ἐξουδενόω (exoudenoō)
exoudenoō
be rejected
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb exoudenōō means to treat someone or something as having zero value. It describes an attitude of total disregard, where a person is held in no account and treated with contempt. The word combines a prefix meaning "out" with a root related to "nothingness," effectively painting a picture of reducing a subject to null status.
In the New Testament, this strong term appears only once, in Mark 9:12. Jesus uses it to describe how the Son of Man will be treated by his generation. The context suggests that the religious leaders and society at large would dismiss his identity and mission, refusing to acknowledge any worth in him.
Translators often render this as "despised" or "rejected," but the Greek carries a sharper edge than simple refusal. It implies an active snubbing of value. While other words might describe being ignored, exoudenōō points to a deliberate devaluation, treating the divine messenger as if he were nothing at all.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word exoudenoō carries a heavy weight in Scripture, describing a deliberate act of treating someone as having zero value. In Mark 9:12, Jesus uses this strong term to predict His own suffering. He knows that the religious leaders and society would not merely ignore Him, but actively dismiss His identity and mission. They would look at the divine messenger and see nothing worth acknowledging.
This reality offers a profound comfort when we face rejection or unfair treatment ourselves. When people devalue us, it does not reflect our true worth in God's eyes. Jesus endured this ultimate snub to secure our salvation. His experience reminds us that being misunderstood or despised by the world is often part of walking faithfully with Him.
We can find hope in knowing that God sees our value even when others do not. The same One who was treated as nothing is now exalted at the right hand of the Father. Your worth is secure in Christ, regardless of how the world treats you today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may be set at naught.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξουδενηθῇ.1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 9:12
He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?
This verse uses the term to describe the Son of Man being despised, highlighting the active devaluation Jesus faced from His generation.