Introduction

Understanding Greek words in biblical studies is crucial for a deeper comprehension of scripture, especially when the words pertain to significant events in the New Testament. The word ἐμπαίζω (empaizō) is particularly significant because it is directly related to the mockery and ridicule that Jesus Christ endured during His Passion. This term not only captures the essence of scornful behavior but also reflects the cultural and social dynamics of ancient times. By examining ἐμπαίζω, we gain insight into the severe nature of the derision faced by Jesus and how it was perceived in the context of both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures.

Key Information

• Greek Word: ἐμπαίζω (empaizō) [em-PIE-dzo]
• Etymology: Derived from the combination of the prefix ἐν (en, “in”) and the verb παίζω (paizō, “to play” or “to jest”), forming a word that means “to mock” or “to ridicule.”
• Part of Speech: Verb; (present active indicative).
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon

Primary Meanings

• To Mock: The primary meaning, indicating the act of ridiculing or making fun of someone in a scornful or derisive manner.
• To Jeer: Implies a more aggressive form of mockery, often in a public setting.
• To Ridicule: Focuses on the intent to belittle or demean the person being mocked.

Similar Words:

• χλευάζω (chleuazō) [khle-WAH-zoh]: This word also means to scoff or jeer but is often used in a more sarcastic or cutting manner.
• καταγελάω (katagelaō) [kah-tah-GE-lah-oh]: Similar to ἐμπαίζω, but with a stronger emphasis on laughing at someone, typically with contempt.
• παίζω (paizō) [PAH-ee-zoh]: While generally meaning “to play,” in certain contexts it can imply teasing or mocking, although less harsh than ἐμπαίζω.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: As a verb, ἐμπαίζω follows regular Greek conjugation patterns for verbs in the present active indicative. The prefix ἐν (en) suggests an action being directed towards someone, often intensifying the meaning of the base verb παίζω (paizō). This intensification is crucial in understanding the severity of the mockery described by this word.
• Linguistic Features: The use of ἐμπαίζω in the New Testament often carries a connotation of public humiliation, where the mocking is not just private jest but a deliberate act to degrade someone in front of others. The word captures the essence of both the emotional and social scorn experienced by the victim.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG:
BDAG defines ἐμπαίζω primarily as “to mock” or “to ridicule,” noting its frequent use in contexts where Jesus is scorned by others, particularly during His trial and crucifixion. The lexicon emphasizes the public nature of this mockery.

Thayer’s:
Thayer’s lexicon highlights ἐμπαίζω as a verb that involves making sport of someone or treating them with contempt. It notes the usage of the word in passages that describe the mocking of Jesus by the soldiers and the crowd.

Vine’s:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary connects ἐμπαίζω with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being mocked and ridiculed. It underscores the term’s significance in understanding the suffering of Christ.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon traces the use of ἐμπαίζω in classical Greek literature, where it often describes not just playful teasing but a more serious, often malicious mockery directed towards a person of lower status or one who has fallen out of favor.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance identifies ἐμπαίζω as G1702 and notes its occurrences in the New Testament, particularly in relation to the Passion narratives. It highlights the word’s connection to the acts of those who mocked Jesus.

Scripture References

• Matthew 27:29 – “And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him (ἐμπαίζω).”
• Mark 10:34 – “They will mock (ἐμπαίζω) him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

Classical Usage

Summary of ἐμπαίζω (G1702: empaizō)

The Greek verb ἐμπαίζω (empaizō) is a powerful term that encapsulates the act of mocking or ridiculing someone, often with a public and malicious intent. In the New Testament, this word is closely associated with the mockery that Jesus Christ endured during His trial and crucifixion. Understanding ἐμπαίζω provides deeper insight into the emotional and spiritual significance of these events, emphasizing the gravity of the scorn He faced. The word also reflects the broader cultural practice of using mockery as a tool of social degradation in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts.

Did You Know?

The word ἐμπαίζω, while used in everyday contexts to describe mockery, takes on a profound theological significance in the New Testament. Its use in the Gospels to describe the mocking of Jesus not only fulfills Old Testament prophecies but also highlights the depth of His suffering, as He was ridiculed not just physically but also emotionally and socially, bearing the full weight of human scorn.