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παρακολουθέω

parakolouthéō

G3877 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

to follow closely, to pay close attention to, to track or observe attentively; in extended senses, to grasp the development of something, to understand fully, to investigate or study thoroughly. The primary meaning is literal physical following or accompanying at a close distance, but the word most commonly occurs in figurative senses in Koine Greek: following a teaching or narrative with intellectual engagement, tracking events or information with careful attention, or attaining a deep and thorough understanding by diligent study, observation, or investigation.

Semantic Range

to follow physically in close proximity, to attend diligently to (teaching, events, persons), to track or trace the course of something, to investigate thoroughly, to observe with understanding, to comprehend or know thoroughly, to be intimately acquainted with

Root / Etymology

From παρά (beside, along) and ἀκολουθέω (to follow). The compound expresses the notion of following or accompanying someone or something closely and attentively, whether in physical proximity or in the sense of attentive engagement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, παρακολουθέω already carried the sense of following alongside closely, both physically and, by extension, mentally. In the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the figurative senses of diligent attention and careful study became prominent, especially in educational, philosophical, and historiographical contexts (e.g., tracing events, following the logic of an argument, or understanding traditions fully). In the New Testament (cf. Luke 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:10), the term is used to describe both the careful investigation of matters (as with Luke's research for his Gospel) and the thorough following of teachings or ways of life. The range of meaning is generally broader than translations like "attain" or "know," which may not capture the aspect of attentive engagement and ongoing observation. The word does not merely mean "follow" in a physical or uncritical sense, but connotes detailed attention and active understanding. Contrasted with mere hearing or receiving secondhand information, παρακολουθέω implies firsthand familiarity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and ἀκολουθέω; to follow near, i.e. (figuratively) attend (as a result), trace out, conform to:--attain, follow, fully know, have understanding.

Root Family

παρακολουθέω (parakoloutheō) — to follow closely, to attend diligently, to observe attentively, to investigate thoroughly

Root παρακολουθέ- to follow closely, to attend, to observe attentively

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3877-03 παρηκολουθηκότι parekolouthekoti V PRF ACT PTCP DAT M SG having followed closely to the one having closely followed having closely followed 1
G3877-02 παρηκολούθηκας parekolouthekas V PRF ACT IND 2P SG you have followed you have closely followed you have closely followed 1
G3877-04 παρηκολούθησάς parekolouthesas V AOR ACT IND 2P SG have followed you followed closely you followed closely 1
G3877-01 παρακολουθήσει parakolouthesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will follow will closely follow will closely follow 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3877-01 Mark 16:17 παρακολουθήσει parakolouthesei V FUT ACT IND 3P SG will follow will closely follow will closely follow
G3877-03 Luke 1:3 παρηκολουθηκότι parekolouthekoti V PRF ACT PTCP DAT M SG having followed closely to the one having closely followed having closely followed
G3877-02 1 Timothy 4:6 παρηκολούθηκας parekolouthekas V PRF ACT IND 2P SG you have followed you have closely followed you have closely followed
G3877-04 2 Timothy 3:10 παρηκολούθησάς parekolouthesas V AOR ACT IND 2P SG have followed you followed closely you followed closely
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