Lexical Summary louó: To wash, bathe Original Word: λούω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wash. A primary verb; to bathe (the whole person; whereas nipto means to wet a part only, and pluno to wash, cleanse garments exclusively) -- wash. see GREEK nipto see GREEK pluno HELPS Word-studies 3068 loúō – properly, to wash (cleanse), especially the entire person (bathing the whole body). 3068 /loúō (and its derivative, 628 /apoloúō) implies "fully-washing" (literally and metaphorically) – i.e. a complete bathing to cleanse the entire person (body). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to bathe, to wash NASB Translation bathed (1), washed (3), washing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3068: λούωλούω: 1 aorist ἔλουσά; perfect passive participle λελουμένος and (in Hebrews 10:23 T WH) λελουσμενος, a later Greek form (cf. Lobeck on Sophocles Aj., p. 324; Stephanus Thesaurus 5:397 c.; cf. Kühner, § 343, under the word; (Veitch, under the word, who cites Song of Solomon 5:12, Vat.)); 1 aorist middle participle λουσαμενος; from Homer down; the Sept. for רָחַץ; to bathe, wash: properly, τινα, a dead person, Acts 9:37; τινα ἀπό τῶν πληγῶν, by washing to cleanse from the blood of the wounds, Acts 16:33 (Winers Grammar, 372 (348), cf. § 30, 6 a.; Buttmann, 322 (277)); ὁ λελουμένος, absolutely, he that has bathed, John 13:10 (on the meaning of the passage see καθαρός, a. (and cf. Synonyms below)); λελουσμένοι τό σῶμα, with the dative of instrumentality, ὕδατι, Hebrews 10:22 (23); middle to wash oneself (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 38, 2 a.): 2 Peter 2:22; tropically, Christ is described as ὁ λουσας ἡμᾶς ἀπό τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, i. e. who by suffering the bloody death of a vicarious sacrifice cleansed us from the guilt of our sins, Revelation 1:5 R G (others, λύσας (which see 2 at the end). Compare: ἀπολούω.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3068 pictures both literal bathing and the deeper spiritual cleansing that God provides. The verb’s handful of appearances spans narrative, theological exhortation, and proverbial warning, giving a compact yet rich witness to the biblical theme of washing. Occurrences in the New Testament • Acts 16:33 Physical Acts of Mercy and Care 1. Acts 16:33 portrays the Philippian jailer tending Paul and Silas “and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized immediately.” Physical washing becomes the firstfruits of repentance; the jailer’s hands that once held chains now bring relief, then receive baptismal water that proclaims liberation in Christ. Instruction from the Upper Room John 13:10 records Jesus’ words to Peter: “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean.” The Lord distinguishes the once-for-all bathing of salvation from the ongoing necessity of relational cleansing. Regular confession and obedience maintain fellowship, yet they rest upon the prior, decisive cleansing accomplished by Christ. Doctrinal Exhortation: Access to God Hebrews 10:22 urges believers to “draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… our bodies washed with pure water.” The imagery evokes both priestly ordination washings (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 16:4) and Christian baptism. Cleansing is not merely external; it is paired with hearts “sprinkled” clean, uniting inner and outer realities and opening unhindered approach to the Holy Place through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). Proverbial Warning against Defilement 2 Peter 2:22 laments apostates who, like “a sow that is washed,” return to the mire. The proverb underscores that outward reform without an inward regenerate nature cannot endure. Divine cleansing must reach the heart to prevent relapse into corruption. Old Testament and Jewish Background • Priestly washings (Exodus 30:17-21) established a pattern of approaching God only when cleansed. Link to Baptism In the New Testament era, baptism embodied both repentance and identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). Louō imagery reinforces that baptism is not a mere ritual but the outward pledge of an inward cleansing accomplished by grace (1 Peter 3:21). Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Mercy ministry: Acts 16:33 models tangible care that validates gospel witness. Historical Context Public baths and household washing were familiar in the Greco-Roman world; the Spirit employs a common activity to teach uncommon truths. Early Christian apologists such as Justin Martyr framed baptism in terms of moral cleansing, echoing the New Testament’s use of louō. Summary The five appearances of Strong’s 3068 trace a gospel arc: compassionate service, practical piety, covenant fellowship, priestly access, and sober warning. Together they affirm that God not only washes wounds and bodies but also purifies consciences, calling His people to live as those who have been bathed once for all and who daily keep their feet clean while walking in a defiled world. Forms and Transliterations ελούου έλουσά ελούσαντο ελούσατο ελουσεν έλουσεν ἔλουσεν ελούσθης λελουμένοι λελουμενος λελουμένος λελουσμέναι λελουσμενοι λελουσμένοι λουομένην λούσαι λουσαμενη λουσαμένη λουσαντες λούσαντες λούσαντι λούσασθαι λούσασθε λούσεις λούσεται λούση λούσηται λούσομαι λούσονται λούσω λοφίαν λοφίας λοχευομένων λοχεύονται elousen élousen leloumenos lelouménos lelousmenoi lelousménoi lousamene lousamenē lousaméne lousaménē lousantes loúsantesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 13:10 V-RPM/P-NMSGRK: Ἰησοῦς Ὁ λελουμένος οὐκ ἔχει NAS: said to him, He who has bathed needs KJV: to him, He that is washed needeth INT: Jesus the [one who] has been bathed not has [other] Acts 9:37 V-APA-NMP Acts 16:33 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 10:22 V-RPM/P-NMP 2 Peter 2:22 V-APM-NFS Strong's Greek 3068 |
    |