ῥίπτω (rhiptō)

The verb rhiptō means to throw or cast something with force and often haste. In the New Testament, it describes physical actions where objects or people are hurled down, such as when Judas throws the silver pieces into the temple (Matthew 27:5) or when sailors jettison cargo during a storm (Acts 27:19). The word carries a sense of sudden motion, suggesting that the action is not performed with careful deliberation but rather with urgency or disregard.

It is used both transitively and passively. In Luke 4:35, Jesus commands an unclean spirit to come out, using a form that implies casting it down from its hold. The passive participle appears in Matthew 9:36, describing crowds as being "cast down" or prostrate, highlighting their physical exhaustion or spiritual helplessness. This usage emphasizes the weight of the situation rather than just the act of throwing.

Translators typically render rhiptō as "throw," "cast," or "jettison." The sources note that while it can mean simply to lay down, the context usually involves a downward motion or a lack of care. For instance, in Acts 22:23, the crowd’s reaction is described with a strengthened form, indicating they were throwing dust into the air—a gesture of intense agitation and rejection. The word captures a moment of decisive, often violent, physical action.