Lexical Summary diarréssó: To tear apart, to rend, to burst Original Word: διαρρήσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break, rend. From dia and rhegnumi; to tear asunder -- break, rend. see GREEK dia see GREEK rhegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and rhégnumi Definition to tear asunder NASB Translation break (2), tearing (1), tore (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1284: διαρρήγνυμιδιαρρήγνυμι and διαρρήσσω (Luke 8:29 (R G; see below)); 1 aorist διέρρηξα; imperfect passive 3 person singular διερρήγνυτο (Luke 5:6, where Lachmann text διερηγνυτο and T Tr WH διερησσετο (L marginal reading διερρήσσετο), also L T Tr WH διαρησσων in Luke 8:29; (WH have διερηξεν in Matthew 26:65, and διαρηξας in Mark 14:68; see their Appendix, p. 163. and under the word P, π)); to break asunder, burst through, rend asunder: τά δεσμά, Luke 8:29; τό δίκτυον, passive, Luke 5:6; τά ἱμάτια, χιτῶνας, to rend, which was done by the Jews in extreme indignation or in deep grief (cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Overview The verb translated “to tear, to rend, to burst apart” appears five times in the Greek New Testament and consistently conveys a forceful separation that either exposes hidden realities or reveals the intensity of unseen powers and emotions. Whether describing nets strained by an unexpected catch, iron chains wrenched apart by demonic strength, or garments ripped in sudden anguish, every occurrence dramatizes a decisive moment when the status quo can no longer hold. Old Testament Background Among the Hebrews, rending one’s garments (Genesis 37:29; Job 1:20) expressed shock, grief, or holy fear before God. This cultural reflex provides the backdrop for its New Testament usage. The act was public, immediate, and irreversible—an outward sign that something within the heart or society had been violently disrupted. Literal Power on Display Luke 5:6 records that Peter’s nets “began to tear.” The miracle at Gennesaret demonstrates Christ’s authority over nature; the nets’ bursting underscores that His provision exceeds human capacity. Similarly, in Luke 8:29 the Gerasene demoniac “had broken the chains,” revealing how spiritual bondage can manifest in terrifying physical power until Christ intervenes. Symbolic Expression of Human Emotion 1. Mark 14:63; Matthew 26:65 — The high priest, convinced that Jesus’ claim was blasphemous, “tore his clothes.” The gesture signals judicial outrage, yet ironically proclaims the end of the Levitical system he represents. By condemning the true High Priest, he unwittingly testifies to the impotence of his own garments to cover sin. Contrasting Motives The same dramatic gesture may flow from unbelief (the high priest) or godly jealousy for God’s glory (the apostles). Scripture thus cautions against judging an act by appearance alone; the heart motive determines whether a tear becomes rebellion or reverence. Christological Significance The courtroom rending of priestly robes anticipates the rending of the temple veil (Matthew 27:51). One is a human act rejecting Christ; the other is a divine act welcoming believers into His presence. Together they highlight the transition from shadow to substance, from earthly priesthood to the once-for-all mediation of the Son. Missional and Pastoral Implications • Expect the gospel to strain and even break established structures—nets, chains, traditions—because it introduces new life. Devotional Application Believers are challenged to examine what needs “tearing” in their own lives—garments of self-righteousness, chains of sin, or nets of limited expectation—so that Christ’s fullness may be revealed. Conversely, they are warned against tearing in unbelief, as did Caiaphas, when confronted with divine truth. Summary In every occurrence, the verb translated “to tear” marks a critical juncture: divine provision overflowing human capacity, spiritual darkness exposing its violence, or human hearts laid bare in the face of ultimate truth. It invites the reader to decisive action—either yielding to Christ’s transformative power or resisting it at peril. Forms and Transliterations διαρηξας διαρήξας διαρησσων διαρήσσων διαρραγήσονται διαρραγώσιν διαρρήξαί διαρρηξαντες διαρρήξαντες διαρρήξας διαρρήξασα διαρρήξατε διαρρήξει διαρρήξεις διαρρήξετε διαρρήξω διαρρήξωμεν διαρρήσσων διαρριπτούνται διαρρίψατε διαρτηθήναι διασαλεύθητι διερηξεν διέρηξεν διερησσετο διερήσσετο διερράγησαν διερρηγμένα διερρήγνυντο διερρήγνυτο διέρρηξα διερρήξαν διέρρηξαν διέρρηξας διέρρηξε διέρρηξεν διερρήσσετο διερρηχότες διερρηχώς διερρωγότα διήρτισαι διηρτίσμεθα diarresson diarrēssōn diarrḗsson diarrḗssōn diarrexantes diarrēxantes diarrḗxantes diarrexas diarrēxas diarrḗxas dierresseto dierrēsseto dierrḗsseto dierrexen dierrēxen diérrexen diérrēxenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:65 V-AIA-3SGRK: ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια NAS: the high priest tore his robes KJV: Then the high priest rent his clothes, INT: the high priest tears the garments Mark 14:63 V-APA-NMS Luke 5:6 V-IIM/P-3S Luke 8:29 V-PPA-NMS Acts 14:14 V-APA-NMP Strong's Greek 1284 |
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