μαστίζω (mastizō)
mastizō
to whip
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb mastizō means to whip or scourge, describing a violent act of physical punishment. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 22:25, where Paul is about to be flogged by Roman soldiers. The word captures the brutal reality of corporal discipline in the ancient world, often administered with a multi-lashed whip designed to inflict severe pain and injury.
Its root connects to mastix, the word for the whip itself. This lexical link emphasizes the instrument used rather than just the action. Translators typically render it as "flog" or "scourge," preserving the harshness of the original term. The single occurrence highlights a moment where Paul’s rights as a Roman citizen are invoked to prevent this specific form of public humiliation and bodily harm.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mastizō describes the brutal act of whipping, a form of punishment designed to inflict severe pain and public humiliation. In Acts 22:25, Paul faces this threat when Roman soldiers prepare to scourge him. This moment highlights the physical vulnerability believers may encounter, yet it also underscores the protection of justice and rights that God can provide in unexpected ways.
While we rarely face such violence today, the reality of suffering reminds us of Christ’s own endurance. His willingness to bear pain for others offers comfort when we walk through difficult seasons. This word invites us to trust in God’s sovereignty, even when circumstances seem harsh or unjust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to flog?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μαστίζειν;1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 22:25
When they had tied him up with straps, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”
This verse captures the moment Paul invokes his citizenship to avoid the scourge, showing how God can use legal rights to protect His servants.