Original Word: συστρέφω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sustrephó
Pronunciation: soos-TREF-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (soos-tref'-o)
KJV: gather
NASB: gathered, gathering together
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G4762 (στρέφω - turned)]

1. to twist together, i.e. collect (a bundle, a crowd)

gather.

From sun and strepho; to twist together, i.e. Collect (a bundle, a crowd) -- gather.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK strepho

Word Origin
from sun and strephó
Definition
to twist together, hence to gather together (pass.)
NASB Translation
gathered (1), gathering together (1).

STRONGS NT 4962: συστρέφω

συστρέφω: 1 aorist participle συτρεψας; present passive participle συστρεφόμενος; (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down);

1. to twist together, roll together (into a bundle): φρυγάνων πλῆθος, Acts 28:3.

2. to collect, combine, unite: τινας, passive (reflexively (?)) of men, to (gather themselves together) assemble: Matthew 17:22 L T Tr text WH, see ἀναστρέφω, 3 a.

Root Idea

The verb translated from Strong’s Greek number 4962 carries the picture of things or people being “drawn tightly together,” whether in a physical bundle or in corporate unity. Both New Testament occurrences show this two-sided nuance: one literal, one communal.

Biblical Usage

Matthew 17:22 records, “When they were gathered together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.’ ” Here the word describes the disciples coming into close, intentional fellowship around their Lord at a decisive moment of revelation.

Acts 28:3 states, “Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and was laying them on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.” The same verb now paints Paul’s practical service, binding bits of wood into a bundle for the welfare of shipwrecked companions.

Contexts of Occurrence

1. Galilean Instruction (Matthew 17:22)
• The setting follows the transfiguration and an exorcism.
• The disciples, “gathered” in purposeful intimacy, receive the second passion prediction.
• The gathering highlights Christ’s pattern of unveiling deeper truth within covenant community.

2. Maltese Hospitality (Acts 28:3)
• Following the shipwreck, survivors receive kindness from native islanders.
• Paul’s servant leadership is displayed in menial labor.
• The viper incident magnifies divine protection and advances gospel witness before pagans.

Historical and Cultural Background

First-century travel and survival demanded the tying or bundling of supplies. Firewood was habitually twisted together with cords or vines for transport. Likewise, rabbinic teachers commonly drew disciples around them for private instruction. Both scenes would have felt entirely familiar to original readers: cords binding sticks, fellowship binding hearts.

Theological Themes

Unity and Revelation
• Jesus discloses redemptive truth when disciples are intentionally “brought together.” The verb underscores that revelation flourishes where believers are knit as one (compare Acts 1:14).

Servanthood and Witness
• Paul’s willingness to stoop to camp-chores after leading a perilous voyage exemplifies the gospel’s demand for humble labor (see Mark 10:44-45). His bundled sticks become the backdrop for a miracle that authenticates the message before Gentiles.

Providence in the Midst of Danger
• In both texts the “gathering” sets the stage for imminent trial—Jesus’ impending crucifixion, Paul’s snakebite. Yet each outcome—resurrection and deliverance—displays God’s sovereign care.

Ministry Applications

• Foster intentional fellowship. Spiritual insight often comes when believers “twist together” in prayer and study rather than living atomized lives.
• Embrace humble tasks. Kingdom service may involve simple chores that warm others’ lives—collecting sticks before preaching sermons.
• Trust divine protection. Bundled sticks and gathered disciples both face hazard, but God writes His purposes through each setting.

Related Biblical Motifs

Gathering of Israel (Exodus 16:22; Numbers 11:22)

Binding Into One (Ezekiel 37:17 vision of two sticks)

Christian Assembly (Hebrews 10:25)

Servant Leadership (John 13:12-15)

Reflection for Today

When the people of God allow themselves to be “twisted together” in unity and service, Christ’s sufferings are declared, His power is displayed, and His love warms a cold world—just as surely as a bundle of sticks ignites a life-saving fire.

συνεστράφη συνεστράφην συνεστράφησαν συνεστρέφετο συνέστρεψε συνέστρεψεν συστραφέντας συστρέφετε συστρεφομένη συστρεφομένοις Συστρεφομενων Συστρεφομένων συστρεψαντος συστρέψαντος Sustrephomenon Sustrephomenōn sustrepsantos Systrephomenon Systrephomenōn Systrephoménon Systrephoménōn systrepsantos systrépsantosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts