Lexical Summary prophthanó: To anticipate, to come before, to precede Original Word: προφθάνω 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 Originfrom pro and phthanó Definition to anticipate NASB Translation first (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4399: προφθάνωπροφθάνω: 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. Historical Background: The Two-Drachma Tax • Instituted from the Mosaic half-shekel offering (Exodus 30:13-16). 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”. Christological Implications Prophthano highlights Jesus’ initiative. Throughout the Gospels the Lord frequently anticipates: 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). 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. 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 proéphthasenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |