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συνακολουθέω

synakolouthéō

G4870 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To accompany closely, to go along with someone or something, to follow in company with others. In broader contexts, may indicate joining or associating oneself with a group or an individual as they move.

Semantic Range

to accompany, go along with, follow closely together, join in following, associate in going with

Root / Etymology

Formed from the preposition σύν ('with, together') and the verb ἀκολουθέω ('to follow'), thus meaning 'to follow with' or 'to accompany.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and post-classical Greek, συνακολουθέω is relatively rare, with most attestations occurring in later and Hellenistic Greek. In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 5:37, Luke 23:49), the word depicts the act of accompanying someone—often with a sense of joining a group following a central figure (such as Yeshua). The term conveys more than simply following; it implies close association, togetherness, or participation alongside others. English versions often translate this simply as 'follow,' but this can obscure the sense of close company or shared participation conveyed by the compound with σύν. Where ἀκολουθέω alone can mean to follow or be a disciple, συνακολουθέω stresses the act of following as part of a group or in shared company, emphasizing the communal aspect. The nuance is important in distinguishing solitary from corporate following, especially in narrative scenes of the Gospels.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἀκολουθέω; to accompany:--follow.

Root Family

συνακολουθ- (synakolouthéō) — to accompany, to follow with, to go along with

Root συνακολουθ- to accompany, to follow with, to go along with

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4870-01 συνακολουθῆσαι sunakolouthesai V AOR ACT INF to follow to accompany to accompany 1
G4870-02 συνακολουθοῦσαι sunakolouthousai V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL who had followed accompanying accompanying 1
G4870-03 συνηκολούθει sunekolouthei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG was following was accompanying was accompanying 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4870-01 Mark 5:37 συνακολουθῆσαι sunakolouthesai V AOR ACT INF to follow to accompany to accompany
G4870-03 Mark 14:51 συνηκολούθει sunekolouthei V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG was following was accompanying was accompanying
G4870-02 Luke 23:49 συνακολουθοῦσαι sunakolouthousai V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL who had followed accompanying accompanying
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