[Greek] καταλαμβάνω (katalambanō), [Latin] respondere, [Latin] comprehendere, [Latin] cognoscere, [Latin adprehendere, [French] attraper: to attack, to lay hold of, to seize, to comprehend, to take, to overtake, to apprehend, to understand, to grasp; Mk.9:18, Jn.1:5, Jn.8:3-4, Jn.12:35, Acts 4:13, Acts 10:34, Acts 25:25, Rom.9:30, 1Cor.9:24, Eph.3:18, Php.3:12-13, 1Thess.5:4
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to seize, to keep silent, to constrain, to overtake, to befall, to comprehend (seize with the mind), to catch, to take by surprise, to put an end to, to repress, to enforce, to bring out the truth, to compel, to accept, to bind, and to condemn.
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.39: “The sons of Pisistratus send Militiades to take control of the country.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 5.21: “The Macedonians made away with all that, as well as with all the envoys themselves.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.11: “The princes were determined to remain in their country, for they considered what ills were likely to come if they fled from their native land.”
Polybius’ Histories 8.2.6: “He thought of everything that was possible for human ingenuity to conceive.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.161: “The Cyreneans, in view of the affliction that had overtaken them, sent to ask what political arrangement could be made.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 3.75: “But the present time necessity forced him to reveal the truth.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 9.106: “They admitted to their alliance and bound them by pledge and oath to remain fruitful and not desert their allies.”
New Testament: This term means to take control (seize), to catch (be caught), to overcome (overtake), to observe (perceive), and to achieve. Jesus removes a demon from a possessed boy. The crowd brings a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. They walked away when Jesus pointed out their own sins. Scripture repeatedly warns of the potential danger of being overtaken by darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world who overtakes darkness. Paul, appealing to Greek athletes, likens the faithful Christian as the winner of a race. Paul calls for his congregation to have a deeper understanding (perception) of God’s plan of salvation. The Gentiles achieve righteousness through faith, but not through the Law.
Scripture:
“They said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.’” Jn.8:4
The Jews apprehended the adulterous woman. However, they eventually departed when Jesus pointed out their own sins.”
“But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief.” 1Thess. 5:4
Paul warns the Thessalonians to be vigilant for the darkness (spiritual ignorance or sin) which may come suddenly.
“Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.” Acts 4:13
The Sanhedrin comprehended the boldness of their actions.
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run as to win.” 1Cor.9:24
Paul is appealing to the Greeks familiar with sports and games. Paul likens the faithful Christian who runs (overtakes) and wins the Christian race of life.
Etymology: In this term, the (kata-) prefix indicates intensity or suddenness. The Greek verb lambano means to take. The Latin verb comprehendere essentially means to seize or to take with the mind in order to have understanding. The Latin verb respondere means to answer (promise) in return. The Latin verb adprehendere means to seize or to take hold. The Latin verb cognoscere means to get to know. This also is a mental process of knowing.
Conclusion:
Response, respond, comprehend, comprehension, apprehend, incarceration, trap, cognition, recognize, recognition
Holding on to God, although sometimes difficult, requires trust.
In Greek Hellenism it was interesting to discover the many and nuanced meanings of this term. This term conveys both an active and passive sense of taking or seizing. Some of the more nuanced meanings include being caught, being pressured, and being kept secret.
In the New Testament, this term also has various meanings. Comprehending (seizing of the mind) is shown by observation, perception, and understanding. There continues the notion of the overtaking (struggles) between light and darkness. The Jews apprehend the adulterous woman, yet Jesus takes this opportunity to point others’ sins. The Gentiles achieve righteousness by faith, not by Jewish expectations. Paul likens the faithful Christian to a runner who finishes the race. The Christian, like the athlete, must prepare himself for the journey. The victorious Christian is one who remains faithful to Christ.
This is the only time that Jesus writes down something. In fact, Jesus doesn’t even instruct the disciples to write anything down about His gospel message. Rather, this message is conveyed through oral tradition. Any mention of scriptures referred only to the Old Testament. The official New Testament canon (books) will not yet be determined until many centuries later.
Update: This darkness of war continues to fall (take hold) on Ukraine.
Many international leaders and politicians have taken their seats in listening to the impassioned pleas of President Zelenskyy (and others) to do more to help Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy is calling upon the West for more support.
Although many have fled, President Zelenskyy and others have remained fighting for their country.
We are all in admiration of the Ukrainians who are improvising with limited defensive resources in their valiant effort against the Russian forces.
President Putin, revealing his character, is now calling Russian protesters “scum and traitors”.
It remains to be seen how all these sanctions on Putin (and Russia) will take hold. Yet Putin and his cronies will try to find a way to get around these sanctions.
We all must apprehend (grasp) and comprehend (understand) how this war affects all those Ukrainians fleeing and escaping and Russian citizens bearing the consequences of these sanctions. We also need to keep them in our prayers.
Next post: Fleeing and and escaping