### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb μεταβαίνω (metabaínō), Strong's `{{G3327}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition μετά (meta), meaning "with," "after," or implying change, and the verb βαίνω (bainō), meaning "to go" or "to walk." Etymologically, it conveys the sense of "going after" or "changing one's place of going."
Its core meaning is "to change place," signifying a movement from one location to another. The semantic range includes "to depart," "to go," "to pass," or "to remove." It consistently denotes a transition or shift in physical location, and in profound theological contexts, a radical change in spiritual state or existence. Unlike more general verbs of motion, μεταβαίνω often emphasizes the *act* of moving *from* somewhere *to* somewhere else, highlighting the transition itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
μεταβαίνω appears several times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Acts, with one highly significant occurrence in John's Gospel.
* **Physical Departure/Movement:**
* In [[Matthew 8:34]], the people of Gadara "begged him to depart from their region" after the exorcism. Here, μεταβαίνω signifies a physical request for Jesus to leave their territory.
* [[Matthew 11:1]] states that "When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities." This illustrates Jesus's purposeful movement from one teaching location to another.
* Similarly, [[Matthew 12:9]] and [[Matthew 15:21]] describe Jesus "going on" or "going away" from specific locations, indicating His itinerate ministry.
* In [[Matthew 17:20]], Jesus uses the word metaphorically in reference to faith moving a mountain: "you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move." While metaphorical, the underlying concept is still a radical change in physical position.
* [[Luke 10:7]] advises disciples sent out not to "move about from house to house," emphasizing stability and contentment in their lodging.
* [[John 7:3]] records Jesus's brothers urging Him, "Leave here and go to Judea," a direct command for physical relocation.
* [[Acts 18:7]] describes Paul "leaving there and going to the house of a man named Titius Justus," a straightforward account of physical movement in his missionary journey.
* **Profound Spiritual/Existential Transition:**
* The most theologically significant uses are found in the Gospel of John. In [[John 5:24]], Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." Here, μεταβαίνω denotes a radical, spiritual transformation from a state of spiritual death and condemnation to one of eternal life and fellowship with God. It is a decisive, irreversible shift in one's spiritual standing.
* Even more profoundly, [[John 13:1]] states, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father..." This describes Jesus's conscious and willed transition from His earthly life and ministry to His glorification and return to the Father. It refers not merely to His physical death, but to the culmination of His redemptive mission and His ultimate return to His divine origin.
### Related Words & Concepts
μεταβαίνω is one of several Greek verbs of motion, each with nuanced distinctions.
* ἔρχομαι `{{G2064}}` (erchomai): A very general verb for "to come" or "to go," often without specifying the origin or destination as distinctly as μεταβαίνω.
* πορεύομαι `{{G4198}}` (poreuomai): "To go," "to proceed," often implying a journey or a purposeful movement towards a destination.
* ἀπέρχομαι `{{G565}}` (aperchomai): "To go away," "to depart," often emphasizes the act of leaving a place. While similar to μεταβαίνω in denoting departure, μεταβαίνω can more strongly convey the sense of *transitioning* from one state/place *to* another.
* χωρέω `{{G5562}}` (chōreō): "To make room," "to go into," "to pass," can imply movement within a space or passage through a barrier.
In contrast to these verbs of motion, μένω `{{G3306}}` (menō), meaning "to remain" or "to abide," serves as an antonym, signifying steadfastness and lack of movement. The concept of "transition" is central to μεταβαίνω, encompassing both physical journeys and profound spiritual shifts, such as conversion or the departure from earthly life.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of μεταβαίνω is most evident in the Johannine passages. In [[John 5:24]], the "passing from death to life" is a foundational statement of Christian soteriology. It underscores that salvation is not a gradual process of self-improvement but a decisive, instantaneous act of God, wrought through faith in Christ, which fundamentally alters one's spiritual reality. This transition is from a state of condemnation under divine judgment to one of eternal life, free from that judgment. It signifies the new birth, a complete change of spiritual citizenship and destiny.
In [[John 13:1]], Jesus's "departing out of this world to the Father" highlights His divine consciousness and purposeful fulfillment of His mission. This is not merely an inevitable death but a willed, redemptive transition that culminates in His return to the Father's glory. It speaks to the sovereignty of Christ over His own life and death, His unique relationship with the Father, and the ultimate purpose of His incarnation – to accomplish salvation and return to His heavenly abode. This departure is the necessary prelude to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, completing the work of redemption. Thus, μεταβαίνω in these contexts speaks to the radical nature of salvation and the purposeful trajectory of Christ's divine mission.
### Summary
μεταβαίνω `{{G3327}}` is a Greek verb meaning "to change place," "to depart," "to go," or "to pass." While frequently used in the New Testament to describe literal physical movement, such as Jesus's itinerate ministry or the apostles' missionary journeys, its most profound theological significance emerges in the Gospel of John. There, it describes two pivotal transitions: the spiritual transformation of believers who "pass from death to life" through faith in Christ ([[John 5:24]]), and Jesus's own conscious and purposeful "departure out of this world to the Father" ([[John 13:1]]). These uses underscore the radical nature of salvation as a decisive spiritual shift and the divine intentionality of Christ's redemptive work, moving from earthly ministry to heavenly glorification.
TRV