πίπτω (piptō)
piptō
to collapse
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 85 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb piptō describes the physical act of falling, whether an object dropping from a height or a person collapsing to the ground. Its basic sense is movement from a higher position to a lower one, capturing events as varied as a sparrow hitting the earth (Matthew 10:29) or a stone tumbling into the sea (Mark 9:42). The word conveys suddenness and gravity, emphasizing the loss of support that causes the descent.
Beyond physical motion, piptō frequently signifies prostration in acts of worship or submission. When figures fall before Jesus’ feet or cast themselves down in reverence, the action communicates humility and awe (Matthew 2:11; Revelation 5:8). This posture of falling also appears in moments of overwhelming emotion, such as when disciples fall to the ground in terror or grief, or when individuals are overcome by illness or spiritual attack.
The sources highlight a metaphorical extension where piptō describes moral or spiritual decline. To "fall" can mean to lose one’s standing, as when Paul warns believers not to fall into temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12) or when Jesus asks the church in Ephesus how far they have fallen from their first love (Revelation 2:5). This usage connects physical collapse with a loss of stability, integrity, or favor.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about people falling down in Scripture, it is easy to see only physical weakness or defeat. Yet this word often marks a moment of profound humility and awe. The Magi fell before the child Jesus, not because they were broken, but because they recognized His true identity. In those moments, lowering oneself is an act of worship that opens the heart to receive grace.
There are also times when we feel our own stability slipping away. Like the house built on sand, life’s storms can shake our foundations. But the text reminds us that even when circumstances seem to collapse, God’s care remains. He holds the sparrows and knows their fall; He sees our struggles and offers a rock that does not move.
This word invites us to examine where we place our trust. Are we standing on our own strength, or resting in His faithfulness? When we feel weak, we are invited to fall into His hands, where mercy is found. It is a reminder that true strength often begins with surrender.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 85 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fell21×
- having fallen11×
- will fall3×
- fell down3×
- falls.3×
- falling3×
- I fell3×
- may fall2×
- it may fall,2×
- it fell;2×
- he fell2×
- he falls2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔπεσεν26×
- πεσὼν12×
- ἔπεσαν10×
- ἔπεσα3×
- πεσοῦνται3×
- ἔπεσεν·2×
- πίπτει.2×
- πίπτει2×
- πέσῃ,2×
- πέσῃ2×
- πέσετε2×
- πιπτόντων2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 2:11
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This occurrence shows falling as an act of worship and recognition of Jesus' divine identity.
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Matthew 7:25
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Here the word contrasts a house that falls with one founded on rock, illustrating spiritual stability.
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Matthew 10:29
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
It emphasizes God's sovereign care even in the smallest and most fragile moments of life.
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Matthew 26:39
He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
Jesus falling on His face demonstrates deep submission to the Father's will in a moment of great distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word piptō mean?
Why do people fall down in the Bible?
Is falling always a bad thing in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (85 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 18 verses
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening…
Matthew 4:9He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded…
Matthew 7:27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
Matthew 10:29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 13:4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…
Matthew 13:7Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
Matthew 13:8Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 15:14Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 15:27But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Matthew 17:6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
Matthew 17:15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often…
Matthew 18:26The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’
Matthew 18:29“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
Matthew 21:44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
Matthew 24:29“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the…
Matthew 26:39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away…