Parakaleō παρακαλέω

Parakaleō (Greek παρακαλέω, Strong's G3870) is a Greek verb meaning “to plead/comfort”. It occurs 109 times in 105 verses of the New Testament.

Definition

From the STEPBible Brief Lexicon of Greek (based on Abbott-Smith), STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.

Translated as

Topics

• Comfort
• Encouragement

Verses

Every verse with Parakaleō, with the English words that translate it highlighted (KJV or BSB; other translations show the KJV here).

Matthew

• Matthew 2:18
  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
• Matthew 5:4
  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• Matthew 8:5
  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came and pleaded with Him,
• Matthew 8:31
  So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
• Matthew 8:34
  And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
• Matthew 14:36
  And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
• Matthew 18:29
  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’
• Matthew 18:32
  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
• Matthew 26:53
  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Mark

• Mark 1:40
  And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
• Mark 5:10
  And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.And he begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region.
• Mark 5:12
  And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.”
• Mark 5:17
  And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.
• Mark 5:18
  And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him.
• Mark 5:23
  And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”
• Mark 6:56
  And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.And wherever He went—villages and towns and countrysides—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
• Mark 7:32
  And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him.
• Mark 8:22
  And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

Luke

• Luke 3:18
  And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people.
• Luke 7:4
  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this,
• Luke 8:31
  And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.And the demons kept begging Jesus not to order them to go into the Abyss.
• Luke 8:32
  And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.
• Luke 8:41
  And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,
• Luke 15:28
  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
• Luke 16:25
  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

Acts

• Acts 2:40
  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
• Acts 8:31
  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
• Acts 9:38
  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
• Acts 11:23
  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
• Acts 13:42
  And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath.
• Acts 14:22
  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• Acts 15:32
  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
• Acts 16:9
  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
• Acts 16:15
  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
• Acts 16:39
  And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.
• Acts 16:40
  And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
• Acts 19:31
  And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
• Acts 20:1
  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
• Acts 20:2
  And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece,
• Acts 20:12
  And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.And the people were greatly relieved to take the boy home alive.
• Acts 21:12
  And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
• Acts 24:4
  Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
• Acts 25:2
  Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
• Acts 27:33
  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.Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food.
• Acts 27:34
  Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”
• Acts 28:14
  Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.There we found some brothers who invited us to spend the week with them. And so we came to Rome.
• Acts 28:20
  For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.So for this reason I have called to see you and speak with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

Romans

• Romans 12:1
  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
• Romans 12:8
  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
• Romans 15:30
  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
• Romans 16:17
  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

1 Corinthians

• 1 Corinthians 1:10
  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.
• 1 Corinthians 4:13
  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
• 1 Corinthians 4:16
  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
• 1 Corinthians 14:31
  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
• 1 Corinthians 16:12
  As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
• 1 Corinthians 16:15
  I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,

2 Corinthians

• 2 Corinthians 1:4
  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
• 2 Corinthians 1:6
  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience.
• 2 Corinthians 2:7
  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
• 2 Corinthians 2:8
  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20
  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
• 2 Corinthians 6:1
  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
• 2 Corinthians 7:6
  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
• 2 Corinthians 7:7
  And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.
• 2 Corinthians 7:13
  Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus. For his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
• 2 Corinthians 8:6
  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.
• 2 Corinthians 9:5
  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
• 2 Corinthians 10:1
  Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
• 2 Corinthians 12:8
  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:18
  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
• 2 Corinthians 13:11
  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians

• Ephesians 4:1
  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
• Ephesians 6:22
  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Philippians

• Philippians 4:2
  I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Colossians

• Colossians 2:2
  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
• Colossians 4:8
  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

1 Thessalonians

• 1 Thessalonians 2:12
  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:2
  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
• 1 Thessalonians 3:7
  Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1
  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:10
  And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more
• 1 Thessalonians 4:18
  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.Therefore encourage one another with these words.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14
  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

2 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians 2:17
  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:12
  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

1 Timothy

• 1 Timothy 1:3
  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
• 1 Timothy 2:1
  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—
• 1 Timothy 5:1
  Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
• 1 Timothy 6:2
  And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

2 Timothy

• 2 Timothy 4:2
  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

Titus

• Titus 1:9
  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
• Titus 2:6
  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
• Titus 2:15
  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Philemon

• Philemon 1:9
  Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
• Philemon 1:10
  I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

Hebrews

• Hebrews 3:13
  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
• Hebrews 10:25
  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
• Hebrews 13:19
  But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you soon.
• Hebrews 13:22
  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.I urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.

1 Peter

• 1 Peter 2:11
  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
• 1 Peter 5:1
  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
• 1 Peter 5:12
  By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

Jude

• Jude 1:3
  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.

Notes

1. Definition and verse list from STEPBible's tagged Hebrew Old Testament (TAHOT) and Greek New Testament (TAGNT) and Brief Lexicons, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0.
2. English renderings from the public-domain KJV with Strong's numbers (eBible.org) and the Berean Standard Bible interlinear (public domain).