Lexical Summary sugkatatithémi: To agree with, to consent, to assent Original Word: συγκατατίθεμαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consent. Mid from sun and katatithemi; to deposit (one's vote or opinion) in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to accord with -- consent. see GREEK sun see GREEK katatithemi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and katatithémi Definition to deposit together, hence to agree with NASB Translation consented (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4784: συγκατατίθημισυγκατατίθημι (T WH συνκατατιθημι (cf. σύν, II. at the end)): middle, present participle συγκατατιθεμενος or perfect participle συγκατατεθειμένος (see below); to deposit together with another; middle properly, to deposit one's vote in the urn with another (ψῆφον τιθέναι, hence, to consent to, agree with, vote for: τῇ βουλή καί τῇ πράξει τίνος, Luke 23:51 (here L marginal reading T Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading present participle; others have perfect participle). (Exodus 23:1, 32; Plato, Gorgias, p. 501 c., Isaeus, Demosthenes, Polybius, Josephus, Plutarch, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term Strong’s Greek 4784 depicts an act of deliberate, personal dissent from a collective judgment. It is not a passive disagreement but a conscious refusal to align oneself with a decision perceived as unrighteous. The single New Testament occurrence highlights a godly man who could not, before God, lend his voice to an unjust verdict. Biblical Context: Joseph of Arimathea’s Dissent (Luke 23:51) Luke records that Joseph of Arimathea, “a good and righteous man… had not consented to their decision or action” (Luke 23:50-51). The Sanhedrin had already reached consensus to hand Jesus over to Pilate, but Joseph’s conscience, shaped by Scripture and devotion to God, withheld agreement. His dissent is striking because it arises within Israel’s highest legal-religious council, where unanimity was normally expected in capital cases. Joseph’s refusal did not overturn the council’s verdict, yet it served several divine purposes: Theological Implications 1. Conscience under the Lordship of Christ. Joseph illustrates that the believer’s ultimate allegiance is to God, not to majority opinion (Acts 5:29). Historical Background: The Sanhedrin and Capital Cases Second-Temple sources indicate the Sanhedrin required meticulous procedure in capital trials. A unanimous condemnation could itself suspend judgment until fresh evidence was examined, to guard against mob mentality. Luke’s report therefore emphasizes how exceptional Joseph’s dissent was; amid hostility toward Jesus, he risked status and safety by breaking ranks. His readiness to do so underscores the courage necessary to oppose institutional wrongdoing. Models of Godly Dissent in Scripture • Moses confronted Pharaoh on behalf of Israel (Exodus 5). These examples, together with Joseph, reveal that faithful dissent often emerges from within the community, not from outside antagonists. Application to Ministry and Discipleship 1. Leadership Integrity. Elders, deacons, and ministry boards must guard against groupthink. A solitary “no” grounded in Scripture can avert calamity. Pastoral Reflections Pastors can remind congregations that the path of dissent is seldom applauded in the moment, yet God vindicates those who fear Him. When believers wrestle with whether to speak up, Joseph’s example offers guidance: weigh the matter in light of revealed truth, rely on the Spirit for courage (2 Timothy 1:7), and be ready to act sacrificially. Related Scriptures for Study Exodus 23:2; Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 24:11-12; Isaiah 5:20; Matthew 27:57-60; Acts 4:19-20; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:16-17; James 4:17. Forms and Transliterations συγκαταθήση συγκατατεθειμένος συγκαταφάγεται συγκαταφερομένη συνκατατεθειμενος συνκατατεθειμένος sunkatatetheimenos synkatatetheimenos syn'katatetheiménosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 23:51 V-RPM/P-NMSGRK: οὐκ ἦν συνκατατεθειμένος τῇ βουλῇ NAS: (he had not consented to their plan KJV: had not consented to the counsel and INT: not was having consented to the counsel |