Greek word · G4802

συζητέω

syzēteō

to debate

To seek or examine together. From that comes discussing, debating or disputing, and sometimes arguing heatedly (Mark 9:14, 16; Acts 6:9; 9:29).

Appears 10 times in 10 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-ζητέω

(Rec. συζ-), -ῶ, [in LXX: Nehemiah 2:4 AB1 (בָּקַשׁ pi.) * ;]

1. to search or examine together (Plat.).

2. In NT (and π., see MM, xxiii; also in MGr., see Kennedy, Sources, 155), to discuss, dispute: Mark 1:27 12:28, Luke 24:15; before quæst. indir., Mark 9:10; with dative of person(s), Mark 8:11 Acts 6:9; before πρός, with accusative of person(s), Mark 9:14, 16, Acts 9:29; id. before quæst. indir., Luke 22:23.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Mark 12:28

Range of meaning

To seek or examine together. From that comes discussing, debating or disputing, and sometimes arguing heatedly (Mark 9:14, 16; Acts 6:9; 9:29).

Against the English

The KJV's "reasoning together" is too mild and the YLT's "disputing" is a little too strong. BSB's "debate" fits best: an argument held in public about a point of interpretation.

Used elsewhere in the period

Mark uses the word for disputes between scribes and the disciples (9:14), for the disciples arguing among themselves (9:10; compare 1:27), and for the Pharisees arguing with Jesus (8:11).

From the study of Luke 24:15

Range of meaning

To examine together, to discuss, to question one another; often to dispute or argue. It is built from σύν ('with') and ζητέω ('to seek, inquire').

Against the English

'Deliberated' (BSB), 'reasoned' (KJV), 'questioned together' (WEB), 'discussing' (ESV, NIV). 'Reasoned' can sound calm and logical to modern ears, but the word usually carries perplexity or contention. 'Discussing' is accurate but mild.

How it drifted

Not a strong drift. The English options simply lean calmer than the Greek's typical usage.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT mostly in Mark and Luke, and usually for argument or puzzled questioning: Mark 8:11 (Pharisees 'began to argue with him'); Mark 9:14, 16 (scribes 'arguing'); Mark 9:10 ('questioning what rising from the dead meant'); Luke 22:23 (disciples 'began to question among themselves' who would betray him); Acts 6:9; 9:29 ('disputed'). BDAG gives both 'discuss' and 'dispute' as senses.

From the study of Acts 6:9

Range of meaning

Literally 'to seek together': to examine or discuss together, which easily slides into arguing or disputing. Context decides whether it is friendly inquiry or hostile argument.

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'disputing', BSB 'disputed', ESV and NASB 'disputing' or 'argued'. These are all fair. 'Disputing' may sound more bitter than the word itself, though verses 10–11 show it turned hostile.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Mark for scribes debating with Jesus (Mark 8:11; 9:14) and for the disciples discussing among themselves (Mark 9:10). In Acts 9:29 Saul himself 'disputes' with the Hellenists, quite possibly the same circles, who then try to kill him.

Similar words

Where it appears

Mark · 6

  1. Mark 1:27 συζητεῖν to question

    All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”

    Here: “To debate.” Literally “to seek together.” In Mark this is the word for heated argument (scribes and Pharisees use it), so it means more than politely asking one another.

  2. Mark 8:11 συζητεῖν to dispute

    Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven.

    Here: 'To argue with.' This is back-and-forth debate, and in Mark it is usually tense (compare 9:14, 12:28). The word 'seek' (zēteō) sits inside it, which sets up a wordplay with the next word.

  3. Mark 9:10 συζητοῦντες questioning

    So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead.

  4. Mark 9:14 συζητοῦντας arguing

    When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.

  5. Mark 9:16 συζητεῖτε are you disputing

    “What are you disputing with them?” He asked.

  6. Mark 12:28 συζητούντων, are reasoning together,

    Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

    Here: "Debating together." The present tense pictures an argument in progress, a public back-and-forth over a disputed point of Scripture. Debate like this was ordinary scholarly practice, not just a quarrel.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 22:23 συζητεῖν to question

    Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.

  2. Luke 24:15 συζητεῖν reasoning

    And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them.

    Here: Literally 'to seek together': working a question over between them, with probing, perplexity, and perhaps some disagreement. It is stronger than 'talking': they are trying to make sense of what has happened and cannot.

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 6:9 συζητοῦντες disputing

    But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,

    Here: 'Debating with' Stephen. The present tense pictures an ongoing argument, the kind of exchange over Scripture and Law that was normal in a synagogue. It was a contest of argument, not yet violence.

  2. Acts 9:29 συνεζήτει he was debating

    He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.