ἀποτινάσσω (apotinassō)
apotinassō
to shake off
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apotinassō means to shake off or brush away, describing a physical motion of clearing dust or debris from one’s body. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Luke and Acts, where it carries a strong sense of decisive separation. The word combines the prefix apo, indicating removal, with tinassō, meaning to jostle or shake.
This action serves as a vivid metaphor for rejecting responsibility or association. In Luke 9:5, Jesus instructs his disciples to shake the dust off their feet when leaving a town that rejects them, signaling that they are no longer bound to that community’s fate. Similarly, in Acts 28:5, Paul shakes off a venomous snake into the fire, an act that demonstrates his immunity and refusal to be harmed by the creature.
Translators typically render this word as "shake off," preserving the physical immediacy of the gesture. The sources highlight its use in contexts of finality, where the shaking represents a clean break rather than a lingering attachment. This concrete imagery helps readers understand the seriousness with which early Christians viewed their mission and boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face rejection or hostility, it is natural to want to argue, defend ourselves, or carry the weight of others’ opinions. The word apotinassō describes a simple physical act: shaking dust from one’s feet. In the ancient world, this was not just about cleanliness; it was a clear signal that a person was moving on and leaving behind whatever had been left there. It represents a decisive step forward, freeing the heart from the burden of those who have refused to listen.
Jesus used this image to show His followers that they were not responsible for forcing the message upon unwilling hearts. Similarly, when Paul shook off a snake in Acts, he demonstrated that he would not be defined by fear or harm. This word invites us to release what we cannot control. It encourages a spirit of freedom, trusting that our worth and mission are secure, regardless of how others respond.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having shaken off1×
- do shake off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποτινάσσετε1×
- ἀποτινάξας1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 9:5
As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
This verse establishes the word as a symbolic act of leaving judgment behind rather than engaging in conflict with those who reject the message.
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Acts 28:5
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed.
Here the physical action demonstrates Paul’s immunity to harm and his refusal to let fear dictate his actions or identity.