"to fall upon one’s knees, to kneel before, Mt. 17:14; 27:29; Mk. 1:40; 10:17*"
Definition and meaning
to fall upon one’s knees, to kneel before, Mt. 17:14; 27:29; Mk. 1:40; 10:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: γονυπετέω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of gonypeteo (G1120) across the King James Bible.
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
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Common questions
Strong's G1120 (gonypeteo) is a Greek word that means: to fall upon one’s knees, to kneel before, Mt. 17:14; 27:29; Mk. 1:40; 10:17* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word gonypeteo (G1120) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1120 is gonypeteo, a Greek word defined as: to fall upon one’s knees, to kneel before, Mt. 17:14; 27:29; Mk. 1:40; 10:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
gonypeteo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.