Brief Overview of συναναβαίνω (Strong’s G4872: synanabainō)

Strong’s G4872: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀνά (up), and βαίνω (to go), meaning to go up together with. In NT usage, it specifically describes those who accompanied Jesus on His final journey to Jerusalem, emphasizing shared pilgrimage and faithful companionship.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναναβαίνω represents a significant act of spiritual companionship and pilgrimage. As a compound word, it combines the concepts of togetherness, upward movement, and journeying, creating a term that emphasizes shared sacred journey. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts of accompanying Jesus to Jerusalem and describes those who journeyed with Him from Galilee. The early church understood this term as representing both physical and spiritual accompaniment on the journey of faith. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of Christian discipleship as a shared journey upward toward God’s purposes.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναναβαίνω, synanabainō, /soon-an-ab-AY-no/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + an (as in ‘on’) + ab (as in ‘ab’) + AY (as in ‘day’) + no (as in ‘no’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀνά (ana): prefix meaning “up, upward”
• βαίνω (bainō): root verb meaning “to go, walk, step”

D – Defining Meanings

• To go up together with
• To ascend in company with
• To journey upward together
• To accompany on an upward journey
• To make pilgrimage together

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes joint participation, ἀνά indicates upward direction, and βαίνω contributes the concept of movement or journey, creating a word that describes shared upward travel.

Translation Options:

1. “To go up with” – Best captures both movement and companionship
2. “To ascend together” – Emphasizes the upward nature of the journey
3. “To journey upward together” – Highlights both companionship and direction

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀναβαίνω (anabainō) /an-ab-AY-no/ – to go up alone. See G305
• συμπορεύομαι (symporeuomai) /sim-por-YOO-om-ahee/ – to journey together. See G4848
• συνέρχομαι (synerchomai) /soon-ER-khom-ahee/ – to come together. See G4905

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (present), Perfective (aorist), Stative (perfect)

Example morphological changes:

• Present Active: συναναβαίνω (I go up with)
• Aorist Active: συνανέβην (I went up with)
• Perfect Active: συναναβέβηκα (I have gone up with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the shared journey aspect. Thayer’s notes its use in pilgrimage contexts. LSJ provides evidence of use in describing joint expeditions. Vine’s connects it to faithful companionship. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of joint upward movement. LEH notes its use in describing religious processions. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing pilgrimage groups.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Mark 15:41: “who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up [συναναβᾶσαι] with Him to Jerusalem.”

Additional References:
Acts 13:31

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναναβαίνω beautifully captures the essence of Christian discipleship as a shared journey upward. The good news of King Jesus invites us not just to follow Him individually but to journey together with fellow believers toward His purposes. This word reminds us that the path to Jerusalem – both literal and spiritual – is meant to be traveled in community, supporting and encouraging one another as we follow our Lord.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears specifically in contexts of pilgrimage to Jerusalem
2. It was used to describe women who faithfully followed Jesus to the cross
3. Early church writings used this term to describe spiritual mentorship journeys

Strong’s G4872: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀνά (up), and βαίνω (to go), meaning to go up together with. In NT usage, it specifically describes those who accompanied Jesus on His final journey to Jerusalem, emphasizing shared pilgrimage and faithful companionship.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: pilgrimage, journey, companionship, discipleship, Jerusalem, upward journey, spiritual journey, faithful following, community, shared path, sacred journey, Christian pilgrimage​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​