παίω (paiō)
paiō
to strike
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb paio means to strike or smite, often implying a single, decisive blow. It is less violent than its stronger counterpart, plēssō, and can describe physical contact with the hand, fist, or sword. In the Gospels, it appears when Jesus is struck by soldiers (Matthew 26:68; Luke 22:64) and when a servant cuts off an ear with a sword (Mark 14:47; John 18:10). This usage highlights the sudden, physical nature of the action.
In Revelation, paio takes on a specific nuance: to sting. The text describes scorpions given power to torment people for five months, striking with a painful sting (Revelation 9:5). Here, the word shifts from general combat to a targeted, agonizing wound. Translators usually render it "strike" or "smite," but the context in Revelation emphasizes the sharp, lingering pain of the blow rather than just the force.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word παίω (pairō) describes a sharp, decisive strike. It appears in the Gospels during Jesus’ arrest, when soldiers hit Him and cut off an ear. These moments show how quickly violence can erupt, yet Jesus remains calm. His response reveals a peace that does not rely on fighting back.
In Revelation, the word takes on a darker tone. Scorpions strike with painful stings to torment people. This imagery reminds us that suffering can feel sharp and lingering. Still, even in pain, God’s limits are real. He sets boundaries around what we endure.
When life brings sudden blows or hidden hurts, remember this: Christ was struck for you. His wounds were not meaningless. They opened a way to grace. You do not have to face pain alone. He walks with you through every strike.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having struck2×
- struck1×
- it may strike1×
- he struck1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔπαισεν2×
- παίσας2×
- παίσῃ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:68
saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?”
This verse highlights the mockery Jesus endured, showing how paiō captures the physical humiliation of being struck during His arrest.
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John 18:10
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Here, Peter uses a sword to strike Malchus, illustrating the sudden, violent impulse that paiō describes in response to threat.
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Revelation of John 9:5
They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person.
The word shifts to describe the sting of scorpions, emphasizing intense, targeted pain rather than general combat violence.