Lexical Summary katapontizó: To drown, to sink Original Word: καταποντίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance drown, sink. From kata and a derivative of the same as Pontos; to plunge down, i.e. Submerge -- drown, sink. see GREEK kata see GREEK Pontos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and Pontos (in its ordinary use) Definition to throw into the sea NASB Translation drowned (1), sink (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2670: καταποντίζωκαταποντίζω: passive, present καταποντίζομαι; 1 aorist κατεποντίσθην; to plunge or sink in the sea; passive in the intransitive sense, to sink, to go down: Matthew 14:30; a grievous offender for the purpose of killing him, to drown: passive Matthew 18:6. (Lysias, Demosthenes, Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch (Josephus, Antiquities 10, 7, 5; 14, 15, 10; c. Apion. 2, 34, 3), others; the Sept.; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 24; Lob. Phryn., p. 361 note).) The verb καταποντίζω appears twice, both in Matthew, and always in vivid, concrete settings connected to water and peril. In Matthew 14:30 Peter, stepping out onto the storm–tossed sea, is “beginning to sink”, an event that dramatizes the tension between faith and fear. In Matthew 18:6 the Lord warns that for anyone who ensnares a believing child, “it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea”. In each case the verb conveys utter helplessness unless divine intervention occurs. Background and Imagery First-century readers were keenly aware of the terror associated with deep waters. For Mediterranean peoples the sea was a realm of uncontrollable forces, symbolizing chaos, judgment, and death. καταποντίζω, literally to plunge into the sea, therefore evokes complete submersion under divine or natural judgment. The image is not merely physical but moral and eschatological. Intertextual Echoes 1. Old Testament precedents: Pharaoh’s army “sank like lead” in the Red Sea (Exodus 15:10); Jonah is hurled into the deep to halt a storm (Jonah 1:15). Both narratives combine judgment and deliverance. Christological Significance Matthew 14:30 highlights Jesus’ unique authority: the moment Peter calls “Lord, save me!” the Savior’s outstretched hand lifts him from certain death. The sinking disciple becomes a living parable of salvation by grace through faith. Matthew 18:6, in turn, stresses Christ’s protective love for “little ones,” revealing how seriously He views spiritual harm and underscoring His role as righteous Judge. Ethical and Pastoral Implications 1. Faith over fear: Believers are summoned to keep their eyes on Christ amid life’s tempests, confident that His power over chaos is unwavering. Historical Perspective on Ministry Early Christian writers cited the passage to advocate catechetical vigilance. By the second century, pastors such as Clement of Alexandria applied the millstone imagery to teachers propagating heresy, viewing false doctrine as a weight dragging souls into perdition. Throughout church history missionaries sailing dangerous seas identified with Peter’s cry, relying on the Lord’s hand for preservation both physically and spiritually. Literary and Symbolic Resonance The verb’s scant appearances intensify its impact. Matthew deploys it once in a narrative miracle and once in ethical exhortation, weaving a tapestry where salvation and judgment converge around the same metaphor. The sea that threatens Peter also becomes the abyss awaiting offenders, amplifying the gospel’s dual call: come in faith or face inevitable submersion under divine justice. Practical Application for Today • Worship: Hymns and prayers can echo Peter’s plea, reinforcing dependence on Christ. Conclusion καταποντίζω, though rare, carries theological weight. It reminds the church that the Lord both rescues those who believe and deals decisively with those who endanger His little ones. The choice is stark: grasp the saving hand of Jesus or be left to the depths. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 14:30 V-PNM/PGRK: καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων NAS: and beginning to sink, he cried KJV: beginning to sink, he cried, INT: and having begun to sink he cried out saying Matthew 18:6 V-ASP-3S Strong's Greek 2670 |
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