2653. katanathematizó

Lexical Summary

katanathematizó: To curse vehemently, to anathematize

Original Word: καταναθεματίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katanathematizó
Pronunciation: kat-an-ath-em-at-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-an-ath-em-at-id'-zo)
KJV: curse
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) (intensive) and G332 (ἀναθεματίζω - bound under a curse)]

1. to curse

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

curse.

From kata (intensive) and anathematizo; to imprecate -- curse.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK anathematizo

HELPS Word-studies

2653 katanathematízō(from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 332 /anathematízō) – "curse vehemently" (A-S). 2653 (katanathematízō) is stronger (more dramatic) than 332 /anathematízō ("to curse"). Note the force of the added prefix (kata; see Zodhiates, Dict).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
variant reading for katathematizó, q.v.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2653: καταθεματίζω

καταθεματίζω; (κατάθεμα, which see); to call down direst evils on, to curse vehemently: Matthew 26:74 (Rec. καταναθεματίζειν). (Irenaeus adv. haer. 1, 13, 4 and 16, 3.)

STRONGS NT 2653: καταναθεματίζωκαταναθεματίζω; (κατανάθεμα, which see); equivalent to καταθεματίζω (q v.) Matthew 26:74 Rec. (Justin Martyr, dialog contra Trypho,

c. 47, and other ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Essential Idea

The verb under consideration expresses the action of calling down a curse upon oneself or upon another in order to underline the truthfulness of a statement. It intensifies a denial or affirmation by appealing to divine judgment should the speaker be lying. The idea is stronger than ordinary swearing; it weaponizes the sacred for self-protection.

Unique New Testament Occurrence

Matthew 26:74 records its single appearance:

“At that he began to curse and to swear, ‘I do not know the Man!’ And immediately a rooster crowed.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Here Simon Peter, under intense social and spiritual pressure, reinforces his third denial of Jesus with both oaths and self-imprecation. The moment accentuates the depth of human weakness immediately before Christ’s atoning passion.

Narrative Setting and Purpose in Matthew

1. Dramatic Climax: Matthew’s Gospel builds Peter’s failure toward this verbal crescendo. Earlier warnings—“You will all fall away on account of Me” (Matthew 26:31)—give way to fulfillment.
2. Contrast with Teaching: In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus commanded, “Do not swear at all… Let your Yes be Yes” (Matthew 5:34-37). Peter’s conduct now stands in stark opposition to his Master’s teaching, underscoring the need for the forthcoming cross and resurrection.
3. Prophetic Precision: Jesus predicted both the denials and the rooster’s crow (Matthew 26:34). The verb’s single use shows the accuracy of Christ’s foreknowledge and the reliability of Scripture.

Old Testament Background on Curses and Oaths

• Legal Procedure: Numbers 5:21 illustrates a self-imprecatory oath in the ritual for suspected adultery.
• Royal Rashness: 1 Samuel 14:24 records Saul’s self-cursing oath that endangered his army.
• Wisdom Warnings: Ecclesiastes 5:5 cautions against making vows one cannot keep.
• Covenant Ceremonies: Nehemiah 10:29 shows collective oath-taking to obey the Law, evoking covenant blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28).

These passages frame the seriousness of invoking God’s name as guarantee, a seriousness Peter momentarily ignores.

Theological Significance

1. Human Depravity: Even a devoted disciple collapses under pressure, proving the universal need for grace (Romans 3:10-18).
2. Christ’s Voluntary Suffering: While Peter curses to escape harm, Jesus remains silent before accusers, shouldering the curse of the Law for others (Galatians 3:13).
3. Divine Forbearance and Restoration: After the resurrection Jesus restores Peter (John 21:15-17). The single catastrophic verb becomes the backdrop for triple reaffirmation of love and future ministry (Acts 2:14-40).
4. Ethics of Speech: James 5:12 echoes Jesus’ ban on swearing, urging believers to avoid manipulative or self-protective oaths that misuse God’s name.

Historical Reception

• Early Church Fathers (e.g., Chrysostom) viewed Peter’s oath as proof of Scripture’s honesty in portraying leaders’ faults and as a warning against pride.
• Reformers applied the episode to pastoral integrity, insisting that gospel ministry must rest on truth, not rhetorical self-protection.
• Puritan writers highlighted the danger of spiritual decline: small compromises (following at a distance, warming at the enemy’s fire) often precede grievous falls.

Practical and Pastoral Applications

1. Guarded Tongues: Believers must cultivate truthful, straightforward speech, resisting the urge to invoke God’s judgment casually or deceitfully.
2. Vigilance in Temptation: Denial often follows overconfidence (Matthew 26:33). Prayerful dependence replaces boastful self-assurance.
3. Restoration Ministry: Those who fall grievously can be restored through repentance and Christ’s pardon, becoming useful again in shepherding others (1 Peter 5:1-4).
4. Discipleship Training: Teach new believers both the peril of reckless speech and the hope of divine mercy evidenced in Peter’s story.

Related New Testament Concepts

• “Swear” (Matthew 5:34; James 5:12) – general oath-making.
• “Anathematize” (Mark 14:71) – a cognate verb used in the parallel denial scene, emphasizing curse-invocation.
• “Blaspheme” (Matthew 12:31) – profaning God’s name.
• “Confess” (1 John 1:9) – verbal acknowledgment of sin, the antidote to false, curse-filled denial.

Summary

Though it appears only once, this verb exposes the peril of leveraging sacred curses to shield oneself, and it magnifies the grace that rescues and recommissions the fallen. The episode admonishes the church to revere God’s name, speak with integrity, and depend wholly on the atoning work of Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

καταθεματιζειν καταθεματίζειν καταναθεματίζειν katathematizein katathematízein

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 26:74 V-PNA
GRK: τότε ἤρξατο καταθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύειν
KJV: Then began he to curse and to swear,
INT: Then he began to curse and to swear

Strong's Greek 2653
1 Occurrence

καταθεματίζειν — 1 Occ.