"to persist in adherence to a thing; to be intently engaged in, attend constantly to, Acts 1:14; 2:42; Rom. 13:6; to remain constantly in a place, Acts 2:46; to constantly attend upon, continue near to, be at hand, Mk. 3:9; Acts 8:13; 10:7"
Definition and meaning
to persist in adherence to a thing; to be intently engaged in, attend constantly to, Acts 1:14; 2:42; Rom. 13:6; to remain constantly in a place, Acts 2:46; to constantly attend upon, continue near to, be at hand, Mk. 3:9; Acts 8:13; 10:7
In the original Greek the word is written: προσκαρτερέω
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 proskartereo (G4342) across the King James Bible.
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
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Common questions
Strong's G4342 (proskartereo) is a Greek word that means: to persist in adherence to a thing; to be intently engaged in, attend constantly to, Acts 1:14; 2:42; Rom. 13:6; to remain constantly in a place, Acts 2:46; to constantly attend upon, continue near to... It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word proskartereo (G4342) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4342 is proskartereo, a Greek word defined as: to persist in adherence to a thing; to be intently engaged in, attend constantly to, Acts 1:14; 2:42; Rom. 13:6; to remain constantly in a place, Acts. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
proskartereo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.