Friday Night Message: What Does It Mean To Watch?

June 30, 2023

Good evening Brethren …

Tonight we continue our series of messages seeking to understand what it means to “watch”, as used in the Bible.  Last week we asked the question: Is it wrong to watch world news?  So we now have come to a point where we need to actually define what watch means, from a Biblical perspective.

●      Greek Words Translated into the English word “WATCH”

There are seven different Greek words that are translated into English as “watch” in the New Testament.  Below are the seven words in Greek and an instance of its usage for each … if you do a concordance search of the New Testament:  The Greek words are “transliterated”, and I provide a scriptural reference for each.

1. KOU-STO-DI-A – “to guard or watch”, from the Latin word custodia, from which we get the English word custodian.

Matt. 27:65 – Pilate said to them, You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.

2. PHU-LAH-KAY – “imprisoned, under guard”

Mark 2:8 – Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

This word is translated 36 times as prison, 5 times as watch of the night, 2 times as imprisonment 1 time each as to ward, to hold, to cage or to watch over flocks by night.

3. PAH-RAH-TAY-RE-OH – “to examine well, to observe”

Luke 6:7 – So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.

This word is translated 4 times as watch (in the sense of to look upon with the eyes)

4. TAY-RE-OH – “to keep, observe, reserve, preserve and hold fast”

Matt. 19:7 – So He said to him, Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but one, that is God, But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.

This word is used dozens of times in reference to keeping the law or commandments of God.

5. A-GRUP-NE-OH – “to go sleepless, to stay awake, to watch”

Luke 21:36 – Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

6. NAY-PHO – “to be sober or sober-minded”

I Pet. 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

7. GRAY-GOR-E-OH – “to watch, be diligent or vigilant”

Matt. 26:38, 40 – Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  Stay here and watch with Me.  Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter.  What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?

This word is translated 13 times as either watch or to be watchful.

Next week we will explain why Luke 21:36 cannot mean primarily to track world conditions.

Good Sabbath, good night.

Fred