4940. suntugchanó

Lexical Summary

suntugchanó: To meet with, to encounter

Original Word: συντυγχάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: suntugchanó
Pronunciation: soon-toong-khan'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (soon-toong-khan'-o)
KJV: come at
NASB: get
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G5177 (τυγχάνω - perhaps)]

1. to chance together, i.e. meet with (reach)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to meet with, join

From sun and tugchano; to chance together, i.e. Meet with (reach) -- come at.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK tugchano

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sun and tugchanó
Definition
to meet with
NASB Translation
get (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4940: συντυγχάνω

συντυγχάνω: 2 aorist infinitive συντυχεῖν; from (Sophocles), Herodotus down; to meet with, come to (A. V. come at) one: with a dative of the person, Luke 8:19.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Overview

Strong’s Greek Number 4940 designates the act of coming face-to-face with someone, of gaining personal access or audience. The single New Testament occurrence highlights both the desire to approach the Lord Jesus Christ and the obstacles that can stand in the way of such an approach.

Biblical Occurrence

Luke 8:19: “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd.”

Context in Luke 8

1. Narrative Flow. The verse stands between the Parable of the Lamp (Luke 8:16–18) and the calming of the storm (Luke 8:22–25). Both surrounding sections emphasize hearing and obeying the word of Christ.
2. Immediate Setting. Physical relatives arrive, expecting the social privilege normally accorded to family. The press of people blocks their access. Jesus answers by redefining family in spiritual terms: “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21)
3. Literary Purpose. Luke employs the incident to illustrate that relationship with Jesus is ultimately determined not by bloodline or proximity but by responsive obedience.

Theological Implications

• Spiritual Kinship. The inability of His earthly family to “reach Him” prepares for the declaration that disciples who obey the Father’s word enjoy a bond even closer than biological ties.
• Invitation and Warning. The verb subtly reinforces that anyone may draw near, yet human crowds, social expectations, or misplaced priorities can hinder genuine encounter.
• Christological Emphasis. Jesus is presented as the central figure to whom all must come; His authority supersedes traditional structures, including family hierarchy.
• Ecclesiological Insight. The church, comprised of those who hear and do, becomes the new household of God (Ephesians 2:19).

Historical and Cultural Background

First-century Mediterranean culture prized family honor and obligation. A mother and brothers arriving together would normally expect immediate access and preferential treatment. Luke’s report that “they were unable” would have jarred original hearers. It underlines the magnetic pull of Jesus’ ministry and the radical reordering of loyalties required of His followers (cf. Matthew 10:37).

Ministry Significance

1. Accessibility of Christ. Physical nearness does not guarantee spiritual communion; believers today must cultivate hearing hearts.
2. Barriers to Encounter. Crowds symbolize busyness, cultural noise, and external pressures. Ministers help remove such barriers by pointing people directly to the Savior.
3. Redefining Community. Churches should mirror the Lord’s definition of family, welcoming all who submit to the word, regardless of background.
4. Prioritizing Obedience. Effective discipleship stresses doing the will of God as the authentic proof of relationship.

Related Concepts and Complementary Texts

• Drawing Near: Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:22.
• Spiritual Family: Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 3:15.
• Hearing and Doing: James 1:22–25; Matthew 7:24–27.
• Removing Obstacles: Mark 2:4 (friends removing the roof); Luke 19:3–4 (Zacchaeus overcoming the crowd).

Historical Reception

Early Christian writers such as Tertullian and Chrysostom cited Luke 8:19–21 to emphasize the primacy of obedience over ancestry. Reformers likewise saw in the passage a safeguard against any tradition that would elevate human status above submission to Scripture.

Application for Today

Believers are encouraged to examine what “crowds”—habits, schedules, social expectations—keep them from direct fellowship with Christ. Congregations can foster environments where God’s word is both heard and practiced, ensuring that every seeker can, by grace, “reach Him” unhindered.

Summary

Strong’s 4940 spotlights a single moment that encapsulates a profound truth: genuine relationship with Jesus is open to all who receive and obey His word, yet it demands deliberate movement past whatever crowds may stand in the way.

Forms and Transliterations

συντυχειν συντυχείν συντυχεῖν suntuchein syntychein syntycheîn

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 8:19 V-ANA
GRK: οὐκ ἠδύναντο συντυχεῖν αὐτῷ διὰ
NAS: to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because
KJV: could not come at him for
INT: not they were able to get to him because of

Strong's Greek 4940
1 Occurrence

συντυχεῖν — 1 Occ.