ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos)
akathartos
unclean
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word akathartos literally means "not cleansed," combining a negative prefix with a root meaning to purify. In Scripture, it describes a state of impurity that extends far beyond physical dirtiness. While the Old Testament used this concept for ritual uncleanness, the New Testament applies it to ceremonial law, moral corruption, and even demonic spirits.
A defining feature of this word is its frequent pairing with "spirit" (pneuma). The Gospels use this phrase repeatedly to describe the entities Jesus encounters, such as the man in the synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:23) or the boy possessed by a spirit that throws him into convulsions (Mark 9:25). This usage highlights a spiritual reality of corruption that opposes God’s holiness.
Translators often render akathartos as "unclean," but the term carries a weight of moral and ritual defilement. It appears in Acts when Peter refuses to call anything impure that God has cleansed (Acts 10:15), and in Revelation to describe the Babylonian system’s moral filth (Revelation 18:2). The word consistently points to what is separated from purity, whether in law, ethics, or spiritual allegiance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word akathartos describes a state of being unclean, covering both ritual impurity and moral corruption. In the Gospels, it frequently modifies 'spirit,' pointing to forces that oppose God's holiness. Jesus’ encounters with these spirits show His authority over every form of defilement, offering hope that no darkness is beyond His reach.
This term also appears in Acts when Peter learns that God has cleansed what was once considered unclean. This shift reminds us that the gospel breaks down barriers between people. We are invited to trust in Christ’s power to purify our hearts and to treat others with the dignity He gives, seeing beyond outward appearances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unclean25×
- unclean,4×
- unclean.1×
- unclean person1×
- unclean [things]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀκάθαρτον7×
- ἀκαθάρτῳ5×
- ἀκάθαρτα4×
- ἀκαθάρτου4×
- ἀκαθάρτων3×
- ἀκαθάρτοις2×
- ἀκάθαρτά1×
- ἀκάθαρτος1×
- ἀκάθαρτον.1×
- ἀκάθαρτον,1×
- ἀκάθαρτα,1×
- ἀκαθάρτων,1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 1:23
Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out,
This verse introduces a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue, highlighting Jesus' immediate authority over spiritual corruption.
-
Acts 10:14
But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”
Peter uses this word to describe food he considers ritually impure, setting the stage for God's revelation that all people are cleansed by faith.
-
Mark 5:8
For he said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
Jesus commands the unclean spirit to leave the man, demonstrating His power to restore those oppressed by evil forces.
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Matthew 10:1
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
Jesus grants His disciples authority over unclean spirits, showing that this power is shared with those who follow Him.