).

Ministry Implications of Companionship

1. Model of Collaborative Mission
• After his conversion, Paul rarely ministered alone: he journeyed with Barnabas (Acts 13:2), Silas (Acts 15:40), Timothy (Acts 16:3), and many others. The initial scene on the Damascus road sets a precedent for team-based gospel advance.
• Jesus sent disciples “two by two” (Mark 6:7), affirming that kingdom work thrives in partnership—offering accountability, encouragement, and shared testimony.

2. Spiritual Accountability
• The companions witness Saul’s initial obedience—being led blind into Damascus (Acts 9:8). Their assistance exemplifies the church’s role in guiding new believers from crisis to community.
• Later, Ananias and the local disciples complete the support network (Acts 9:17-19), showing a seamless continuum of accompaniment in Christian growth.

Theological Themes Highlighted

• Sovereign Initiative: God interrupts plans and redirects journeys (Proverbs 16:9; Acts 16:6-10).
• Communal Faith: Individual revelation feeds corporate edification; the men report what occurred, contributing to Luke’s researched account (Luke 1:3).
• Missionary Momentum: From Damascus outward, Paul’s steps exemplify how early Christian expansion rode the existing infrastructure of shared travel.

Practical Applications for Today

• Seek godly companions in service and pilgrimage; isolation exposes believers to spiritual and physical peril (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
• Offer testimony even when understanding is partial; like Saul’s companions, limited perception can still validate God’s work.
• Embrace interruptions as kingdom opportunities; divine appointments often redirect our planned routes for higher purposes.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4922, though appearing only once, functions as a hinge in redemptive history. It frames Saul’s conversion within communal travel, supplies eyewitness corroboration, and introduces the pattern of shared ministry that will mark the apostle’s life. The term thus echoes a pervasive biblical truth: God calls His people to walk the road together, witnessing to His mighty acts and advancing the gospel in united purpose.

Forms and Transliterations

συνοδευοντες συνοδεύοντες sunodeuontes synodeuontes synodeúontes

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 9:7 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: ἄνδρες οἱ συνοδεύοντες αὐτῷ εἱστήκεισαν
NAS: The men who traveled with him stood
KJV: the men which journeyed with him stood
INT: [the] men who were travelling with him stood

Strong's Greek 4922
1 Occurrence

συνοδεύοντες — 1 Occ.