Lexical Summary exoudeneó: To despise, to treat with contempt, to regard as nothing Original Word: ἐξουθενέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to despise, treat with contemptFrom ek and a derivative of the neuter of oudeis; to make utterly nothing of, i.e. Despise -- set at nought. See also exoutheneo. see GREEK ek see GREEK oudeis see GREEK exoutheneo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1847 eksoudenóō (from 1537 /ek, "completely out of," which intensifies oudenóō, "bring to nothing") – 1847 (eksoudenóō) is an intensified word meaning "bring (completely) to naught"; (passive) utterly disregarded, rejected (despised, scorned); "ill-treated with contempt" (L & N, 1, 88.133). See 1848 (eksoutheneō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and oudeis Definition to despise, treat with contempt NASB Translation treated with contempt (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1847: ἐξουδενέωἐξουδενέω, ἐξουδένω: 1 aorist passive subjunctive 3 person singular ἐξουδενηθῇ; perfect passive participle ἐξουδενημενος; to hold and treat s as of no account, utterly to despise: τόν λόγον, passive, 2 Corinthians 10:10 Lachmann to set at nought, treat with contumely: a person, passive, Mark 9:12 L Tr WH (Ezekiel 21:10). Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 182; (Buttmann, 28 (25); Winers Grammar, 91 (87); Sophocles Lexicon, under the word; WH's Appendix, p. 166). STRONGS NT 1847: ἐξουδενόωἐξουδενόω, ἐξουδένω: (1 aorist passive subjunctive 3 person singular ἐξουδενώθη); equivalent to ἐξουδενέω, which see: Mark 9:12 R G; often in the Sept., especially for בָּזָה and מָאַס. (Cf. references in the preceding word.) STRONGS NT 1847: ἐξουθενόωἐξουθενόω, equivalent to ἐξουθενέω, which see: Mark 9:12 Tdf. Strong’s Greek 1847 appears once in the New Testament at Mark 9:12. There the Lord states that the Son of Man “must suffer many things and be rejected”, linking His coming passion to the prophetic pattern of contempt experienced by God’s messengers. Context in Mark 9:12 Mark situates the statement immediately after the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ glory is unveiled before Peter, James, and John. The contrast could not be sharper: the radiant Son of Man who is honored in heaven will soon be scorned on earth. By using this verb after the mountaintop revelation, the Gospel accentuates the paradox of messianic glory expressed through suffering and public contempt. Old Testament Background Jesus couches His words in the formula “as it is written,” alluding especially to Isaiah 53:3—“He was despised and rejected by men”. The Servant Songs portray not merely opposition but calculated dismissal, the very attitude encapsulated by the Greek term. Psalm 22, Zechariah 12, and the rejection narratives surrounding Elijah and other prophets form a composite backdrop: God’s chosen servants regularly undergo dismissal before vindication. Theology of Rejection 1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Contempt: Scripture unites human derision with divine purpose. The contempt of the crowds does not derail God’s plan; it fulfills it (Acts 2:23). Christological Significance Mark 9:12 anchors Jesus’ identity in the Servant who is both glorious and despised. The singular occurrence underscores that His rejection is not incidental but essential to His messianic mission. The Gospel thereby confronts triumphalist expectations and defines messiahship through the lens of sacrificial humiliation that climaxes at the cross and culminates in resurrection. Discipleship Application Jesus’ followers are called to embrace the same pattern: The verb’s force reminds believers that contempt from the world is neither surprising nor ultimate; it is a mark of fidelity. Ministry Considerations Pastors and missionaries often encounter apathy or ridicule. Mark 9:12 offers comfort and orientation: The text thus empowers leaders to serve without capitulating to worldly metrics of honor. Historical and Cultural Factors In first-century Mediterranean society, honor and shame governed social interactions. To be “rejected” placed one at the bottom of the honor scale, stripped of status and credibility. Jesus’ willingness to endure such treatment challenged prevailing notions of power, demonstrating a kingdom whose values invert worldly prestige (Mark 10:42-45). Related New Testament Passages Although Strong’s 1847 itself occurs only in Mark 9:12, cognate uses (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:20) extend the theme: God chooses “the things that are despised,” and believers must not “treat prophecies with contempt.” These passages reinforce a consistent biblical ethic—God honors what the world dismisses. Pastoral Implications 1. Guard against treating God’s Word or God’s people as insignificant. Summary The lone New Testament instance of Strong’s Greek 1847 in Mark 9:12 encapsulates a crucial biblical motif: the redemptive mission of Christ is accomplished through profound rejection. By tracing this theme backward to the prophets and forward to Christian discipleship, Scripture reveals that divine glory shines brightest through human contempt overcome by resurrection power. |
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