Word Study for G4260 (προβαίνω)

probaínō /prob-ah'-ee-no/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom πρό and the base of βάσις

Meaningto walk forward, i.e. advance (literally, or in years)

KJV usage+ be of a great age, go farther (on), be well stricken.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of probaínō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word probaínō, represented by G4260, means to walk forward or advance. It is used for both literal progression and for advancing in years. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, often translated as "going on," "gone further," or being "well stricken" in age.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4260 is used in two distinct ways. Literally, it describes Jesus's physical movement as He went on to call the disciples James and John after calling Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:21, Mark 1:19). Figuratively, it is used to describe individuals who have advanced far in life. Both Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and her husband Zacharias are described as "well stricken in years" (Luke 1:7, Luke 1:18). Similarly, the prophetess Anna is described as being "of a great age" Luke 2:36, setting the stage for her recognition of the infant Jesus.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G4260 is used:

G2250 hēméra (day, years): This word for a period of time is used directly with G4260 to describe Elisabeth and Zacharias as being advanced "in their years" (Luke 1:7, Luke 1:18).
G4246 presbýtēs (an old man): This term is used by Zacharias to describe himself as "an old man" in the same verse where he states his wife is "well stricken" G4260 in years Luke 1:18.
G4723 steíros (barren): Elisabeth's condition of being barren is mentioned alongside her advanced age G4260, highlighting the miraculous nature of her eventual pregnancy Luke 1:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4260 comes from its dual application in the narrative.

Progression of the Gospel: When used literally, the word marks the forward momentum of Jesus's ministry as He goes on to gather His first followers, initiating His mission on earth Matthew 4:21.
Setting for Divine Power: The description of Elisabeth as "well stricken" G4260 in years emphasizes a human limitation that God overcomes, showing His power to bring about His promises outside of natural expectations Luke 1:7.
Testament of Faithfulness: For Anna, being "of a great age" G4260 is directly linked to her long life of faithful service, presenting her advanced years as a mark of enduring devotion that is rewarded by seeing the Messiah Luke 2:36.

Summary

In summary, G4260 is a word that signifies advancement, both physically and chronologically. It captures the literal forward movement of Jesus's ministry and, more significantly, frames the advanced age of key figures not as an end, but as the perfect setting for God to demonstrate His miraculous power and to honor a lifetime of faith. It shows how the progression of time serves the unfolding of God's divine plan.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Perfect Active Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 2×
Perfect Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (3 verses); never once in the other 24.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.