ῥαπίζω

I slap, strike

Definition

ῥαπίζω (rapizō) means to strike with an open hand, specifically to slap or cuff someone. In Matthew 5:39, Jesus uses it in the context of a personal insult or act of contempt, not a life-threatening assault, instructing his followers not to retaliate when slapped on the right cheek. In Matthew 26:67, the word describes the mocking abuse Jesus endured during his trial before the Sanhedrin, where he was struck in the face. The action consistently conveys a degrading, dishonoring blow intended to humiliate rather than merely injure.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 5:39, it appears in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as part of his teaching on non-retaliation and radical love for enemies. In Matthew 26:67, it describes the physical mockery Jesus suffered after his condemnation by the Jewish council, where men spit in his face and struck him. Both usages highlight acts of intentional humiliation and contempt.

Etymology

Derived from the noun ῥαπίς (rhapis), meaning 'a rod' or 'a staff,' and later coming to refer to a flat object like the palm of the hand. The verb form ῥαπίζω thus literally means 'to strike with a rod' or 'to slap.' Its semantic range narrowed in Koine Greek to specifically denote a blow with the open hand, emphasizing a sharp, stinging strike.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it appears in Jesus' core ethical teaching on non-violence and enemy love (Matthew 5:39), challenging the natural human impulse for retaliation. Its use in the Passion narrative (Matthew 26:67) connects Jesus' teaching with his own example—he submitted to the very humiliation he instructed his followers to endure without revenge. Understanding this specific Greek term enriches the reading of these passages by clarifying that the insult in view is a deliberate, degrading slap, which makes the call to 'turn the other cheek' a radical command to absorb dishonor for the sake of witness.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, a slap to the face, especially with the back of the hand, was a profound gesture of insult and contempt, intended to shame and degrade the recipient more than to cause physical harm. Striking someone on the right cheek (as mentioned in Matthew 5:39) typically implied a backhanded slap from a right-handed assailant, which was considered a particularly grievous insult. This cultural understanding highlights that Jesus' command addresses a matter of personal honor and social status.

τυπτω (typtō, G5180) — a more general term for striking or beating, often with an instrument. δερω (derō, G1194) — to flay, skin, or scourge, implying a severe beating or whipping. κολαφιζω (kolaphizō, G2852) — to strike with the fist, a potentially more violent punch (used in Matthew 26:67 alongside ῥαπίζω).

Word Details

Scripture References