κἀγώ

I also, I too

Definition

Κἀγώ is a compound word meaning 'I also' or 'I too,' used to express solidarity, contrast, or emphatic personal involvement. It often connects the speaker's action or identity with a preceding statement, as when Jesus says, 'Come to me... and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28), linking his offer directly to the listener's need. In some contexts, it introduces a contrasting or emphatic assertion, such as in Jesus' declaration, 'But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself' (John 12:32), highlighting his unique role. It can also denote reciprocal action, as in 'whoever acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father' (Matthew 10:32).

Biblical Usage

Κἀγώ appears 68 times in the New Testament, most frequently in the Gospels and Pauline epistles. It is commonly used in discourses where Jesus aligns himself with his followers or contrasts his actions with others, such as in Matthew 10:32 and John 12:32. Paul employs it to express shared experience or mutual response, as in 1 Corinthians 11:25, 'Do this... in remembrance of me.' The word often introduces significant theological statements, emphasizing the speaker's personal commitment or identity in relation to God's work.

Etymology

Κἀγώ is a crasis (contraction) of the Greek words καί (kai, meaning 'and' or 'also') and ἐγώ (egō, meaning 'I'). This contraction was common in Koine Greek, blending the conjunction with the personal pronoun to form a single word that efficiently conveys 'and I' or 'I also.' Its usage reflects everyday speech patterns of the time, allowing for fluid and emphatic expression in both narrative and dialogue.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it frequently marks moments where Jesus identifies with humanity or asserts his divine authority, enriching understanding of his incarnation and mediation. In passages like Matthew 10:32, it underscores the reciprocal relationship between confession and divine acknowledgment, highlighting themes of covenant and salvation. Recognizing κἀγώ in the Greek helps readers see the emphatic personal connection Jesus establishes, deepening appreciation for his relational and redemptive work.

In ancient Greek culture, such contractions were typical in spoken and written language, reflecting a preference for concise expression. The use of κἀγώ would have been understood as a natural way to emphasize personal involvement or response in conversations, similar to modern emphatic phrases like 'me too.' This cultural nuance shows the New Testament's engagement with everyday communication styles.

ἐγώ (egō, G1473) — simple 'I,' without the emphatic or connective sense of 'also.' καί (kai, G2532) — a conjunction meaning 'and' or 'also,' used separately rather than compounded. κἀκεῖνος (kakeinos, G2548) — 'and he' or 'he also,' a similar crasis for third-person emphasis.

Word Details

Scripture References