βάπτω (baptō)
baptō
to dip
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb baptō describes the physical act of dipping or immersing something into a liquid. In the New Testament, it appears only three times, offering a concrete glimpse into daily life and ritual practice rather than abstract theology. Its core meaning is simple: to submerge briefly, such as dipping a piece of bread into a dish or plunging fabric into dye.
This distinction clarifies the usage in John 13:26, where Jesus dips a morsel of bread and gives it to Judas. Here, the action is specific and limited, contrasting with the broader concept of full immersion often associated with the related noun baptismos. The word captures a momentary contact, emphasizing the act of wetting or coloring through temporary submersion.
In Revelation 19:13, the term shifts to describe clothing dyed in blood, highlighting its secondary sense of staining or coloring. This usage connects the physical process of dyeing with vivid imagery of judgment. Translators must carefully choose between "dip" and "dye" based on context, as the word bridges both simple immersion and the resulting change in appearance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word baptō brings us back to simple, tangible actions. It describes dipping something briefly into liquid, like a sponge or a piece of bread. This is not about complex rituals but everyday moments that carry weight. In John 13:26, Jesus uses this act to identify Judas. The dipping of the bread was a specific signal, showing how ordinary gestures can reveal deep truths about our relationships and choices.
We see another side of this word in Revelation 19:13, where Christ’s garment is dipped in blood. Here, the action shifts from nourishment to judgment, painting a vivid picture of His role as the Word of God. This contrast reminds us that God meets us in both comfort and authority. Whether in the quiet intimacy of a shared meal or the awe of divine power, these small details ground our faith in reality.
Understanding baptō helps us appreciate the richness of Scripture’s imagery. It invites us to look closer at the stories we often skim over. These moments are not just historical notes; they are windows into how God interacts with humanity. Let this awareness deepen your appreciation for the concrete ways faith is lived out in daily life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will dip1×
- he may dip1×
- having dipped1×
- dipped1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βάψῃ1×
- βάψω1×
- βάψας1×
- βεβαμμένον1×
Key Verses
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John 13:26
Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
This verse captures the word's primary sense of dipping bread, using a simple act to identify Judas and reveal the tension of betrayal.
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Revelation of John 19:13
He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.”
Here the term shifts to describe a garment dipped in blood, symbolizing judgment and the fierce reality of Christ's victory.
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Luke 16:24
He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
The rich man asks for Lazarus to dip his finger in water, highlighting the word's use for brief, physical relief that is now impossible.