Lexical Summary koptó: To cut, to strike, to mourn Original Word: κόπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cut down, strikeA primary verb; to "chop"; specially, to beat the breast in grief -- cut down, lament, mourn, (be-)wail. Compare the base of tomoteros. see GREEK tomoteros HELPS Word-studies 2875 kóptō – properly, to cut; be incised (struck), resulting in severance ("being cut off"); (figuratively) to mourn (lament) with a cutting sense of personal, tragic loss, i.e. "cut to the heart." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root kop- Definition to cut (off), strike, by ext. to mourn NASB Translation cut (1), cutting (1), lament (1), lamenting (1), mourn (3), mourning (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2875: κόπτωκόπτω: imperfect 3 person plural ἔκοπτον; 1 aorist participle κοψας (Mark 11:8 T Tr text WH); middle, imperfect ἐκοπτομην; future κόψομαι; 1 aorist ἐκοψαμην; (from Homer down); to cut, strike, smite (the Sept. for הִכָּה, כָּרַת, etc.): τί ἀπό or ἐκ τίνος, to cut from, cut off, Matthew 21:8; Mark 11:8. Middle to beat one's breast for grief, Latinplango (R. V. mourn): Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Range of Sense The verb depicts forceful striking that brings separation and, in reflexive forms, the smiting of one’s own breast while voicing grief. In the New Testament its literal meaning appears twice (branches cut for the triumphal entry) and its metaphorical sense of public lament six times. Mourning Customs behind the Word Ancient Jewish bereavement involved tearing garments, beating the chest, loud wailing, and hiring professional mourners (Jeremiah 9:17 – 18). Those actions communicated both personal sorrow and communal solidarity. The middle-voice forms in the Gospels echo this practice, presenting grief that is visible, audible, and shared. Occurrences in the Gospels and Their Significance “We mourned, and you did not lament.” Spiritual indifference shows itself in the refusal to engage either sorrow over sin (John’s call) or joy in salvation (Jesus’ ministry). The verb exposes a heart unmoved by God’s overtures. “Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” Here the action is literal but carries thick symbolism: Israel acknowledges her King with royal carpeting drawn from nature, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 and hinting at the coming kingdom. “All were weeping and wailing for her.” Professional mourners gather at Jairus’ house. Jesus’ command, “Stop wailing,” shifts the scene from hopelessness to faith, demonstrating His authority over death. “A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.” Their lament fulfills prophetic expectation yet receives Jesus’ warning to redirect grief toward Jerusalem’s impending destruction, displaying divine compassion even in judgment. Eschatological Applications “All the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” The global lament foretells universal recognition of the rejected Messiah and sets the stage for Israel’s national repentance (Zechariah 12:10). “Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” The Apostle John recasts the prophecy for the churches: Christ’s visible return will compel worldwide acknowledgment, producing either penitence or terror. “The kings of the earth who committed immorality with her and shared her luxury will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her burning.” Here grief is selfish—sorrow over lost wealth rather than sin—exposing the bankruptcy of worldliness. Theological Threads 1. Genuine lament is a doorway to repentance and comfort (Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10). Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preaching should invite both godly sorrow and rejoicing, leading hearers to authentic response rather than apathy. Practical Takeaway The verb’s sweep—from palm branches cut in celebration to breasts beaten in despair—reminds believers that the gospel addresses the whole spectrum of human emotion. Accepting God’s verdict on sin and rejoicing in His salvation brings the only grief worth having, one that ends in everlasting comfort. Forms and Transliterations εκκόψωμεν εκοπτον έκοπτον ἔκοπτον εκοπτοντο εκόπτοντο ἐκόπτοντο έκοψα έκοψαν εκόψαντο εκοψασθε εκόψασθε ἐκόψασθε εκόψατο έκοψε έκοψέ κεκομμένον κεκομμένω κοπής κοπήσονται κοπήτω κόπτειν κόπτεσθε κόπτετε κοπτόμενοι κόπτονται κ'οπτοντες κόπτοντες κόπτοντος κόπτουσι κόπτων κόπωσις κόψαι κοψαντες κόψαντες κόψασθαι κόψασθε κόψατε κοψάτωσάν κόψει κόψεις κόψεσθε κόψεται κόψη κόψησθε κόψομεν κοψονται κόψονται κόψονταί κόψωμεν κόψωσιν ekopsasthe ekópsasthe ekopton ékopton ekoptonto ekóptonto kopsantes kópsantes kopsontai kópsontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:17 V-AIM-2PGRK: καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε NAS: we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' KJV: ye have not lamented. INT: and not you did wail Matthew 21:8 V-IIA-3P Matthew 24:30 V-FIM-3P Mark 11:8 V-APA-NMP Luke 8:52 V-IIM-3P Luke 23:27 V-IIM-3P Revelation 1:7 V-FIM-3P Revelation 18:9 V-FIM-3P Strong's Greek 2875 |
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