καταλαμβάνωkatalambánō
to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
Greek (New Testament) · G2638
Meanings
1. to lay hold of, seize, appropriate: Mark 9:18; with accusative of thing, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 3:12, Philippians 3:13.
2. to overtake: as carrel. of διώκω, Romans 9:30; ἡ ἡμέρα, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; of evils, John 1:5, John 12:35 (cf. John 6:17 T); hence, to surprise, discover: John 8:3, John 8:4
3. Of mental action, to apprehend, comprehend; so middle, in NT: Ephesians 3:18; followed by ὅτι, Acts 4:13, Acts 10:34; with accusative et infinitive, Acts 25:25.
Same root
Where it appears
Appears 13 times in the Bible.
- Mark 9:18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”
- John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
- John 12:35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.
- Acts 4:13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
- Acts 10:34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.
- Acts 25:25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.