Lexical Summary kephalaioó: To sum up, to bring to a head, to summarize Original Word: κεφαλαιόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wound in the head. From the same as kephalaion; (specially) to strike on the head -- wound in the head. see GREEK kephalaion NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a dim. of kephalé Definition to strike on the head NASB Translation wounded...in the head (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2775: κεφαλαιόωκεφαλαιόω, κεφαλαιω: 1 aorist ἐκεφαλαιωσα (T WH ἐκεφαλιωσα (see below)); (κεφάλαιον); 1. to bring under heads, to sum up, to summarize (Thucydides, Aristotle, others). 2. in an unusual sense, to smite or wound in the head: Mark 12:4. It is of no use to appeal to the analogy of the verb γναθόω, which means εἰς γναθους τύπτω to smite on the cheek, since κεφαλαισον is nowhere used of the head of the body. Tdf. (WH) (after manuscripts א B L) have adopted ἐκεφαλίωσαν (from κεφάλιον, equivalent to κεφαλίς, which see). But neither κεφαλιόω nor κεφαλίζω has yet been noted in any Greek authority. Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 95. (Compare: ανα(κεφαλαιόω.) STRONGS NT 2775: κεφαλιόωκεφαλιόω: Mark 12:4 T WH (approved also by Weiss, Volkmar, others), for κεφαλαιόω, which see. Strong’s Greek 2775 appears in Mark 12:4, describing how the tenant-farmers “struck him on the head” before sending him away disgraced. The lone use of the verb heightens the shocking escalation of violence in the parable of the vineyard, marking a transition from simple mistreatment (Mark 12:3) to life-threatening brutality. Historical Backdrop of the Parable Jesus’ vineyard parable alludes to Isaiah 5:1-7, where Israel is God’s vineyard. By Jesus’ day, religious leaders had long resisted prophetic correction (2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 20:2). The specific image of a blow to the head mirrors episodes in which prophets were physically assaulted, such as Micaiah the son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:24) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:2). First-century hearers would recognize the pattern: rejection of messengers equates to rejection of the Owner Himself. Theological Themes 1. Escalating Rebellion: The head-blow signals hardened opposition. Sin progresses from negligence (beating and sending away) to murderous intent, preparing for the climactic killing of the Son (Mark 12:7-8). Ministry Significance • Expectant Endurance: Faithful servants may face violent opposition for delivering God’s message. The single occurrence of 2775 encapsulates the cost of prophetic faithfulness. Contemporary Application Church leaders and missionaries must proclaim truth without fear, aware that verbal or physical hostility can accompany gospel witness (2 Timothy 3:12). Believers who suffer for righteousness participate in the prophetic lineage symbolized by the servant struck on the head, yet they also share the hope of resurrection vindication in Christ. Related References for Study 1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 24:20-22; Jeremiah 20:2; Matthew 23:34-35; Mark 15:17-19; Acts 7:52; Hebrews 11:36-38 |
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