The Greek verb eggizo (ἐγγίζω) means to draw near, to approach, or to come close. It is derived from eggus (near) and appears about 42 times in the New Testament. It carries both spatial and temporal meanings — physically drawing near to a place, and time approaching its appointed moment.
Eggizo is one of the most theologically significant verbs in the New Testament Gospels. Jesus' entire proclamation begins with it: 'The kingdom of God has come near (eggiken)' (Mark 1:15). The arrival of the kingdom is not merely spatial but eschatological — a new era is breaking in. James 4:8 uses eggizo in a strikingly mutual direction: 'Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.' This reciprocity reveals the heart of the gospel — God does not wait at infinite distance for humans to climb to him; he comes near, and when we take even a step toward him, he runs to meet us. The parable of the prodigal father is the narrative expression of this theological truth.