Original Word: προάγω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proagó
Pronunciation: pro-ag'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-ag'-o)
KJV: bring (forth, out), go before
NASB: go ahead, going ahead, before, bring, bring forward, brought, brought before
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G71 (ἄγω - brought)]

1. to lead forward (magisterially)
2. (intransitively) to precede (in place or time)
3. (participle) previous

bring forth, go before.

From pro and ago; to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous)) -- bring (forth, out), go before.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK ago

Word Origin
from pro and agó
Definition
to lead forth, to go before
NASB Translation
before (1), bring (1), bring...forward (1), brought (1), brought...before (1), former (1), get (1), go ahead (4), goes too far (1), going ahead (3), going before (1), led the way (1), previously made (1), walking on ahead (1), went in front (1), went on before (1).

STRONGS NT 4254: προάγω

προάγω; imperfect προῆγον; future προάξω; 2 aorist προήγαγον; from Herodotus down;

1. transitive, to lead forward, lead forth: τινα, one from a place in which he has lain hidden from view,—as from prison, ἔξω, Acts 16:30; (from Jason's house, Acts 17:5 L T Tr WH); in a forensic sense, to bring one forth to trial, Acts 12:6 (WH text προσαγαγεῖν); with addition of ἐπί and the genitive of the person about to examine into the case, before whom the hearing is to be had, Acts 25:26 (εἰς τήν δίκην, Josephus, b. j. 1, 27, 2; εἰς ἐκκλησίαν τούς ἐν αἰτία γενομένους, Antiquities 16, 11, 7).

2. intransitive (see ἄγω, 4 (and cf. πρό, d. α.)), a. to go before: Luke 18:39 (L marginal reading of παράγοντες); opposed to ἀκολουθέω, Matthew 21:9 R G; Mark 11:9; followed by εἰς with an accusative of place, Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45; εἰς κρίσιν, 1 Timothy 5:24 (on which passage see ἐπακολουθέω); participle προάγων, preceding i. e. prior in point of time, previous, 1 Timothy 1:18 (see προφητεία at the end, and under the word ἐπί, C. I. 2 g.γ. γγ. (but R. V. marginal reading led the way to, etc.)); Hebrews 7:18. τινα, to precede one, Matthew 2:9; Mark 10:32; and L T Tr WH in Matthew 21:9 (cf. Josephus, b. j. 6, 1, 6; Buttmann, § 130, 4); followed by εἰς with an accusative of place, Matthew 26:32; Matthew 28:7; Mark 14:28; Mark 16:7; τινα εἰς τήν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, to take precedence of one in entering into the kingdom of God, Matthew 21:31 (cf. Buttmann, 201 (177)).

b. to proceed, go forward: in a bad sense, to go further than is right or proper, equivalent to μή μένειν ἐν τῇ διδαχή, to transgress the limits of true doctrine (cf. our colloquial, 'advanced' (views, etc.) in a disparaging sense), 2 John 1:9 L T Tr WH (but R. V. marginal reading taketh the lead).

Meaning and Nuance

Strong’s Greek 4254 portrays the action of moving or leading ahead of another—whether literally in space, chronologically in time, or figuratively in influence. Because Scripture sees history as linear and purposeful under God’s sovereignty, this verb often highlights divine initiative, human response, and the moral consequences that “go before” or “follow after.”

Occurrences in the Synoptic Gospels

1. Jesus as the Shepherd-Leader
• After predicting His resurrection, Jesus assures the disciples, “After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” (Matthew 26:32; Mark 14:28).
• On resurrection morning the angel repeats, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee” (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:7).

These statements emphasize Christ’s faithfulness to lead His people into new life and mission.

2. The Star and the Infant King

“The star they had seen in the east went on before them until it stood over the place where the Child was” (Matthew 2:9). The heavenly sign models divine guidance that precedes obedient seekers.

3. The Feeding of the Five Thousand and the Walk on the Water

Jesus “made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side” (Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45). While they rowed, He prayed and later came to them—underscoring that obedience sometimes means venturing forth before He is visibly present, yet never outside His care.

4. The Road to Jerusalem

“Jesus was walking on ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid” (Mark 10:32). His deliberate advance toward the cross dramatizes courageous, self-sacrificial leadership.

5. The Triumphal Entry

The crowds “went ahead of Him” crying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9). Here the verb pictures joyful proclamation preparing the way for the Messiah.

6. Parable of the Two Sons

Jesus tells the chief priests that repentant tax collectors and prostitutes “are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31), proving that heartfelt repentance precedes religious privilege.

Johannine Usage

In 2 John 1:9 the verb warns against doctrinal presumption: “Anyone who runs ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” Innovation that outruns apostolic truth forfeits fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Deliverance and Inquiry

Peter chained between soldiers awaited execution until the angel “was about to bring him out” (Acts 12:6).

The Thessalonian mob “brought Jason and some brothers before the city officials” (Acts 17:5).

The Philippian jailer “brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” (Acts 16:30).

Festus admits to King Agrippa, “I have nothing definite to write… about him, therefore I have brought him before you” (Acts 25:26).

Each scene shows God overruling human plans as events are brought forward into the open for gospel witness.

Pastoral Epistles

1. Good and Evil Preceding Judgment

“The sins of some men are obvious, leading them to judgment, but the sins of others do not surface until later. In the same way, good works are obvious, and even the ones that are not cannot remain hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24-25, thought completed from context). Deeds that “go before” expose character and influence eternal verdicts.

2. Prophetic Charge to Timothy

Paul recalls “the prophecies previously spoken about you” (1 Timothy 1:18), encouraging Timothy that God’s prior word provides present courage.

Hebrews

“The former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness” (Hebrews 7:18). Here the earlier Mosaic statute “preceded” the superior priesthood of Christ; its abrogation underscores the once-for-all sufficiency of the new covenant.

Luke

As blind Bartimaeus cries for mercy, “those who were leading the way rebuked him” (Luke 18:39). Leadership that outruns compassion stands corrected by Jesus, who halts to heal.

Theological Themes

• Divine Initiative: God often moves first—through a guiding star, a resurrected Savior, or a prophetic word—calling His people to follow in faith.
• Prepared Pathways: Whether crowds extol Christ, or disciples sail ahead of Him, human activity can prepare hearts for His arrival.
• Accountability: Deeds and doctrines that “go before” ultimately meet the searching gaze of God’s judgment.
• Supremacy of Christ: The setting aside of the earlier commandment in Hebrews magnifies the pre-eminent, forward-leading ministry of Jesus our High Priest.

Practical Application for Ministry

1. Leaders follow Christ’s pattern by stepping ahead in obedience while anchoring others to His promises.
2. Teachers guard against “running ahead” of apostolic doctrine, ensuring innovation never eclipses revelation.
3. Believers examine what precedes them—habits, reputation, teaching—so that their “good works go before” and glorify the Father.
4. The church proclaims Christ in word and worship, “going ahead” of Him in testimony so that all may recognize the King when He comes.

Thus Strong’s 4254 richly portrays the gracious advance of God’s purposes and the responsive forward movement of His people throughout the New Testament narrative.

προαγαγειν προαγαγεῖν προαγαγων προαγαγών προαγαγὼν προαγει προάγει προαγειν προάγειν προαγοντες προάγοντες προαγουσαι προάγουσαι προαγουσας προαγούσας προαγουσης προαγούσης προαγουσιν προάγουσιν προαγων προάγων προαιρέσει προαιρέσεις προαιρέσεως προαίρεσις προάξει προαξω προάξω προηγαγον προήγαγον προηγεν προήγεν προῆγεν προήχθη proagagein proagageîn proagagon proagagōn proagagṑn proagei proágei proagein proágein proagon proagōn proágon proágōn proagontes proágontes proagousai proágousai proagousas proagoúsas proagouses proagousēs proagoúses proagoúsēs proagousin proágousin proaxo proaxō proáxo proáxō proegagon proēgagon proḗgagon proegen proêgen proēgen proē̂genInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts