κάθημαι
kathēmai
to sit
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word κάθημαι (kathēmai), translated as "to sit," is a fundamental verb in the New Testament language, appearing 91 times in the Bible. Its primary meaning is straightforward, referring to the physical act of sitting. However, its usage is more nuanced, encompassing various contexts such as sitting on a throne (e.g., Matthew 5:34), reclining at a meal (e.g., Matthew 9:10), or simply resting (e.g., Mark 6:31). This word's significant frequency and range of usage suggest its importance in conveying social, cultural, and power dynamics in the biblical narrative. For instance, in ancient Greek culture, sitting was a sign of authority, respect, or intimacy. In the biblical context, κάθηmai can imply the exercise of authority, as seen in Jesus' teaching on the throne of God (Matthew 5:34). Conversely, reclining at a meal, as depicted in the Gospel accounts, highlights the social and communal aspects of eating and fellowship. The prevalence of κάθημαι in the New Testament underscores its significance in the authors' linguistic and rhetorical strategies. By using this word, the writers could convey subtle shades of meaning, inviting readers to engage with the narrative and its themes on a deeper level.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
91 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
Matthew 4:16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
Matthew 9:9As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him.
Matthew 11:16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
Matthew 13:1On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.
Matthew 13:2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 15:29Jesus departed from there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there.
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Matthew 22:44‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’
Matthew 23:22He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.
Matthew 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 26:58But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.
Matthew 26:64Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”
Matthew 26:69Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”
Matthew 27:19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”
Matthew 27:36and they sat and watched him there.
Matthew 27:61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Matthew 28:2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.
Mark 2:6But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mark 2:14As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.
Mark 3:32A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you.”
Mark 3:34Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
Mark 4:1Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea.
Mark 5:15They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.
Mark 10:46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.
Mark 12:36For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” ’
Mark 13:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 14:62Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”
Mark 16:5Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
Luke 1:79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 5:17On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them.
Luke 5:27After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”
Luke 7:32They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’
Luke 8:35People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
Luke 10:13“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Luke 18:35As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
Luke 20:42David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
Luke 21:35For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth.
Luke 22:30that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 22:55When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.
Luke 22:56A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
Luke 22:69From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
John 2:14He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.
John 6:3Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples.
John 9:8The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?”
John 12:15“Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
Acts 2:2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:34For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand
Acts 3:10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.