πτύσσω (ptussō)
ptussō
to roll up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ptussō means to fold or roll something up, particularly when referring to a scroll. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Luke 4:20, where Jesus closes the book of Isaiah after reading from it in the synagogue. This simple action marks the end of his public reading and the beginning of his teaching.
Its meaning is concrete and physical: rolling up a scroll to put it away or hand it back. The sources suggest a connection to words meaning to spread out, implying that ptussō is the reverse action—returning the scroll to its stored state. This contrast highlights the transition from reading to silence.
Translators consistently render it as "rolled up" or "closed," capturing the finality of the gesture. The word does not carry abstract theological weight on its own; instead, it grounds the scene in a tangible moment of Jewish worship practice. It reminds readers that Jesus engaged with Scripture in a physical, real way.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ptussō describes a simple, physical act: rolling up a scroll. In Luke 4:20, Jesus closes the book of Isaiah after reading it in the synagogue. This gesture marks the end of the public reading and the start of his teaching. It is not a metaphor for spiritual closure but a concrete action grounded in Jewish worship practice.
This word reminds us that Scripture was handled physically by Jesus. He did not just speak abstract ideas; he engaged with real books in real spaces. The act of rolling up the scroll signals a transition from reading to silence, and then to explanation. It invites us to see Jesus as fully present in his historical moment.
For your faith, this detail highlights the tangible nature of God's word. Jesus respected the physical text, treating it with care. When you read Scripture today, remember that these words were once rolled up and unrolled by hands just like yours. This connection bridges the ancient world and your life now, making the biblical narrative feel immediate and real.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having rolled up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πτύξας1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 4:20
He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
This occurrence captures the precise moment Jesus transitions from reading Isaiah to teaching, grounding his authority in a tangible Jewish worship practice.