STRONGS NT 2736: κατωτέρωκατωτέρω, seeκάτω, especially 2 b.
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’s Greek number 2736 gathers together a small cluster of closely-related terms that describe what is “down,” “below,” or “beneath.” Although the vocabulary itself is unassuming, the Spirit employs it at key moments to contrast heaven and earth, divine initiative and human helplessness, exaltation and humility, life and death. Every occurrence clusters around one of these theological contrasts, allowing the reader to see how God’s redemptive purposes move decisively from above to below.
In the Wilderness: The Descent of Faith (Matthew 4:6;Luke 4:9)
At the pinnacle of the temple Satan challenges the Son to hurl Himself “down,” daring Him to force the Father’s hand. The word underscores the proposed downward plunge that would shortcut obedience. The Lord refuses. True faith trusts the Father without theatrical proof. The first use of the word therefore points to Christ’s steadfast refusal to descend into presumption, a model for every believer tempted to demand spectacular deliverance.
In the Courtyard: Peter’s Spiritual Descent (Mark 14:66)
While Jesus is tried upstairs, Peter is “below in the courtyard.” The narrative placement is deliberate. Physically beneath his Lord, Peter also sinks morally, descending into denial. Later restoration will lift him up, but the adverb quietly reminds the reader that self-confidence takes the soul downward.
The Torn Veil: Access from Top to Bottom (Matthew 27:51;Mark 15:38)
“Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” By choosing “bottom,” Scripture declares the completeness of the tear. The origin “from top” shows the act to be entirely divine; the reaching of the tear “to bottom” shows that access has reached the earthly realm. Heaven initiates, earth receives. The vocabulary of vertical direction thus preaches the gospel: God removes every barrier, leaving nothing undone for sinners who will draw near through the blood of Christ.
The Posture of the Incarnate Judge (John 8:6)
“But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.” While the crowd stands ready to condemn, the sinless Judge stoops. The gesture—captured by the adverb—embodies condescension, patience, and silent conviction. Judgment will come, yet first the Savior lowers Himself to offer mercy.
Above and Below in Johannine Christology (John 8:23)
“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Here “below” is not a mere spatial locator but an ontological statement. Humanity’s native sphere is defined by sin and limitation; Christ’s origin and authority are heavenly. The verse summarizes the chasm He has crossed, preparing the way for believers to be “born from above” (John 3:3 lit.). The contrast calls listeners to relocate their identity by faith.
Eschatological Signs and the Spirit’s Outpouring (Acts 2:19)
“I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below.” The Joel citation binds together the entire created order under God’s prophetic timetable. Wonders aloft, signs beneath—both testify that the last days have dawned with the Spirit’s arrival. The adverb reminds the church that end-time realities are not confined to distant heavens; they invade ordinary earth, compelling witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
A Fallen Youth and Resurrection Power (Acts 20:9)
Eutychus “fell from the third account and was picked up dead.” The fatal plunge dramatizes human frailty. Yet Paul descends, embraces the lad, and life is restored. From upper room to courtyard, the gospel moves downward to raise the fallen, echoing the incarnation itself.
Geography of Wickedness (Matthew 2:16)
Herod’s massacre reaches “the surrounding region farther below” Bethlehem (κατωτέρω). The vocabulary charts the spread of evil outward and downward, contrasting sharply with heaven’s descending mercy in the previous narratives. Darkness may flow downward, yet it cannot overturn the upward call embodied in the preserved Child.
Theological Themes
1. Heavenly initiative: God acts from above downward (veil, Pentecost).
2. Human frailty: Sin and death are pictured in downward motion (Peter, Eutychus, Herod’s slaughter).
3. Christ’s humility: The Lord willingly takes the lower place (John 8:6), then lifts others up.
4. Eschatological reversal: What is below will be raised; what is merely earthly must receive life from above.
Pastoral and Ministry Implications
• Temptation often invites a precipitous descent; victory lies in trusting God’s timing.
• Spiritual failure does not have to be final; the risen Christ restores those who have fallen beneath.
• Gospel ministry follows a downward trajectory of humble service, reaching those at the lowest point.
• Worship celebrates the veil torn all the way to the bottom, assuring believers of full, unhindered access.
• Preaching should retain the biblically balanced perspective: signs above inspire awe, but signs below demand practical witness in the here and now.
The small adverb κάτω and its comparative κατωτέρω thus point persistently to the grand movement of redemption: the God who is above comes down, so that those below may be lifted up forever.
Forms and Transliterations
κατοδυνωμένων κατω κάτω κατώδυνοι κατώδυνος κατωδύνων κάτωθεν κατωτέραν κατώτερον κατωτερω κατωτέρω kato katō káto kátō katotero katotéro katōterō katōtérōLinks
Interlinear Greek •Interlinear Hebrew •Strong's Numbers •Englishman's Greek Concordance •Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •Parallel Texts
