Original Word: προέρχομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proerchomai
Pronunciation: pro-er'-khom-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (pro-er'-khom-ahee)
KJV: go before (farther, forward), outgo, pass on
NASB: went beyond, go, go on ahead, going ahead, gone on ahead, got there ahead, preceding
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G2064 (ἔρχομαι - came) (including its alternate)]

1. to go onward, precede (in place or time)

precede, go before, pass on.

From pro and erchomai (including its alternate); to go onward, precede (in place or time) -- go before (farther, forward), outgo, pass on.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK erchomai

Word Origin
from pro and erchomai
Definition
to go forward, go on
NASB Translation
go (1), go on ahead (1), going ahead (1), gone on ahead (1), got there ahead (1), preceding (1), went...beyond (2), went along (1).

STRONGS NT 4281: προέρχομαι

προέρχομαι: imperfect προηρχομην; future προελεύσομαι; 2 aorist προῆλθον; from Herodotus down;

1. to go forward, go on: μικρόν, a little, Matthew 26:39 (here T Tr WH marginal reading προσελθών (which see in a.)); Mark 14:35 (Tr WH marginal reading προσελθών); with an accusative of the way, Acts 12:10 (Xenophon, Cyril 2, 4, 18; Plato, rep. 1, p. 328 e.; 10, p. 616 b.).

2. to go before; i. e., a. to go before, precede (locally; German vorangehen): ἐνώπιον τίνος, Luke 1:17 ((ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, Genesis 33:3), WH marginal reading προσελευσαντες which see in a.); τίνος, to precede one, Luke 22:47 Rec. ((Judith 2:19)); τινα, ibid. G L T Tr WH (not so construed in secular writings; cf. Buttmann, 144 (126); Fritzsche, Ep. ad Romans, iii., p. 70; (Winers Grammar, § 52, 4, 13); but in Latin we findantecedere, anteire,praeire, aliquem, and in Greek writings πρόθειν τινα; see προηγέομαι); to outgo, outstrip (Latinpraecurrere, antevertere aliquem; for which the Greeks say φθάνειν τινα), Mark 6:33.

b. to go before, i. e. (set out) in advance of another (German vorausgehen): Acts 20:5 (Tr WH text προσελθόντες); εἰς (L Tr πρός) ὑμᾶς, unto (as far as to) you, 2 Corinthians 9:5; ἐπί τό πλοῖον, to the ship, Acts 20:13 (Tr WH marginal reading προσελθόντες).

Conceptual Overview

The verb translated in English as “go on ahead” or “precede” appears nine times in the New Testament. In every setting it highlights purposeful movement that anticipates others, whether in physical travel, spiritual mission, or practical ministry. The idea of someone or something “going before” another person or event underscores God’s orderly design: preparation always precedes fulfillment, leadership precedes followership, and grace precedes response.

Occurrences and Narrative Settings

1. Mark 6:33; Acts 12:10 – crowds and an angel “go on ahead,” illustrating the rapid spread of interest in Christ and the supernatural aid afforded to His servants.
2. Luke 1:17 – John the Baptist “will go on before Him,” heralding the Messiah.
3. Luke 22:47; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35 – the verb frames the Garden of Gethsemane scene, marking Christ’s solitary advance into prayer and suffering.
4. Acts 20:5, 20:13 – mission companions move ahead of Paul, arranging travel logistics.
5. 2 Corinthians 9:5 – Paul sends brothers ahead to organize the Corinthian offering.

Together, these uses describe anticipation and preparation in three spheres: messianic forerunning, sacrificial devotion, and orderly ministry.

Going Ahead to Prepare the Way

Luke 1:17 concentrates the prophetic weight of the word: “And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children…”. John’s entire calling was to precede Christ, softening hearts and straightening paths. This sets a pattern for every herald of the gospel: authentic ministry prepares people for direct dealings with the Lord rather than drawing them to the messenger.

Precedence in Prayer and Suffering

In Gethsemane the Evangelists note that Jesus “went on a little farther” (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35). The same term marks His deliberate separation from the disciples in order to intercede. He “went ahead” into the darkest hour, foreshadowing the cross that only He could bear. Luke 22:47 uses the imperfect form to picture Judas “drawing near” ahead of the crowd, contrasting Christ’s self-giving advance with the traitor’s self-seeking one. The juxtaposition underscores that every spiritual advance faces opposition, yet the Savior always takes the first step toward redemption.

The Church’s Forward Ministry

Acts 20 records two strategic moments when Paul’s teammates precede him: “These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas” (Acts 20:5) and later, “We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, intending to take Paul onboard there” (20:13). The missionary band practiced wise delegation, allowing advance parties to secure lodging and transport. Their example validates planning in harmony with dependence on the Spirit (Acts 20:22-23).

Likewise, 2 Corinthians 9:5 reveals Paul’s pastoral foresight: “I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised.” Advance organization protected the Corinthians from embarrassment and ensured integrity in handling money. Biblical stewardship values foresight, transparency, and accountability.

Historical and Geographic Backdrop

First-century travel depended on footpaths, Roman roads, and maritime routes often constrained by daylight, weather, and political checkpoints. Sending someone ahead secured provisions and verified safe passage. In agrarian Judea and Galilee, crowds could circle the shoreline faster than rowing boats (Mark 6:33), explaining how they “ran on ahead” of Jesus. In Roman-controlled Jerusalem, iron gates were formidable; Acts 12:10 shows an angel preceding Peter through successive barriers, a striking picture of divine initiative overcoming human imprisonment.

Doctrinal Reflections

1. Divine Initiative: God consistently moves first—whether through John before Jesus, an angel before Peter, or grace before giving. Salvation is rooted in God’s prior action (1 John 4:19).
2. Prepared Hearts: Authentic revival involves groundwork. As John “went before,” so preachers and parents prepare hearts through teaching and example.
3. Leadership by Example: Jesus stepped ahead of the disciples into prayer and suffering, modeling servant leadership (1 Peter 2:21).
4. Orderly Ministry: Paul’s practice of sending men ahead shows that faith is not opposed to planning (Proverbs 16:3; 1 Corinthians 14:40).

Applications for Today

• Ministers should value the often unseen task of preparation—scheduling, budgeting, and mentoring young leaders—all modern parallels to “going ahead.”
• Families can imitate John’s prophetic role by cultivating homes that make Christ’s entrance welcome and natural.
• Believers facing trials may take courage from Christ’s precedent in Gethsemane: He has already walked the lonely path and invites us to follow in trust.
• Churches collecting offerings can glean from Paul’s ethics: independent oversight and advance notice guard unity and testimony.

Summary

Every New Testament occurrence of Strong’s 4281 paints a consistent portrait: God appoints forerunners and advance measures that serve His redemptive purpose. Whether preparing a road for the Messiah, paving the way for missionary labor, or stepping into solitary prayer, the act of “going on ahead” magnifies divine foresight and calls Christ’s followers to intentional, sacrificial leadership.

προελευσεται προελεύσεται προελθείν προελθέτω προελθοντες προελθόντες προελθων προελθών προελθὼν προελθωσιν προέλθωσιν προήλθεν προηλθον προήλθον προῆλθον προηρχετο προήρχετο proeleusetai proeleúsetai proelthon proelthōn proelthṑn proêlthon proēlthon proē̂lthon proelthontes proelthóntes proelthosin proelthōsin proélthosin proélthōsin proercheto proērcheto proḗrchetoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts