"to watch narrowly, Acts 9:24; to observe or watch insidiously, Mk. 3:2; Lk. 6:7; 14:1; 20:20; to observe scrupulously, Gal. 4:10*"
Definition and meaning
to watch narrowly, Acts 9:24; to observe or watch insidiously, Mk. 3:2; Lk. 6:7; 14:1; 20:20; to observe scrupulously, Gal. 4:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: παρατηρέω
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
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 paratereo (G3906) across the King James Bible.
And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
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Common questions
Strong's G3906 (paratereo) is a Greek word that means: to watch narrowly, Acts 9:24; to observe or watch insidiously, Mk. 3:2; Lk. 6:7; 14:1; 20:20; to observe scrupulously, Gal. 4:10* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word paratereo (G3906) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3906 is paratereo, a Greek word defined as: to watch narrowly, Acts 9:24; to observe or watch insidiously, Mk. 3:2; Lk. 6:7; 14:1; 20:20; to observe scrupulously, Gal. 4:10*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
paratereo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.