"to lead, bring, or conduct forth, produce, Acts 12:6; 16:30; 25:26; intrans. to go before, to go first, Mt. 2:9; 21:9; Mk. 6:45; 1 Tim. 5:24; part. προάγων, ουσα, ον, preceding, previous, antecedent, 1 Tim. 1:18; Heb. 7:18; hence, in NT, trans. to precede, Mt. 14:22; to be in adv..."
Definition and meaning
to lead, bring, or conduct forth, produce, Acts 12:6; 16:30; 25:26; intrans. to go before, to go first, Mt. 2:9; 21:9; Mk. 6:45; 1 Tim. 5:24; part. προάγων, ουσα, ον, preceding, previous, antecedent, 1 Tim. 1:18; Heb. 7:18; hence, in NT, trans. to precede, Mt. 14:22; to be in advance of, Mt. 21:31
In the original Greek the word is written: προάγω
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 proago (G4254) across the King James Bible.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4254 (proago) is a Greek word that means: to lead, bring, or conduct forth, produce, Acts 12:6; 16:30; 25:26; intrans. to go before, to go first, Mt. 2:9; 21:9; Mk. 6:45; 1 Tim. 5:24; part. προάγων, ουσα, ον, preceding, previous, antecedent, ... It appears 18 times in the King James Bible.
The word proago (G4254) appears 18 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4254 is proago, a Greek word defined as: to lead, bring, or conduct forth, produce, Acts 12:6; 16:30; 25:26; intrans. to go before, to go first, Mt. 2:9; 21:9; Mk. 6:45; 1 Tim. 5:24; part. πρ. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
proago is a Greek word found in the New Testament.