Brief Overview of περικαλύπτω (Strong’s G4028: perikalypto)

Strong’s G4028: A compound verb combining περί (around) and καλύπτω (to cover), meaning “to cover completely, to veil entirely.” Used in the New Testament particularly in describing Jesus’s passion, where His face was covered during mockery, emphasizing the depth of His humiliation.

U- Unveiling the Word

Περικαλύπτω represents complete covering or veiling. As a compound word, it combines the comprehensive aspect of περί with the covering action of καλύπτω, creating a picture of total concealment. In the New Testament, it appears most significantly in the passion narrative, where Jesus’s face was covered during His mockery and abuse. This covering carried deep symbolic significance, representing both the physical act of humiliation and the spiritual blindness of His persecutors. Early church writers saw in this covering a profound theological truth about Christ’s voluntary submission to suffering. Today, it reminds believers of both Christ’s suffering and the ongoing reality that truth is often veiled to those who reject Him.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: περικαλύπτω, perikalypto, [peh-ree-ka-LOOP-toh]
• Detailed pronunciation: peh-ree-ka-LOOP-toh (stress on fourth syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• περί (peri-): prefix meaning “around, completely”
• καλύπτω (kalypto): root verb meaning “to cover”
• Combined meaning: to cover completely around

D – Defining Meanings

• To cover completely
• To veil entirely
• To conceal thoroughly

For compound words: The prefix περί adds “completely around” to καλύπτω “to cover,” emphasizing total concealment

Translation Options:

1. Cover completely – Emphasizes thoroughness
2. Veil entirely – Highlights concealment
3. Blindfold – Specific to facial covering

E – Exploring Similar Words

• καλύπτω [kalypto, ka-LOOP-toh] – simple “to cover”
• συγκαλύπτω [synkalypto, syn-ka-LOOP-toh] – to cover together
• ἀποκαλύπτω [apokalypto, a-po-ka-LOOP-toh] – to uncover, reveal

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Ongoing or punctiliar

Examples: cover, covers, covered, covering

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes complete concealment. Thayer’s notes its use in Christ’s passion. LSJ provides examples from ritual contexts. Vine’s connects it to spiritual blindness. Strong’s emphasizes thoroughness of covering. Moulton and Milligan document its use in legal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“And some began to spit on Him, and to [cover] His face, and to punch Him, and to say to Him, ‘Prophesy!'” (Mark 14:65)

Additional References:
Luke 22:64

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Περικαλύπτω powerfully illustrates both Christ’s suffering and human resistance to truth. The covering of Jesus’s face during His passion represents not only physical abuse but also spiritual blindness. Yet through this very act of being covered, King Jesus revealed God’s love and opened the way for spiritual sight.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient judicial contexts for condemned prisoners
2. Applied in ritual contexts for sacred objects
3. Became a symbol in early Christian martyrdom accounts

Strong’s G4028: Compound verb expressing complete covering or concealment. Used particularly in Christ’s passion narrative to describe the covering of His face during mockery. Carries deep theological significance regarding humiliation and spiritual blindness.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #Passion #Suffering #Concealment #Blindness #BiblicalGreek #CompoundVerbs #ChristsSuffering #Humiliation #Revelation #Martyrdom​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​