παρακαλέω
parakaleō
to plead/comfort
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredParakaleo (G3870) is a Greek verb that involves both pleading and comforting. Its primary meaning is to intercede on someone's behalf, often in a situation where there is a need, such as a request, an apology, or a need for reassurance. This verb has a wide range of usage in the New Testament, appearing in various contexts, including personal interactions, social relationships, and even spiritual guidance. In situations where one party is stronger or has greater authority, parakaleo implies a willingness to take a subordinate position and plead for a change, such as in the case of a subordinate requesting a change in circumstances. Conversely, in situations of power imbalances, parakaleo denotes empowerment and support, as in the case of a spiritual leader interceding for a follower. The significance of parakaleo rests in its nuanced portrayal of power and vulnerability. On one hand, it shows a willingness to acknowledge and respect the needs and boundaries of others; on the other hand, it underscores the value of seeking help and guidance when necessary. This dynamic is evident in the numerous instances where parakaleo is used in the context of prayer, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
109 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 8:5When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him,
Matthew 8:31The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”
Matthew 8:34Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
Matthew 14:36and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
Matthew 18:29“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
Matthew 18:32Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.
Matthew 26:53Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mark 1:40A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”
Mark 5:10He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Mark 5:12All the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
Mark 5:17They began to beg him to depart from their region.
Mark 5:18As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:23and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
Mark 6:56Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
Mark 7:32They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him.
Mark 8:22He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.
Luke 3:18Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
Luke 7:4When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him,
Luke 8:31They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.
Luke 8:32Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. Then he allowed them.
Luke 8:41Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house,
Luke 15:28But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.
Luke 16:25“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted, and you are in anguish.
Acts 2:40With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
Acts 8:31He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
Acts 9:38As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
Acts 11:23who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
Acts 13:42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
Acts 15:32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
Acts 16:9A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:15When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
Acts 16:39and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.
Acts 16:40They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, then departed.
Acts 19:31Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
Acts 20:1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
Acts 20:2When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
Acts 21:12When we heard these things, both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Acts 24:4But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
Acts 25:2Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,
Acts 27:33While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
Acts 27:34Therefore I beg you to take some food; for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.”
Acts 28:14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
Acts 28:20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Romans 12:8or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 15:30Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
Romans 16:17Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.