πυρράζω

I am red

Definition

The verb πυρράζω (pyrrazō) means 'to be red' or 'to appear fiery red.' In its two New Testament occurrences, it describes the appearance of the sky at sunset. Specifically, it refers to the sky taking on a deep red or fiery hue, a natural meteorological phenomenon used by Jesus as a sign. In Matthew 16:2-3, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for being able to interpret the sky's redness as a predictor of weather ('When it is evening, you say, "It will be fair weather, for the sky is red"'), yet failing to interpret the 'signs of the times.' The word captures the specific, vivid color of a reddened sky.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Gospels of Matthew, appearing only in Matthew 16:2 and 16:3. It is part of Jesus's proverbial saying about weather prediction. The usage is entirely descriptive and metaphorical; the physical observation of a red sky serves as an analogy for spiritual discernment. The context is Jesus's rebuke of the Pharisees and Sadducees who sought a sign from heaven.

Etymology

Derived directly from the Greek adjective πυρρός (pyrros), meaning 'flame-colored,' 'red,' or 'tawny.' This adjective itself comes from πῦρ (pyr, G4442), the common word for 'fire.' Thus, πυρράζω literally means 'to be fire-colored' or 'to glow like fire,' emphasizing a bright, fiery red hue.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is descriptive, its theological significance lies entirely in its context. Jesus uses this ordinary observation of a red sky (πυρράζω) to highlight a profound spiritual failure: the inability to recognize the messianic 'signs of the times' embodied in his own ministry (Matthew 16:3). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Jesus is pointing to a specific, well-known natural sign that even his opponents could interpret for weather, making their spiritual blindness all the more culpable.

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, weather lore and proverbs based on celestial observations were common. The saying Jesus references ('red sky at night, sailor's delight') has parallels in other ancient cultures. The cultural understanding was that a red sky at sunset often indicated fair weather for the following day. Jesus leverages this shared, practical knowledge to make a point about spiritual perception.

πυρρός (pyrros, G4450) — The adjective meaning 'red' or 'fiery,' from which πυρράζω is derived. ἐρυθρός (erythros, G2063) — Another adjective for 'red,' used to describe the Red Sea (Acts 7:36, Hebrews 11:29).

Word Details

Scripture References