Original Word: κατανοέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katanoeó
Pronunciation: kat-an-o-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-an-o-eh'-o)
KJV: behold, consider, discover, perceive
NASB: consider, notice, contemplated, detected, look, look more closely, looked
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G3539 (νοιέω - understand)]

1. to observe fully

behold, consider, discover, perceive.

From kata and noieo; to observe fully -- behold, consider, discover, perceive.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK noieo

2657 katanoéō (from 2596 /katá, "down along, exactly according to" and 3539 /noiéō, "to think") – properly, to think from up to down, to a conclusion; to consider exactly, attentively (decisively); to concentrate by fixing one's thinking " 'to perceive clearly' (kata, intensive), 'to understand fully, consider closely' " (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 123). 2657 (katanoéō) expresses real comprehending – "thinking decisively to a definite (clear) understanding."

[2657 (katanoéō) has "the notion of considering attentively (note the kata, 'down into,' " WS, 349).]

Word Origin
from kata and noeó
Definition
to take note of, perceive
NASB Translation
consider (4), contemplated (1), detected (1), look (1), look more closely (1), looked (1), looks (1), notice (2), observe (1), observing (1).

STRONGS NT 2657: κατανοέω

κατανοέω, κατάνω; imperfect κατενωυν; 1 aorist κατενόησα; from Herodotus down; the Sept. here and there for הִתְבּונֵן, הִבִּיט, רָאָה;

1. to perceive, remark, observe, understand: τί, Matthew 7:3; Luke 6:41; Luke 20:23; Acts 27:39.

2. to consider attentively, fix one's eyes or mind upon: τί, Luke 12:24, 27; Acts 11:6; Romans 4:19; with the accusative of the thing omitted, as being understood from the context, Acts 7:31f; τινα, Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 10:24; James 1:23f.

Meaning in Context

Strong’s Greek 2657 expresses a deliberate, penetrating attentiveness. Whether rendered “consider,” “look closely,” or “take notice,” the verb describes more than casual observation. It speaks of weighing, discerning, or viewing with the intention of understanding and responding.

Distribution in the New Testament

Fourteen Spirit-inspired uses cluster in the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline corpus, Hebrews, and James. The contexts range from Christ’s probing questions, to apostolic preaching, to ethical exhortations for the church.

• Luke’s Gospel employs the word when Jesus exposes hidden motives (Luke 20:23) and when He directs His disciples to “consider the ravens” and “consider how the lilies grow” (Luke 12:24, 27), inviting trust in the Father’s providence.

• Matthew 7:3 and its parallel in Luke 6:41 turn the spotlight inward: “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?” The verb indicates a failure of self-examination.

• Stephen’s defense (Acts 7:31-32) recounts Moses’ stunned attention at the burning bush: he “went over to look” and “was amazed” as he tried “to consider” the sight. Luke later applies the same term to Peter’s rooftop vision (Acts 11:6) and to the sailors straining to identify landfall (Acts 27:39), illustrating careful scrutiny under pressure.

• Romans 4:19 reports that Abraham “did not weaken in faith; he did not consider his own body as good as dead,” highlighting faith’s refusal to fixate on obstacles.

• Hebrews twice harnesses the verb to spur perseverance: “Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1), and “let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

• James pictures the Word as a mirror: the superficial hearer “looks at himself” and walks away (James 1:23-24), while the blessed doer “looks intently into the perfect law” (James 1:25, implied), contrasting fleeting attention with sustained contemplation.

Theological Significance

1. Revelation and Response

The word underscores that divine revelation is meant to be pondered, not merely noted. Moses, Peter, and New Covenant believers alike receive truth that demands careful assessment leading to obedient faith.

2. Christ-Centered Focus

Hebrews 3:1 elevates Jesus as the supreme object of concentrated reflection. The verb calls the church to behold the Apostle and High Priest, anchoring perseverance in a clear sight of His person and work.

3. Sanctifying Self-Examination

In the Sermon on the Mount and its Lukan counterpart, the term exposes hypocrisy. Genuine righteousness grows where believers first scrutinize their own hearts before addressing others.

4. Providential Assurance

Jesus’ twin commands to “consider” ravens and lilies demolish anxiety by directing thought toward the Father’s sustaining care. A sanctified use of the mind fuels practical trust.

5. Communal Edification

Hebrews 10:24 roots mutual ministry in mindful consideration. Love and good deeds flourish when Christians study one another’s needs and devise tangible encouragements.

Historical Reflection

Early church teachers mined these passages to commend lectio divina—slow, prayerful reading of Scripture. Patristic homilies on Luke 12 link the call to “consider” creation with the wisdom tradition of Proverbs, fostering a Christian worldview in which nature becomes a classroom of faith.

The Reformers likewise emphasized the Hebrews 3:1 imperative. John Calvin observed that without deliberate consideration of Christ “we are quickly shaken by the slightest breeze.” Puritan pastors made Hebrews 10:24 foundational for small-group gatherings, urging believers to arrive with forethought for mutual stirring.

Contemporary Ministry Application

• Preaching and Teaching: Expositional sermons imitate Stephen’s narrative by leading hearers to contemplate God’s acts in redemptive history, moving from observation to worshipful obedience.

• Discipleship: Mentors apply Hebrews 10:24, helping believers ask, “Whom can I thoughtfully encourage this week?” Intentional reflection precedes intentional action.

• Counseling: Matthew 7:3 guides the counselee toward self-assessment, fostering humility and repentance before confronting others.

• Evangelism: Romans 4:19 equips witnesses to address intellectual barriers. Faith does not ignore facts; it assigns them proper weight in light of God’s promise.

Conclusion

Strong’s 2657 embodies the disciplined attentiveness that Scripture everywhere commends. Whether beholding Christ, welcoming God’s providence, or sharpening one another in love, the church advances when it looks long enough to understand—and then acts on what it sees.

κατανοεί κατανοεις κατανοείς κατανοεῖς κατανοησαι κατανοήσαι κατανοῆσαι κατανοησας κατανοήσας κατανοησατε κατανοήσατε κατανοήσεις κατανοήσω κατανοουντι κατανοούντι κατανοοῦντι κατανοούσι κατανοωμεν κατανοώμεν κατανοῶμεν κατανοών κατενόησα κατενοήσάν κατενόησαν κατενόησε κατενοησεν κατενόησεν κατενοουν κατενόουν κατενοόυσαν katanoeis katanoeîs katanoesai katanoêsai katanoēsai katanoē̂sai katanoesas katanoēsas katanoḗsas katanoesate katanoēsate katanoḗsate katanoomen katanoômen katanoōmen katanoō̂men katanoounti katanooûnti katenoesen katenoēsen katenóesen katenóēsen katenooun katenóounInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts