Greek word · G4814

συλλαλέω

syllaleō

to talk with

"To talk with, converse, discuss together." The syn- prefix stresses that the speaking is mutual. It is used of ordinary conversation and of consulting together.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

to talk or converse with another, (New Testament) (ML)

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 Matthew 17:3

Range of meaning

"To talk with, converse, discuss together." The syn- prefix stresses that the speaking is mutual. It is used of ordinary conversation and of consulting together.

Against the English

"Talking with" is accurate. YLT's "talking together with" keeps the double "with" (syn- plus meta) of the Greek.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDAG s.v. In the New Testament: Mark 9:4; Luke 4:36 (people "discussing with one another"); Luke 9:30; 22:4 (Judas "conferred with" the chief priests); Acts 25:12 (Festus "conferred with" his council).

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 17:3 συλλαλοῦντες talking

    Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

    Here: A present participle, so the conversation is in progress when the disciples see it. The prefix syn- ("with") makes it a real two-way exchange. Matthew does not say what they discussed. Luke 9:31 says it was Jesus' coming "departure" (exodos) in Jerusalem.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 9:4 συλλαλοῦντες talking with

    And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Luke · 3

  1. Luke 4:36 συνελάλουν they were speaking

    All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

    Here: The tense shows ongoing action: 'they kept talking it over.' It was a buzz of conversation, not one shout.

  2. Luke 9:30 συνελάλουν were talking

    Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus.

  3. Luke 22:4 συνελάλησεν he spoke with

    And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 25:12 συλλαλήσας having conferred

    Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

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