Original Word: πέραν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: peran
Pronunciation: peh'-ran
Phonetic Spelling: (per'-an)
KJV: beyond, farther (other) side, over
NASB: other side, beyond, cross, over
Word Origin: [apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro "to pierce"]

1. through, i.e. across
{as adverb or preposition}

beyond, further, over.

Apparently accusative case of an obsolete derivative of peiro (to "pierce"); through (as adverb or preposition), i.e. Across -- beyond, farther (other) side, over.

Word Origin
akin to pera (on the further side)
Definition
on the other side
NASB Translation
beyond (8), cross (1), other side (13), over (1).

STRONGS NT 4008: περαιτέρω

περαιτέρω (from περαίτερος, comparitive of πέρα), adverb, from Aeschylus down, further, beyond, besides: Acts 19:39 L Tr WH, for R G περί ἑτέρων. With this compare οὐδέν ζητήσετέ περαιτέρω, Plato, Phaedo,

c. 56, at the end, p. 107 b.

STRONGS NT 4008: πέρανπέραν, Ionic and epic περην, adv, from Homer down; the Sept. for עֵבֶר; beyond, on the other side;

a. τό πέραν, the region beyond, the opposite shore: Matthew 8:18, 28; Matthew 14:22; Matthew 16:5; Mark 4:35; Mark 5:21; Mark 6:45; Mark 8:13.

b. joined (like a preposition) with a genitive (Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6): πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης, John 6:22, 25; πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Matthew 4:15; Matthew 19:1; (Mark 10:1 L T Tr WH); John 1:28; John 3:26; with verbs of going it marks direction toward a place (over, beyond) John 6:1, 17; John 10:40; John 18:1; of the place whence (Matthew 4:25); Mark 3:8. τό πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης, Mark 5:1; (τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Mark 10:1 R G); τῆς λίμνης, Luke 13:22 (τοῦ ποταμοῦ, Xenophon, an. 3, 5, 2). (See Sophocles, Lexicon, under the word.)

Meaning and Nuances in Context

Strong’s 4008 (πέραν with the cognate adverb περαιτέρω) marks a spatial or figurative boundary: “the other side,” “across,” “beyond,” or “further.” Scripture employs the term to indicate movement across a body of water, a political border, or a conceptual limit that must be surpassed.

Geographical Usage in the New Testament

1. Seas and Lakes – The word often frames crossings of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:18; Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22; John 6:1).
2. The Jordan River – “Beyond the Jordan” became shorthand for the Transjordan territory (Matthew 4:15; Mark 3:8; John 1:28).
3. The Kidron Valley – John 18:1 applies the word to a short but decisive crossing from Jerusalem to Gethsemane.
4. Asia Minor Civic Boundaries – περαιτέρω in Acts 19:39 (“anything further”) pushes a legal discussion into another jurisdiction, hinting that “beyond” can be administrative as well as geographic.

Jesus’ Galilean Ministry on the Other Side

Crossings of the lake punctuate the Synoptic narrative and structure discipleship lessons:
• Matthew 8:18—A deliberate transition into stormy waters precedes teaching on true followership.
• Mark 5:1—Deliverance of the Gerasene demoniac demonstrates authority in Gentile territory.
• Mark 6:45; 8:13—Repeated crossings test the disciples’ perception of Christ’s identity and provision.

Beyond the Jordan: A Hub of Repentance and Renewal

John situates John the Baptist’s witness “beyond the Jordan” (John 1:28; 3:26; 10:40), a region associated with repentance, prophetic transition, and divine affirmation. Jesus deliberately returns there after conflict in Jerusalem, underscoring that authentic faith often flourishes outside religious centers.

Mission to the Gentiles

Matthew 4:15 cites Isaiah: “Galilee of the Gentiles”. “Beyond Jordan” signals a Messianic light dawning on peoples historically outside Israel’s covenant blessings. Every lake crossing into Decapolis or Gerasa rehearses this outward thrust, previewing the Great Commission.

Symbolic and Theological Resonances

1. Crossing as Exodus Motif – Each passage evokes Israel’s earlier crossings (Red Sea, Jordan) and forecasts the ultimate passage from death to life through Christ.
2. Boundary Breaking – Whether spatial (sea, river) or social (Jew–Gentile), πέραν accents salvation that transcends human barriers.
3. Eschatological Movement – Jesus moves persistently “to the other side,” portraying the in-breaking kingdom that advances toward every tribe and tongue.

Acts and the Expansion Beyond

The forensic use in Acts 19:39 (“anything further”) mirrors the Church’s missionary impulse. Paul’s gospel will soon move “further” west, illustrating how the term quietly anticipates geographical enlargement of witness.

The Discipleship Motif of Crossing Over

Every command to go πέραν requires trust in Christ amid uncertainty. Storms (Mark 4:35-41), scarcity (Mark 8:13-21), and demonic opposition (Mark 5:1-20) become classrooms where believers learn that obedience demands venturing “across” conventional safety.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

• Obedience often begins with a simple “Let us go across” (Mark 4:35).
• Ministry effectiveness may lie “on the other side” of prejudice, comfort, or fear.
• Repentance and renewal can flourish outside familiar religious spaces, as witnessed “beyond the Jordan.”
• The Savior who leads believers across every boundary also meets them “on the other side” with power, provision, and peace.

Principal References

Matthew 4:15, 4:25, 8:18, 8:28, 14:22, 16:5, 19:1

Mark 3:8, 4:35, 5:1, 5:21, 6:45, 8:13, 10:1

Luke 8:22

John 1:28, 3:26, 6:1, 6:17, 6:22, 6:25, 10:40, 18:1

Acts 19:39

περαιτερω περαιτέρω περαν πέραν peraitero peraiterō peraitéro peraitérō peran péranInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts