ἐκτινάσσω (ektinassō)
ektinassō
to shake out/off
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ektinassō describes the physical act of shaking something off, such as dust or dirt, to remove it completely. In the New Testament, this action is rarely just about cleanliness; it serves as a powerful symbolic gesture of severing ties. By shaking the dust from their feet, individuals expressed extreme contempt and refused any further relationship with those they left behind.
This practice appears in key moments where Jesus and the apostles faced rejection. In Matthew 10:14 and Mark 6:11, Jesus instructs his disciples to shake off the dust of a town that does not welcome them. Later, in Acts 18:6, Paul performs this same act when Jewish leaders oppose his message, signaling a decisive turn toward the Gentiles. The physical motion underscores a spiritual boundary.
The word combines the prefix ek, meaning "out," with tinassō, relating to swinging or shaking. This etymology highlights the thoroughness of the removal; nothing is left clinging to the person. Translators typically render this as "shake off" or "shake the dust from," preserving the vivid imagery of a complete and final break in fellowship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shaking dust from one’s feet was a clear signal in the ancient world that a relationship had ended and responsibility had shifted. When Jesus gave this instruction, He showed His followers how to respond when their message of hope was rejected. It is not an act of petty anger, but a way to release the burden of those who refuse to listen. This gesture allows us to stop striving for acceptance where it will never be found.
In our own lives, we often carry the weight of people who dismiss our kindness or truth. This word reminds us that we are not responsible for changing hearts. We can offer what is true and then step back, trusting God with the results. It frees us from exhaustion and keeps our focus on those who are ready to receive.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do shake off2×
- having shaken out1×
- having shaken off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκτινάξατε2×
- ἐκτιναξάμενος1×
- ἐκτιναξάμενοι1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 10:14
Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Jesus establishes this as a standard practice for disciples facing rejection, showing that leaving a hostile environment is part of the mission.
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Mark 6:11
Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
The act serves as a testimony against the city, marking a serious spiritual consequence for those who ignore the apostles' message.
-
Acts 18:6
When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
Paul uses this physical gesture to declare his innocence and signal a decisive shift in ministry focus toward the Gentiles after persistent opposition.