ῥάπισμα (rhapisma)
rhapisma
slap
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun rhapisma refers specifically to a slap or a blow delivered with the flat of the hand, rather than a strike from a weapon or fist. This precise distinction matters in the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ passion, where the word describes the humiliating physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his accusers. It appears in only three verses, concentrated in the Gospels of John and Mark.
In John 18:22, a temple officer strikes Jesus with a rhapisma after Jesus answers the high priest’s inquiry. The word underscores the casual cruelty and disrespect shown to a prisoner, marking the moment as one of unjust humiliation rather than combat. Similarly, in Mark 14:65, the guards spit on him and strike him with their hands, using the same term to describe these degrading acts.
The root verb rhaptō means to stitch or sew, which might seem unrelated at first, but the connection lies in the motion of the hand striking like a needle. This etymology highlights the sharp, sudden nature of the blow. Translators consistently render rhapisma as "slap" to preserve this specific image of contemptuous violence against Jesus’ face.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rhapisma describes a slap, a blow delivered with the flat of the hand. It appears in only three verses, all within the passion narratives of Mark and John. This specific term highlights the casual cruelty and disrespect shown to Jesus during his arrest. It was not a strike from a weapon or a fist, but a degrading act meant to humiliate a prisoner.
In John 18:22, an officer slaps Jesus after he answers the high priest. Mark 14:65 uses the same word for the guards’ actions, alongside spitting and covering his face. These details show the depth of Jesus’ suffering. He endured unjust humiliation without retaliation, bearing the weight of human sin.
For your faith, this reminds us that Christ understands physical abuse and shame. His willingness to endure such treatment shows his love for you. It invites you to trust in a Savior who suffered willingly for your sake.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with the palms1×
- blows with the palm.1×
- a blow with the palm1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ῥάπισμα1×
- ῥαπίσματα.¶1×
- ῥαπίσμασιν1×
Key Verses
-
John 18:22
When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
This verse captures the moment an officer slaps Jesus for answering the high priest, highlighting the unjust nature of the abuse.
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Mark 14:65
Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
The guards use this term alongside spitting to describe their degrading treatment of Jesus, emphasizing his humiliation.
-
John 19:3
They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.
Soldiers slap Jesus while mocking him as King of the Jews, showing the contempt he faced even during the trial.