κατάκειμαι

I recline, am lying ill

Definition

The verb κατάκειμαι primarily means 'to recline' or 'to lie down,' with two distinct senses in the New Testament. Its most common meaning is to recline at a meal, reflecting the ancient dining posture, as seen in Mark 2:15 and Luke 5:29 where Jesus dines with tax collectors. The second, equally frequent meaning is 'to be lying ill' or bedridden, describing someone confined due to sickness, such as Peter's mother-in-law in Mark 1:30 and the paralyzed man in John 5:3, 6. This dual usage highlights a physical posture that can indicate either social participation or debilitating infirmity.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used 11 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels of Mark (4x), Luke (2x), and John (2x), with three occurrences in the longer ending of Mark (Mark 16:14 is not in the provided list but is an occurrence). It consistently describes a person in a reclining or lying position. In about half the instances, it refers to reclining at a table in a social or celebratory context (e.g., Mark 2:15, Luke 5:29). In the other half, it describes someone lying sick in bed (e.g., Mark 1:30, John 5:3). The usage is evenly split between these two contexts.

Etymology

Κατάκειμαι is a compound verb formed from the preposition κατά (kata), meaning 'down,' and the verb κεῖμαι (keimai), meaning 'to lie' or 'be laid.' Literally, it means 'to lie down.' The preposition κατά intensifies the sense of being in a settled, prostrate position. It is a deponent verb (middle/passive in form, active in meaning). Its root, κεῖμαι, is also used in the New Testament and shares the core idea of being in a recumbent state.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it appears in key narratives of healing and fellowship. When used for the sick (Mark 1:30, John 5:3), it sets the stage for Jesus's acts of restoration, emphasizing human helplessness and Christ's power to raise people up. In meal contexts (Mark 2:15, Luke 5:29), it depicts table fellowship, a central image of God's kingdom where Jesus shares communion with sinners and outcasts. Understanding this dual meaning enriches readings of these passages, contrasting the posture of infirmity with the posture of restored community.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, 'reclining' (κατάκειμαι) was the standard posture for formal dining, not sitting on chairs. Guests would lie on couches, leaning on their left elbow. This practice signified leisure, honor, and social intimacy. When the word describes someone 'lying ill,' it reflects the cultural reality of being completely bedridden and dependent, often away from public life. The modern concept of 'sitting at a table' misses this specific cultural posture of reclining, which carried connotations of fellowship and status.

κεῖμαι (keimai, G2749) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to lie' or 'be laid,' used for objects, people, or principles without the intensive 'down' sense. ἀνακείμαι (anakeimai, G345) — Also means 'to recline at table,' with ἀνά (ana) adding a sense of 'up' or 'back,' often used interchangeably in dining contexts.

Word Details

Scripture References