λούω (louō)
louō
to wash
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb louō means to wash the entire body, rather than just specific parts like hands or feet. In the New Testament, it appears in only five verses, often carrying a sense of completeness. For instance, in Acts 9:37, it describes washing a dead body, while in Acts 16:33, the jailer washes himself after his conversion. This distinction from near-synonyms like nipto (washing parts) and pluno (washing clothes) highlights its focus on the whole person.
Its metaphorical use is particularly striking. In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is said to have washed believers from their sins, linking physical cleansing with spiritual purification. Similarly, Hebrews 10:22 speaks of hearts being sprinkled clean and bodies washed with pure water, emphasizing the holistic nature of this cleansing. The word’s root suggests a thorough, transformative act, making it a powerful image for both literal bathing and spiritual renewal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word louō describes a complete washing of the body, distinct from merely cleaning hands or feet. This thoroughness offers a comforting picture for your spiritual life. When Jesus speaks in John 13:10 about someone who has bathed needing only their feet washed, He points to a foundational cleanliness that remains even when daily life leaves us marked by minor failures.
Scripture uses this image of total immersion to describe our standing in Christ. In Hebrews 10:22, believers are invited to draw near with hearts cleansed and bodies washed in pure water. This is not about earning purity through effort, but resting in the complete work Jesus has done. It reminds us that our identity is rooted in being fully known and fully accepted.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he washed [them]1×
- having washed1×
- having ourselves washed1×
- having bathed himself1×
- Having washed [her]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔλουσεν1×
- λούσαντες1×
- λουσαμένη1×
- λελουσμένοι1×
- λελουμένος1×
Key Verses
-
John 13:10
Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”
Jesus uses this word to distinguish between the permanent cleansing of salvation and the temporary need for daily restoration.
-
Hebrews 10:22
let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,
The author pairs this physical washing with a cleansed conscience to encourage bold access to God.
-
Acts 16:33
He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
The Philippian jailer’s immediate act of washing his household signifies a complete break from his past life upon believing.