ὄψις (opsis)
opsis
face
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun opsis refers to the face or countenance, but its root meaning points more broadly to the act of seeing or the visual appearance itself. Derived from the verb for "to see," it describes what is visible to the eye rather than just the physical features of a person. In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, allowing each instance to carry significant descriptive weight.
In John 11:44 and Revelation 1:16, opsis identifies the face of Lazarus after his resurrection and the radiant face of the risen Christ. Here, it emphasizes the visible reality of the person before the observer. Conversely, in John 7:24, Jesus warns against judging "by appearances" (kat’ opsin). This usage highlights the distinction between superficial visual assessment and deeper truth, suggesting that what is seen with the eyes may not reveal the full character or intent.
The word bridges the physical and the perceptual. It is not merely a static portrait but an impression formed through sight. When Jesus speaks of judging by opsin, He critiques a reliance on surface-level visual data. The lexicon notes its frequent use in the Septuagint for the Hebrew mar’eh, often describing a visible manifestation or vision, which aligns with its New Testament focus on what is revealed to the viewer.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word opsis points to what we actually see with our eyes, whether it is the physical features of a person or the way something appears to us. In John 7:24, Jesus uses this term to warn against judging by mere appearance. He invites us to look past surface details and seek a deeper, more righteous understanding of others. This reminds us that our first impressions are not always the full truth.
We also see opsis in moments of profound revelation. In John 11:44, Lazarus comes out of the tomb with his face wrapped, showing the physical reality of resurrection life. Similarly, Revelation 1:16 describes Jesus’ face shining like the sun, a visible sign of His glory and authority. These passages show that what we see can reveal both human vulnerability and divine majesty.
When we encounter this word, we are reminded to be careful with our judgments. We should not rely solely on what is immediately visible. Instead, we can trust that God sees the heart fully. This perspective helps us treat others with more grace and patience, knowing that our limited view does not capture the whole story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- face2×
- appearance,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄψις2×
- ὄψιν,1×
Key Verses
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John 7:24
Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Jesus uses this term to critique superficial judgment, urging believers to look beyond surface appearances to find righteous truth.
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John 11:44
He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
The description of Lazarus’s wrapped face highlights the tangible, physical reality of the resurrection event before Jesus frees him.
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Revelation of John 1:16
He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
John describes the radiant face of Christ to convey His overwhelming glory and divine authority to the reader.