ἐκπειράζω (ekpeirazō)
ekpeirazō
to test/tempt
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekpeirazō describes a thorough testing or proving, carrying the weight of putting someone or something to its limits. In the New Testament, it appears in only four verses, yet its usage is strikingly specific. It is applied not just to human trials, but primarily to divine figures: God and Jesus Christ. This creates a tense theological atmosphere, as the word implies a demand for proof rather than a passive experience of difficulty.
Its most notable occurrences involve attempts to trap or challenge authority. In Luke 4:12 and Matthew 4:7, Jesus rejects Satan’s temptation by quoting Deuteronomy, refusing to "put the Lord your God to the test." Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 10:9, Paul warns believers against testing Christ through idolatry, just as Israel did in the wilderness. The word also appears in Luke 10:25, where a lawyer seeks to test Jesus with a question about eternal life.
The prefix ek- suggests an exhaustive or outward demonstration, implying that this is not a subtle inquiry but a direct challenge. Translators often render it as "tempt" when referring to Satan’s actions against God, highlighting the malicious intent behind the test. In other contexts, such as the lawyer’s question, it reflects a desire to expose weakness or error in teaching.
Unlike simple testing that builds character, ekpeirazō often carries a negative connotation of presumption. It assumes one has the right to demand evidence from God or Christ, rather than trusting their word. This distinction is crucial for understanding why Jesus and Paul respond with such strong warnings against this attitude in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekpeirazō captures a specific kind of pressure—one that pushes boundaries to see if something holds up. In Scripture, it is rarely used for gentle growth. Instead, it describes a demand for proof, often with an undertone of challenge or even hostility. When we encounter this term, we are reminded that trust is not about demanding evidence before believing; it is about resting in who God has already revealed Himself to be.
Jesus faced this directly when Satan urged Him to throw Himself from the temple, expecting divine rescue as proof of identity. Jesus refused, quoting Deuteronomy to show that testing God is not faith but presumption. Similarly, Paul warns the Corinthian church against repeating Israel’s mistake in the wilderness, where dissatisfaction led to idolatry and judgment. These passages invite us to examine our own hearts: are we seeking God with open trust, or are we setting conditions for His presence?
This word calls us away from a transactional relationship with heaven. It reminds us that God does not owe us signs on demand. Instead, He offers Himself freely in Christ. Our response is not to test Him, but to believe what He has already done. This posture of humility opens the door to genuine peace and deeper reliance on His promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will test2×
- testing1×
- shall we test1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκπειράσεις2×
- ἐκπειράζων1×
- ἐκπειράζωμεν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:7
Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”
Jesus uses this word to reject Satan’s demand for a miraculous sign, establishing that true trust does not require God to prove Himself through spectacle.
-
Luke 10:25
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
The lawyer employs this term to describe his intent to trap Jesus in a theological error, highlighting how testing can be used as a weapon rather than a search for truth.
-
I Corinthians 10:9
Let’s not test Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.
Paul applies this word to believers who, like Israel in the wilderness, test Christ through idolatry, warning that such presumption leads to spiritual destruction.