4784. sugkatatithémi
Lexical Summary
sugkatatithémi: To agree with, to consent, to assent

Original Word: συγκατατίθεμαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sugkatatithémi
Pronunciation: soong-kat-at-ith'-ay-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kat-at-ith'-em-ahee)
KJV: consent
NASB: consented
Word Origin: [middle from G4862 (σύν - along) and G2698 (κατατίθημι - do)]

1. to deposit (one's vote or opinion) in company with
2. (figuratively) to accord with

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 Origin
from sun and katatithémi
Definition
to deposit together, hence to agree with
NASB Translation
consented (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4784: συγκατατίθημι

συγκατατίθημι (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:
• It preserved his personal integrity before God and man.
• It provided a credible witness that the condemnation of Christ was not universally endorsed by Jewish leadership.
• It positioned Joseph to take faithful action after the crucifixion, securing the Lord’s body and fulfilling prophecy concerning His burial (Isaiah 53:9; Luke 23:52-53).

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).
2. The remnant principle. Throughout redemptive history God maintains a minority who refuse to participate in corporate sin (1 Kings 19:18; Revelation 14:4).
3. Corporate decisions and individual accountability. Scripture holds people responsible for their personal stance even when outcomes seem predetermined (Exodus 23:2; Proverbs 1:10-15).

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).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declined to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Daniel 3:16-18).
• Esther petitioned the king contrary to Persian law (Esther 4:16).
• Nicodemus challenged the legality of condemning a man without hearing Him (John 7:50-51).

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.
2. Courageous Laity. Believers in workplaces, schools, and civic arenas may be the lone voice declining to endorse ungodliness. Joseph’s account legitimizes such stands when graciously expressed.
3. Teaching Conscience Formation. Discipleship should include training to evaluate corporate decisions through the lens of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:14).
4. Intercession and Action. Joseph’s dissent was paired with tangible service—providing the tomb. Righteous objection is incomplete without constructive obedience.

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'katatetheiménos
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Englishman's Concordance
Luke 23:51 V-RPM/P-NMS
GRK: 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

Strong's Greek 4784
1 Occurrence


συνκατατεθειμένος — 1 Occ.

4783
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