4399. prophthanó
Lexical Summary
prophthanó: To anticipate, to come before, to precede

Original Word: προφθάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: prophthanó
Pronunciation: prof-thah'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (prof-than'-o)
KJV: prevent
NASB: first
Word Origin: [from G4253 (πρό - before) and G5348 (φθάνω - come)]

1. to get an earlier start of, i.e. anticipate

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
anticipate, prevent.

From pro and phthano; to get an earlier start of, i.e. Anticipate -- prevent.

see GREEK pro

see GREEK phthano

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from pro and phthanó
Definition
to anticipate
NASB Translation
first (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4399: προφθάνω

προφθάνω: 1 aorist προέφθασα; to come before, to anticipate: αὐτόν προεφθασε λέγων, he spoke before him (R. V. spake first to him), or anticipated his remark, Matthew 17:25. (Aeschylus, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plutarch; the Sept..)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning in Context

Strong’s Greek 4399 conveys the idea of arriving or speaking ahead of another, forestalling what someone else intends to say or do. In Matthew 17:25 it describes Jesus addressing Peter “first,” showing foreknowledge of a matter Peter had not yet raised.

Biblical Occurrence

Matthew 17:25 is the sole New Testament instance: “When Peter entered the house, Jesus spoke to him first, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes—from their sons or from others?’”.

Context in Matthew 17:24-27

1. Setting: Capernaum, after the Transfiguration.
2. Issue: Collectors of the two-drachma temple tax approach Peter about Jesus’ payment.
3. Action: Before Peter can speak, Jesus anticipates the conversation, revealing His omniscience and His concern that neither He nor Peter give unnecessary offense (17:27).
4. Resolution: A miracle—coin in the fish’s mouth—covers the tax for both, underscoring the Lord’s authority over creation and His willingness to submit to civil and religious obligations for the sake of others.

Historical Background: The Two-Drachma Tax

• Instituted from the Mosaic half-shekel offering (Exodus 30:13-16).
• Paid annually for temple maintenance.
• By the first century it was collected even in the diaspora and symbolized loyalty to the Jerusalem sanctuary.
• Refusal was socially conspicuous; payment avoided controversy.

Theological Themes

1. Omniscience of Christ: The preemptive word to Peter parallels Psalm 139:4—“Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD”.
2. Sonship and Freedom: Jesus poses a royal analogy; sons are exempt, strangers pay (Matthew 17:25-26). As God’s Son He is free, yet He voluntarily pays, modeling humility (Philippians 2:5-8).
3. Avoiding Unnecessary Offense: The episode anticipates Romans 14:19—pursuing what leads to peace and mutual edification.
4. Provision Through Divine Sovereignty: The precise coin in the fish demonstrates Matthew 6:33 in practice—God supplies needs when the kingdom is prioritized.

Christological Implications

Prophthano highlights Jesus’ initiative. Throughout the Gospels the Lord frequently anticipates:
• He knows the paralytic’s hidden thoughts (Luke 5:22).
• He forecasts Peter’s denial (Luke 22:34).
• He gives directions for the Passover room that disciples find “just as He had told them” (Luke 22:13).

The single use of 4399 crystallizes this pattern: Jesus is never caught off guard.

Practical Ministry Lessons

• Shepherds are to anticipate needs—spiritual, material, and relational—reflecting the Good Shepherd who “goes ahead of them” (John 10:4).
• Believers may voluntarily limit their freedom to advance the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12).
• Confidence in divine provision frees servants of Christ from anxiety while engaging responsibly with civic duties.

Related Scriptural Echoes

Isaiah 65:24—“Before they call, I will answer”.

Luke 15:20—The father runs to meet the prodigal “while he was still a long way off.”

Matthew 6:8—“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Applications for Today

• Anticipatory love: Seek to address concerns before they surface, mirroring Christ’s initiative.
• Balanced citizenship: Pay lawful dues without compromising gospel identity.
• Trustful obedience: Expect God to meet every legitimate need, sometimes through unexpected means.

In a single verb Matthew records a distinctive attribute of Jesus: He is the Master who always arrives first—foreseeing, providing, and guiding His disciples in wisdom and grace.

Forms and Transliterations
προέφθασα προέφθασαν προέφθασάν προέφθασας προέφθασε προεφθασεν προέφθασεν προφθάσει πρόφθασον προφθάσωμεν προφυλακάς προφύλακας προφυλακή προφυλακήν προφυλακής προφυλάξομαι proephthasen proéphthasen
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 17:25 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τὴν οἰκίαν προέφθασεν αὐτὸν ὁ
NAS: Jesus spoke to him first, saying,
KJV: Jesus prevented him,
INT: the house anticipated him

Strong's Greek 4399
1 Occurrence


προέφθασεν — 1 Occ.

4398
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