### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word katapléō (`{{G2668}}`) is a compound verb derived from the preposition katá (`{{G2596}}`), meaning "down" or "completion," and the verb pléō (`{{G4126}}`), meaning "to sail." The combination thus conveys the sense of "to sail down to a place" or "to sail to a specific destination." The prefix katá in this context emphasizes the completion of the journey, the act of reaching a specific point of arrival, rather than merely sailing. Therefore, the core meaning is to arrive by sailing, to land at a port or shore after a voyage. It is a precise term for a particular mode of arrival, distinct from arriving by foot or other means of transport.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word katapléō (`{{G2668}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 8:26]]: "And they sailed down to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee."
In this sole occurrence, the verb describes the action of Jesus and His disciples as they cross the Sea of Galilee. The preceding verses ([[Luke 8:22-25]]) recount the disciples' fear during a violent storm and Jesus' miraculous calming of the wind and waves. The use of katapléō immediately after this event emphasizes their successful and divinely orchestrated arrival at their intended destination, the region of the Gerasenes. This arrival is not incidental but purposeful, setting the stage for Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man and the subsequent powerful exorcism ([[Luke 8:27-39]]). The word underscores the completion of their journey, highlighting the deliberate nature of Jesus' ministry extending even to Gentile territories across the lake.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share semantic connections with katapléō (`{{G2668}}`), either as root words, antonyms, or broader categories of movement:
* pléō (`{{G4126}}`): The root verb, meaning "to sail" or "to navigate." katapléō is a specific instance of sailing that emphasizes arrival.
* apopléō (`{{G622}}`): "to sail away," representing the departure from a place, thus serving as an antonym to katapléō.
* anapléō (`{{G389}}`): "to sail up" or "to put to sea," often implying the commencement of a voyage.
* katabaínō (`{{G2597}}`): "to go down," a more general verb of downward motion or descent, which shares the katá prefix and a conceptual link to movement towards a destination, though not specifically by sea.
* érchomai (`{{G2064}}`): The general verb "to come" or "to go," of which katapléō describes a specific mode of coming or arriving.
* The broader concept of "journey" or "travel" (e.g., hodeuō `{{G3593}}` or poreuomai `{{G4198}}`), with katapléō specifying travel by water.
### Theological Significance
While katapléō (`{{G2668}}`) is primarily a descriptive verb of motion, its singular use in the New Testament carries implicit theological significance within its narrative context. In [[Luke 8:26]], the arrival of Jesus and His disciples in the country of the Gerasenes is pivotal. This region, largely Gentile, becomes the site of a profound demonstration of Jesus' authority over demonic forces. The use of katapléō emphasizes the purposeful and intentional nature of Jesus' journey. His "sailing down to" this specific place signifies a divine appointment, a deliberate move to extend His ministry beyond the traditional Jewish boundaries. The successful arrival, following the miraculous calming of the storm, reinforces Jesus' sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to His mission of delivering those in spiritual bondage. The very act of arrival by sea thus serves as a narrative marker, signaling the commencement of a significant phase of redemptive activity in a new territory.
### Summary
Katapléō (`{{G2668}}`) is a Greek verb meaning "to sail down to," or more simply, "to arrive by sailing." Composed of katá (down/completion) and pléō (to sail), it precisely describes the completion of a sea journey and the act of landing at a specific destination. Its sole occurrence in the New Testament, in [[Luke 8:26]], is highly significant. It marks the purposeful arrival of Jesus and His disciples in the Gentile region of the Gerasenes, immediately after Jesus demonstrates His authority over the forces of nature by calming a storm. This arrival by sea sets the stage for a powerful display of divine authority over spiritual forces, underscoring the intentionality of Jesus' ministry to bring deliverance to all peoples. Though a descriptive term, its contextual use is crucial to understanding the narrative flow and the theological implications of Jesus' expansive mission.
TRV