ποτήριον

a drinking cup

Definition

The Greek word ποτήριον primarily means a physical drinking cup or vessel, as seen when Jesus asks if James and John can drink the same cup he will drink (Matthew 20:22). It is also used metaphorically to represent the contents of the cup, such as wine (1 Corinthians 10:16). Most significantly, it frequently symbolizes the portion, lot, or experience that God appoints for a person, whether of suffering, as in Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), or of divine blessing and judgment, as in references to the 'cup of blessing' (1 Corinthians 10:16) and the 'cup of his wrath' (Revelation 14:10).

Biblical Usage

Used 30 times in the New Testament, ποτήριον appears in Gospels, Pauline epistles, and Revelation. In the Gospels, it often refers literally to a cup (e.g., Matthew 23:25) or metaphorically to Jesus' suffering (Matthew 20:22-23, 26:39). Paul uses it for the communion cup (1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:25-27). In Revelation, it symbolizes God's wrath (Revelation 14:10, 16:19). The pattern shows a movement from literal object to rich theological metaphor.

Etymology

Derived from the verb πίνω (pinō, G4095), meaning 'to drink.' The suffix -τήριον indicates an instrument or vessel, so ποτήριον literally means 'a vessel for drinking.' It is a common Greek word for a drinking cup, bowl, or goblet.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as a central metaphor for God's sovereign appointment in a believer's life. It encapsulates the concepts of suffering (Jesus' cup in Gethsemane), communion (the Lord's Supper), divine blessing, and eschatological judgment. Understanding this range of meaning deepens the reading of passages about discipleship, sacrament, and God's ultimate justice, showing how one's 'cup' is ultimately received from the Father's hand.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, a cup (ποτήριον) was a common personal vessel, often shared in social and religious meals. The act of sharing a cup signified fellowship and covenant. In Jewish ritual, cups were used during Passover and other feasts. The metaphorical use of 'cup' for one's divinely ordained fate or experience was also present in Jewish scripture (e.g., Psalm 16:5, 75:8), which the New Testament authors draw upon.

κύλιξ (kylix, G4221 alternate form) — A less common synonym, also meaning a drinking cup or goblet. σκεῦος (skeuos, G4632) — A more general term for a vessel, container, or instrument.

Word Details

Scripture References