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ἐμπαίζω (empaizō)

empaizō

to mock

G1702 · Greek · New Testament · 13 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
13 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb empaizō describes a cruel form of mockery, often involving ridicule or deception. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, primarily within the passion narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The word carries a sense of treating someone with contempt, as when soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe and mocked him before his crucifixion (Matthew 27:29). It is not merely teasing but an aggressive act intended to humiliate.

Its root combines a prefix implying intensity with a verb related to playing or trifling. This etymology highlights the grotesque nature of the act: treating a serious situation, or a person’s suffering, as a game. The sources note its use in both active and passive forms, such as when Jesus predicts he will be mocked (Luke 18:32) or when the crowd mocks him on the cross (Mark 15:31). This usage underscores the depth of his humiliation.

Translators typically render empaizō as "mock" or "ridicule," capturing the scornful tone. The word appears in contexts where Jesus’ identity is questioned or denied through jest. By using this term, the Gospel writers emphasize the hostility faced by Jesus, contrasting the world’s mockery with his silent endurance. This linguistic choice helps readers grasp the emotional weight of the events described.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word empaizō describes a cruel form of mockery, often involving ridicule or deception. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, primarily within the passion narratives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The word carries a sense of treating someone with contempt, as when soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe and mocked him before his crucifixion (Matthew 27:29). It is not merely teasing but an aggressive act intended to humiliate.

Its root combines a prefix implying intensity with a verb related to playing or trifling. This etymology highlights the grotesque nature of the act: treating a serious situation, or a person’s suffering, as a game. The sources note its use in both active and passive forms, such as when Jesus predicts he will be mocked (Luke 18:32) or when the crowd mocks him on the cross (Mark 15:31). This usage underscores the depth of his humiliation.

Translators typically render empaizō as "mock" or "ridicule," capturing the scornful tone. The word appears in contexts where Jesus’ identity is questioned or denied through jest. By using this term, the Gospel writers emphasize the hostility faced by Jesus, contrasting the world’s mockery with his silent endurance. This linguistic choice helps readers grasp the emotional weight of the events described.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • to mock2×
  • they had mocked2×
  • mocking2×
  • will be mocked1×
  • were mocking1×
  • they will mock1×
  • they mocked1×
  • he had been outwitted1×
  • having mocked1×
  • Mocked1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἐνέπαιξαν4×
  • ἐμπαίζοντες2×
  • ἐνέπαιζον1×
  • ἐνεπαίχθη1×
  • ἐμπαῖξαι1×
  • ἐμπαίξουσιν1×
  • ἐμπαίξας,1×
  • ἐμπαίζειν1×
  • ἐμπαιχθήσεται1×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 27:29
    They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

    This verse captures the physical cruelty of the act, where soldiers dress Jesus in a purple robe and crown him with thorns to ridicule his claim to kingship.

  • Mark 15:31
    Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.

    Here the religious leaders use mockery as a theological challenge, demanding that Jesus save himself if he truly is the Messiah.

  • Luke 18:32
    For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.

    Jesus predicts this specific type of humiliation in advance, showing his full awareness of the suffering he would endure for humanity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does empaizō mean in the Bible?

Empaizō is a Greek verb that means to mock, ridicule, or treat someone with contempt. It appears thirteen times in the New Testament, mostly in the passion narratives where Jesus is mocked by soldiers and religious leaders.

How is empaizō different from other words for mocking?

While other Greek words like gelao mean to laugh, empaizō implies a more aggressive and degrading form of ridicule. It often involves treating someone’s suffering or serious claims as a joke, highlighting the cruelty of the act.

Why do the Gospels focus so much on Jesus being mocked?

The Gospel writers use empaizō to show the depth of Jesus’ humiliation and the hostility he faced. It contrasts the world’s rejection with his silent endurance, fulfilling prophecies about the suffering servant.

Every Occurrence (13 verses across 3 books)

Matthew 5 verses
Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male…

Matthew 20:19

and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up.”

Matthew 27:29

They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him…

Matthew 27:31

When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Matthew 27:41

Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,

Mark 3 verses
Luke 5 verses