προσδοκάω

prosdokáō /pros-dok-ah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom πρός and dokeuo (to watch)
Meaningto anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await
KJV usage(be in) expect(-ation), look (for), when looked, tarry, wait for.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word prosdokáō, represented by G4328, means to anticipate or await, often with a sense of expectation rooted in thought, hope, or fear. It appears 18 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible. The word implies an active state of looking for or tarrying for a future person or event.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4328 is used in several key contexts. It is central to the question of Jesus' Messianic identity, as when John the Baptist's disciples ask, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" (Luke 7:20; Matthew 11:3). The word also carries a strong sense of eschatological hope, as believers are described as looking for new heavens and a new earth 2 Peter 3:13 and the coming of the day of God 2 Peter 3:12. Conversely, it is used in parables to warn of judgment, where a lord returns on a day when his servant looketh not for him, appointing his portion with the unbelievers Luke 12:46.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of anticipation and waiting:

  • G1260 dialogízomai (to deliberate, muse, reason): This word is used alongside G4328 to describe the crowd's internal state; as they were in expectation, they mused in their hearts whether John was the Christ Luke 3:15.
  • G2064 érchomai (to come or go): This verb often describes the object of expectation. The disciples of John ask if Jesus is "he that should come" or if they should look for another, directly linking the act of coming with the act of expecting Matthew 11:3.
  • G3952 parousía (coming, presence): This term for an advent or coming is the specific event believers are looking for G4328, as seen in the call to anticipate the coming of the day of God 2 Peter 3:12.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4328 is significant, highlighting a required posture of faith.

  • Messianic Inquiry: The word frames the pivotal question of the gospels: identifying the awaited Christ. It is used by those actively seeking to know if Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy Luke 7:19.
  • Eschatological Hope: For believers, G4328 defines an active hope in God's promises. It is not passive waiting but an eager looking for the "new heavens and a new earth" 2 Peter 3:13 and being found blameless in him 2 Peter 3:14.
  • Vigilance and Judgment: The term serves as a stark warning. The unprepared servant who does not look for his master's return faces being cut asunder (Luke 12:46; Matthew 24:50), linking a lack of expectation with severe consequences.

Summary

In summary, G4328 conveys an active and consequential form of anticipation. It ranges from the crowd's hopeful but uncertain expectation concerning John the Baptist Luke 3:15 to the focused, eschatological hope of the believer looking for the Lord's return 2 Peter 3:12. The word underscores that how one awaits future events—whether with vigilance or unawareness—has profound spiritual implications.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms.

  • Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 4×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 3×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 3×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 4 books. Most frequent in Luke (6 verses).

2
Matthew
6
Luke
4
Acts
3
2 Peter

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