### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb κατακλίνω (kataklínō), `{{G2625}}`, is derived from the preposition κατά (kata), `{{G2596}}`, meaning "down" or "completely," and the verb κλίνω (klinō), `{{G2827}}`, meaning "to cause to lean, incline, or lay down." Etymologically, it conveys the sense of "to lie down fully" or "to recline." In its specialized New Testament usage, κατακλίνω almost exclusively refers to the act of taking one's place at a table for a meal, specifically in the reclining posture customary in the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world for banquets and feasts. This posture involved leaning on one's left elbow on a low couch, with the feet extended backward, allowing for a relaxed and communal dining experience. The semantic range thus extends from the literal act of reclining to the social act of participating in a shared meal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
κατακλίνω occurs twice in the New Testament, both times in the Gospel of Luke, highlighting its specific application within the Lukan narrative:
1. **[[Luke 9:15]]**: In the account of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus instructs his disciples, "And they did so, and made them all sit down" (καὶ ἐποίησαν καὶ κατέκλιναν ἅπαντας). Here, the verb is used in the aorist active indicative, third person plural, and is translated as "made them sit down." The context is one of order and preparation for a miraculous meal. Jesus commands the disciples to arrange the vast crowd into groups, facilitating the orderly distribution of food. The act of "making them recline" (or "sit down" in modern English idiom) underscores the communal nature of the meal and the divine provision that follows. It's a logistical command that sets the stage for a profound demonstration of Christ's power and compassion.
2. **[[Luke 24:30]]**: On the road to Emmaus, after the resurrected Jesus has walked with two disciples unrecognized, "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave to them" (καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ’ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησεν καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς). Here, the verb is in the aorist passive infinitive, "to recline/sit down." This is a pivotal moment of recognition. Jesus' action of reclining at table with the disciples signifies an act of intimate fellowship and hospitality. It is not merely a physical posture but a profound engagement in shared life. It is precisely in this context of communal dining, replicating the actions of the Last Supper, that the disciples' eyes are opened, and they recognize the risen Lord.
### Related Words & Concepts
The specialized meaning of κατακλίνω is best understood in relation to other Greek terms describing dining postures and practices:
* **κλίνω (klinō) `{{G2827}}`**: The root verb, meaning "to lean," "to incline," or "to lay down." κατακλίνω is a specific application with the prefix κατά emphasizing the complete act of lying down or reclining.
* **ἀνακλίνω (anaklinō) `{{G347}}`**: Similar to κατακλίνω, this verb also means "to cause to recline" or "to make lie down," often specifically for reclining at table. It is used in parallel accounts of the feeding miracles (e.g., [[Matthew 14:19]], [[Mark 6:39]]) and for seating guests at a wedding feast ([[Matthew 22:10]]). While κατακλίνω emphasizes the *downward* motion of settling into place, ἀνακλίνω can imply reclining *back* or *up* onto a couch.
* **ἀνάκειμαι (anakeimai) `{{G345}}`**: This verb means "to be laid up" or, more commonly in the New Testament, "to recline at table" or "to be at table." It describes the state of reclining during a meal (e.g., [[Matthew 9:10]], [[John 13:23]]).
* **καθίζω (kathizō) `{{G2523}}`**: A more general verb meaning "to sit down." While modern translations often render κατακλίνω as "sit down," καθίζω does not carry the specific nuance of reclining for a meal on a couch, which was the customary dining posture for formal or communal meals in that cultural context.
These related terms highlight the ancient custom of reclining at meals, a practice that shaped social interactions and religious symbolism.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of κατακλίνω in Luke's Gospel carry significant theological weight:
1. **Order and Divine Provision**: In [[Luke 9:15]], the command to "make them recline" before the feeding of the five thousand underscores the divine order and intentionality behind God's miraculous provision. It speaks to the careful and systematic nature of God's care for His people, ensuring that abundance is received in an orderly fashion. This act of preparation also emphasizes the communal aspect of God's blessing, where all are invited to partake.
2. **Fellowship and Revelation**: The use of κατακλίνω in [[Luke 24:30]] is profoundly significant. Jesus' act of reclining at table with the disciples at Emmaus is an act of deep fellowship and intimacy. It is not in a grand display of power but in the shared, humble act of breaking bread that the resurrected Christ is revealed. This moment highlights the importance of communal meals—which became central to early Christian practice (e.g., the Lord's Supper, agape feasts)—as contexts for encountering the living Lord. It suggests that Christ's presence is uniquely experienced in the midst of shared life and hospitality, particularly when the elements of the Eucharist are present. This intimate meal foreshadows the heavenly banquet where believers will share eternal fellowship with Christ.
3. **Hospitality and Incarnational Presence**: Jesus' willingness to κατακλίνω demonstrates his profound hospitality and his full participation in human life. He enters into the mundane act of sharing a meal, transforming it into a sacred space of revelation. This reflects the incarnational truth that God meets humanity in tangible, relational ways.
### Summary
The Greek verb κατακλίνω (kataklínō), `{{G2625}}`, meaning "to recline down," specifically denotes the act of taking one's place at a table for a meal in the ancient reclining posture. Its two occurrences in Luke's Gospel reveal distinct but interconnected theological insights. In [[Luke 9:15]], it signifies the orderly preparation for miraculous divine provision, underscoring God's meticulous care for His people. More profoundly, in [[Luke 24:30]], Jesus' act of reclining at table with the Emmaus disciples marks a pivotal moment of intimate fellowship and revelation, where the resurrected Christ is recognized in the breaking of bread. This highlights the significance of communal meals as contexts for divine encounter, emphasizing hospitality, the presence of Christ, and the profound connection between shared human experience and spiritual insight.
TRV