τύπτω

I beat, strike, wound, inflict punishment

Definition

The verb τύπτω primarily means to strike or beat, often with physical force. In the New Testament, it describes literal physical assault, such as the soldiers striking Jesus (Matthew 27:30, Mark 15:19) or a servant beating fellow servants (Matthew 24:49). It can also denote self-inflicted action, as in the tax collector who 'beat his breast' in a gesture of remorse (Luke 18:13). In a few instances, it carries a sense of inflicting punishment or causing injury, as seen when the wicked servant begins to beat others (Luke 12:45).

Biblical Usage

Τύπτω is used 13 times, predominantly in the Gospels, especially Luke (6 times). It appears in narratives of violence and suffering, particularly in the Passion accounts where Jesus is struck by soldiers and mockers (Matthew 27:30, Luke 22:64). It also occurs in parables about authority and abuse (Matthew 24:49, Luke 12:45) and in teachings on non-retaliation (Luke 6:29). The action is typically direct, physical, and often implies aggression or punishment.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)teu- meaning 'to push, strike'. It is a fundamental Greek verb for hitting. Cognates include τύπος (typos, G5179), meaning a blow, impression, or model, showing a semantic connection between the act of striking and the mark or pattern it leaves.

Semantic Range

This word is significant in Passion narratives, highlighting the physical reality of Jesus's suffering and fulfillment of prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 50:6). Its use in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18) and the wicked manager (Luke 12:45) illustrates the abuse of power and the coming judgment. Understanding its force underscores the brutality Jesus endured and the ethical call against violence in the Christian community.

In the Greco-Roman world, striking was a common expression of dominance, punishment, and shame. Beating one's breast, as in Luke 18:13, was a vivid cultural gesture of profound grief and repentance. The soldiers' strikes against Jesus were acts of mockery and humiliation typical in Roman custodial abuse, intended to degrade a prisoner publicly.

πατάσσω (patassō, G3960) — often to strike fatally or as a divine plague; δέρω (derō, G1194) — to flay, skin, or beat severely, sometimes in scourging; ῥαπίζω (rhapizō, G4474) — to slap with the hand, often on the face as an insult.

Word Details

Scripture References