πιστικός (pistikos)
pistikos
pure
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective pistikos describes something as genuine, trustworthy, or reliable. While it shares a root with the common word for faith, its usage here is quite specific. It does not refer to a person’s act of believing, but rather to the quality of being solid enough to be trusted.
In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, and both instances apply to physical objects rather than people or abstract concepts. Mark 14:3 and John 12:3 use it to describe pure nard ointment used for anointing Jesus. The word confirms that the perfume was authentic and unadulterated, distinguishing it from inferior substitutes.
Classical sources note a broader sense of "persuasive" or "convincing," but the biblical usage narrows this to reliability. By calling the ointment pistikos, the texts emphasize its high value and integrity. It serves as a concrete marker of authenticity in a narrative about devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pistikos appears in Scripture to describe something genuine and free from impurity or adulteration. In the New Testament, it is used only twice, both times referring to a jar of pure nard ointment. This specific usage highlights that the object was authentic and of high value, setting it apart from inferior substitutes.
When we encounter this term in Mark 12:3 or John 14:3, we see a tangible expression of devotion. The woman did not offer diluted perfume; she gave something pure and costly. This reminds us that our offerings to God are most meaningful when they reflect sincerity and integrity, rather than being mixed with compromise.
This focus on purity invites us to consider the quality of our own hearts. Just as the ointment was unadulterated, our faith and love can be genuine and wholehearted. It is a simple but powerful image of giving our best to Jesus without holding back.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pure2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πιστικῆς2×
Key Verses
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Mark 14:3
While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head.
The term identifies the nard as authentic and unadulterated, emphasizing the high cost and sincerity of the woman's act of devotion.
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John 12:3
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
Here pistikos confirms the ointment was pure and precious, underscoring the value Mary placed on honoring Jesus with her best.