Lexical Summary paralios: By the sea, coastal Original Word: παραλίος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sea coast. From para and hals; beside the salt (sea), i.e. Maritime -- sea coast. see GREEK para see GREEK hals NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and the same as halieus Definition by the sea, the sea coast NASB Translation coastal region (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3882: παράλιοςπαράλιος, παράλιον, also of three term. (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 11, 1) (παρά and ἅλς), by the sea, maritime: ἡ παράλιος, namely, χώρα, the sea-coast, Luke 6:17 (Polybius 3, 39, 3; Diodorus 3, 15, 41; Josephus, contra Apion 1, 12; the Sept. Deuteronomy 33:19; and the feminine form ἡ παραλία in Deuteronomy 1:7; Joshua 9:1; Judith 1:7 Judith 3:6 Judith 5:2, 23 Judith 7:8; 1 Macc. 11:8 1 Macc. 15:38; Herodotus 7, 185; often in Polybius; Josephus, Antiquities 12, 7, 1). Topical Lexicon Geographical settingThe single New Testament appearance of παραλίου situates the reader in the maritime corridor of Tyre and Sidon (Luke 6:17). This stretch of Phoenician shoreline formed a vital trade artery linking Galilee with the wider Mediterranean world. Its bustling ports, cosmopolitan populace, and constant flow of merchants made the region a cultural bridge between Jew and Gentile. When Luke identifies the crowd as coming “from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon”, he signals that news of Jesus had already leapt beyond the inland confines of Judea into a distinctly Gentile coastal environment. Occasion in Luke Luke 6 records Jesus’ descent from the mountain after a night of prayer and His appointment of the Twelve. The coastal delegation that joins the multitude underscores the breadth of His appeal: “Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, and a great number of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases.” (Luke 6:17) The Gospel writer silently weaves together three regions—Judea, Jerusalem, and the seaside Phoenician coast—foreshadowing the worldwide scope of the coming kingdom. The mention of παραλίου immediately precedes the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), meaning Gentile ears were present as Jesus pronounced kingdom blessings and ethical demands. Historical background of Tyre and Sidon These ancient Phoenician cities were famed for maritime prowess (Ezekiel 27:1-4) and for supplying cedar to Israel’s builders (1 Kings 5:1-9). By the first century they lay within the Roman province of Syria, but their commercial influence reached throughout the empire. Josephus records that Galileans regularly traded in this coastal strip, explaining how word of Jesus could travel quickly along well-trodden economic routes. Biblical-theological resonance 1. Foreshadowing Gentile inclusion Prophetic texts often speak of “the coastlands” awaiting the Lord’s law (Isaiah 42:4; Isaiah 51:5). Luke’s single use of παραλίου aligns with these promises: the coastline that once symbolized distant nations now supplies eager listeners for the Messiah. 2. Continuity with earlier scenes Mark 3:7-8 parallels Luke’s notice, pairing “people from Galilee, Judea… and the region of Tyre and Sidon.” The evangelists independently testify that Jesus’ ministry drew interest from outside ethnic Israel even before the explicit Gentile missions of Acts 10 and following. 3. Anticipation of Acts Luke will later recount the gospel’s movement along coastal cities—Caesarea (Acts 10:1, Acts 10:24), Tyre (Acts 21:3-6), and Ptolemais (Acts 21:7). The solitary παραλίου in the Gospel thus functions as a narrative seed that blossoms in the Acts account of coastal evangelization. Ministry implications • Strategic hubs: Coastal cities, then as now, often function as cultural crossroads. Luke’s snapshot encourages modern gospel work that targets international ports, university towns, and commercial centers where ideas and people converge. • Receptivity among outsiders: The seashore crowd traveled considerable distance “to hear Him and to be healed.” Their initiative reminds the church that spiritual hunger may surface in unexpected populations—those considered socially or ethnically distant. • Holistic concern: Jesus both “taught” and “healed” the coastal visitors (Luke 6:18-19). Faithful mission embraces word and deed, addressing spiritual and physical needs without dichotomy. Connection to Old Testament imagery The Hebrew prophets personified distant coastlands as attentive witnesses to God’s redemptive acts (Isaiah 60:9; Jeremiah 31:10). Luke’s single employment of παραλίου allows the evangelist to echo that imagery subtly, affirming that the Servant’s light is dawning on regions long foretold. Typological insight Sea-fringed territories, once associated with commerce, idolatry, and occasional hostility toward Israel (Joel 3:4), now send representatives to Christ. The shoreline thus becomes a living parable: that which once imported foreign gods receives the true revelation from Israel’s God. Contemporary application Just as the first-century Phoenician coast funneled seekers toward Jesus, today’s globalized “coastlines”—digital platforms, international business corridors, refugee transit points—present unparalleled opportunities for gospel proclamation. The church, like her Lord, must be prepared to minister on the cultural margins where diverse peoples converge. Summary Παραλίου appears only once, yet its presence is loaded with narrative and theological weight. It testifies that from the very outset of Jesus’ public ministry, the message of the kingdom resonated beyond Jewish soil, touching the coastal Gentile world and previewing the universal harvest promised in Scripture. Forms and Transliterations παραλία παραλίαν παραλίας παράλιον παράλιος παραλιου παραλίου παραλίους paraliou paralíouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |