ἐνδιδύσκω (endiduskō)
endiduskō
to dress
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb endiduskō describes the act of putting on clothes or being clothed in something. It is a rare word in the New Testament, appearing only twice, and carries a straightforward physical meaning rather than a metaphorical one. In Mark 15:17, it depicts Roman soldiers dressing Jesus in a purple robe as part of their mockery before the crucifixion. The text uses the middle voice form, suggesting they were actively clothing Him.
In Luke 16:19, the same word appears in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Here it describes the rich man’s daily habit of wearing fine linen and purple garments. This usage highlights a state of being dressed in luxury, contrasting sharply with Lazarus’s condition. The sources note that while the active voice can mean to clothe another, the middle voice typically means to clothe oneself.
Etymologically, the word is related to diduskō, meaning to put on or dress. Its rarity in Scripture means it does not carry heavy theological weight like other terms for clothing or righteousness. Instead, it serves as a precise narrative detail, grounding stories in the tangible reality of human attire and social status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word endiduskō simply means to dress or put on clothes. It appears only twice in the New Testament, offering a clear look at how clothing was used to signal status and role in ancient times. In Mark 15:17, Roman soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe to mock His claim to kingship. This act of dressing Him highlights the stark contrast between earthly power and divine humility.
Luke 16:19 uses the same word to describe the rich man who was habitually clothed in fine linen and purple. Here, the clothing reflects a life of constant luxury and self-indulgence. The text does not condemn the act of dressing well but points to how such attire can become a barrier to seeing those in need around us.
For your faith, this word reminds us that outward appearance is temporary. While we may wear garments that signify wealth or authority, our true standing before God is defined by our heart and actions toward others. It invites reflection on what we 'wear' metaphorically—whether pride or humility—and encourages a focus on inner character over external display.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they dress1×
- he was clothed in1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐνεδιδύσκετο1×
- ἐνδιδύσκουσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 15:17
They clothed him with purple; and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
This occurrence uses the middle voice to show soldiers actively clothing Jesus, emphasizing the physical reality of their mockery.
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Luke 16:19
“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
Here the word describes the rich man's daily state of being dressed in luxury, setting up a visual contrast with Lazarus.