"to be of a sound mind, be in one’s right mind, be sane, Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; to be calm, 2 Cor. 5:13; to be sober-minded, sedate, Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7; to be of a modest, humble mind, Rom. 12:3*"
Definition and meaning
to be of a sound mind, be in one’s right mind, be sane, Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; to be calm, 2 Cor. 5:13; to be sober-minded, sedate, Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7; to be of a modest, humble mind, Rom. 12:3*
In the original Greek the word is written: σωφρονέω
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 sophroneo (G4993) across the King James Bible.
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
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 G4993 (sophroneo) is a Greek word that means: to be of a sound mind, be in one’s right mind, be sane, Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; to be calm, 2 Cor. 5:13; to be sober-minded, sedate, Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7; to be of a modest, humble mind, Rom. 12:3* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word sophroneo (G4993) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4993 is sophroneo, a Greek word defined as: to be of a sound mind, be in one’s right mind, be sane, Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; to be calm, 2 Cor. 5:13; to be sober-minded, sedate, Tit. 2:6; 1 Pet. 4:7;. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
sophroneo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.