Lexical Summary prosaiteo: To beg, to ask for alms Original Word: προσαιτέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beg. From pros and aiteo; to ask repeatedly (importune), i.e. Solicit -- beg. see GREEK pros see GREEK aiteo Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4319: προσαιτέωπροσαιτέω, προσαίτω; 1. to ask for in addition ((see πρός, IV. 2); Pindar, Aeschylus, others). 2. to approach one with supplications (German anbetteln (to importune; cf. πρός, IV. 4)), to ask alms ((Herodotus), Xenophon, Aristophanes, Euripides, Plutarch, others): Mark 10:46 R G L; Luke 18:35 (where L T Tr WH have ἐπαιτῶν); John 9:8. STRONGS NT 4319a: προσαίτηςπροσαίτης, προσαιτου, ὁ, a beggar: Mark 10:46 T Tr WH; John 9:8 (where for the Rec. τυφλός). (Plutarch, Lucian, (Diogenes Laërtius 6, 56.) Topical Lexicon Word Overview Strong’s Greek 4319 designates a person who lives by asking alms. The term carries the sense of being utterly dependent on the mercy of others, highlighting both physical need and social marginalization. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 10:46 – Bartimaeus, a blind beggar outside Jericho, receives sight after crying out to Jesus. (The participial form in the same verse accentuates his habitual state of begging.) Socio-Economic Context in First-Century Judea Roman-era Palestine had no formal welfare structures. The disabled or chronically ill often relied on public generosity at city gates or along major roads. Beggars commonly positioned themselves near religious centers or high-traffic routes where pious travelers might be moved to give alms, a practice encouraged by Jewish teaching on charity (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Psalm 41:1). Begging and the Old Testament Law While Mosaic legislation did not institutionalize begging, it mandated gleaning rights (Leviticus 19:9-10) and periodic debt release (Deuteronomy 15:1-2) to prevent extreme poverty. Persistent beggary therefore signaled either physical incapacity or societal neglect, setting the stage for Jesus’ ministry of restoration. Christ’s Compassion Toward Beggars In both Mark 10 and John 9, Jesus does more than supply material relief; He eradicates the root affliction, restoring full participation in community life. His actions fulfill messianic prophecies: “The eyes of the blind will be opened” (Isaiah 35:5). The narrative contrast between physical blindness and spiritual sight (John 9:39-41) urges readers to recognize their own dependence on divine mercy. Spiritual Motifs Evoked 1. Helplessness before God – The beggar symbolizes humanity’s inability to save itself (Romans 5:6). Implications for Church Ministry • Mercy ministries: Early Christians organized daily food distribution (Acts 6:1-4). The example instructs modern congregations to integrate practical aid with gospel proclamation. Historical Exemplars of Christian Care • Second-century apologists (e.g., Aristides) noted believers’ reputation for feeding the poor. Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References Poor and needy – Proverbs 19:17; Luke 14:13-14 Blind receiving sight – Matthew 11:5; Acts 9:17-18 Divine generosity – 2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Philippians 4:19 Summary Strong’s 4319 spotlights individuals consigned to beggary yet singled out by Jesus for healing and honor. Their encounters with Christ reveal the redemptive pattern of Scripture: God lifts the destitute, grants true sight, and commissions them as witnesses to His grace. Forms and Transliterations προσαιτης προσαίτης προσαιτήσουσιν προσαιτων προσαιτών προσαιτῶν prosaites prosaitēs prosaítes prosaítēs prosaiton prosaitôn prosaitōn prosaitō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 10:46 N-NMSGRK: Βαρτίμαιος τυφλὸς προσαίτης ἐκάθητο παρὰ KJV: by the highway side begging. INT: Bartimaeus blind beggar was sitting beside John 9:8 N-NMS John 9:8 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 4319 |