"to look for, be expectant of, Mt. 11:3; Lk. 7:19, 20; Acts 3:5; 2 Pet. 3:12, 13, 14; to expect, Acts 28:6; to wait for, Lk. 1:21; 8:40; Acts 10:24; 27:33; absol. to think, anticipate, Mt. 24:50; Lk. 12:46"
Definition and meaning
to look for, be expectant of, Mt. 11:3; Lk. 7:19, 20; Acts 3:5; 2 Pet. 3:12, 13, 14; to expect, Acts 28:6; to wait for, Lk. 1:21; 8:40; Acts 10:24; 27:33; absol. to think, anticipate, Mt. 24:50; Lk. 12:46
In the original Greek the word is written: προσδοκάω
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 prosdokao (G4328) across the King James Bible.
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
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 G4328 (prosdokao) is a Greek word that means: to look for, be expectant of, Mt. 11:3; Lk. 7:19, 20; Acts 3:5; 2 Pet. 3:12, 13, 14; to expect, Acts 28:6; to wait for, Lk. 1:21; 8:40; Acts 10:24; 27:33; absol. to think, anticipate, Mt. 24:50; Lk. 1... It appears 14 times in the King James Bible.
The word prosdokao (G4328) appears 14 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4328 is prosdokao, a Greek word defined as: to look for, be expectant of, Mt. 11:3; Lk. 7:19, 20; Acts 3:5; 2 Pet. 3:12, 13, 14; to expect, Acts 28:6; to wait for, Lk. 1:21; 8:40; Acts 10:24; 27. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
prosdokao is a Greek word found in the New Testament.