Lexical Summary niptó: To wash Original Word: νίπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wash. To cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform ablution -- wash. Compare louo. see GREEK louo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina late form of nizó (to cleanse) Definition to wash NASB Translation wash (11), washed (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3538: νίπτωνίπτω; (a later form for νίζω; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 241 (Veitch, under the word νίζω; Buttmann, 63 (55); Winer's Grammar, 88 (84))); 1 aorist ἔνιψα; middle, present νιπτομια; 1 aorist ἐνιψάμην; the Sept. for רָחַץ; to wash: τινα, John 13:8; τούς πόδας τίνος, ibid. 5f 8, 12, 14; 1 Timothy 5:10; middle to wash oneself (cf. Buttmann, § 135, 5; Winer's Grammar, § 38, 2b.): John 9:7, 11, 15; τάς χεῖρας, to wash one's (own) hands, Mark 7:3; τούς πόδας, John 13:10 (T omits; WH brackets τούς πόδας); νίψαι τό προσοπον σου, Matthew 6:17; νίπτονται τάς χεῖρας αὐτῶν, Matthew 15:2. (Compare: ἀπονίπτω. Synonym: see λούω, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Range of Usage Strong’s Greek 3538 (niptō) denotes the intentional act of washing a body-part—typically hands, feet, or eyes—as opposed to the all-over bathing expressed by λούω (louō). Every New Testament occurrence centers on outward washing that God employs to teach inward realities: humility, service, faith, and true purity. Old Testament and Jewish Background The Septuagint regularly uses niptō for priestly hand-washing at the bronze laver (Exodus 30:19–21), representing readiness to minister. By Jesus’ day, Pharisaic tradition amplified these rituals into detailed oral regulations, conferring social status on outward precision (Mark 7:3). Washing as Ritual Purity versus Inner Cleansing When the Pharisees challenge the disciples for eating with “unwashed hands,” Jesus exposes the error of elevating human tradition above divine command (Matthew 15:2). He redirects attention from ceremonial scrubbing to the heart’s condition, preparing the way for gospel purity “by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). The Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9) Three times John uses niptō forms (John 9:7, 9:11, 9:15) for the Lord’s directive: “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam”. The act is not medical but obedient faith. As the man “washed and came back seeing,” the narrative turns a simple rinsing into a sign of new creation, echoing Elijah’s command to Naaman (2 Kings 5). Physical sight anticipates spiritual illumination: “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). The Servant King Washing His Disciples’ Feet (John 13) John 13 contains ten of the seventeen New Testament usages. Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:5). Peter’s protest, “You shall never wash my feet,” meets the sobering reply, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). The foot-washing models servant leadership; yet Jesus insists it also signifies ongoing fellowship cleansed by His impending cross. When He concludes, “You also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14), He transforms a menial duty into a perpetual mandate of humble love. Diakonia and the Qualification of Widows (1 Timothy 5:10) Paul lists “having washed the saints’ feet” among evidences of a widow’s godly life. The verb enipsen (she has washed) shows the early church valued literal foot-washing as tangible service, not merely symbolic rhetoric. It verifies a pattern of hospitality and practical care that flows from regenerated hearts. Contrast with Pharisaic Tradition (Mark 7:3; Matthew 15:2) In both passages niptō marks the outward rigor of ceremonial hand-washing. Jesus does not denounce hygiene; He condemns empty formalism that obscures sin’s deeper defilement. The contrast frames the gospel call to repentance and faith rather than ritual compliance. Theological Themes: Humility, Servanthood, Sanctification 1. Humility: The Lord of glory stoops to a slave’s task (John 13). Practical Ministry Application Church history shows varied practice—some communities observe an annual Maundy Thursday foot-washing, others adopt it spontaneously in missions or homes. Whatever the setting, niptō reminds believers that ministry begins at another’s feet, not on a platform. Early Church Practice and Historical Foot-washing Patristic writings (Tertullian, Augustine) mention literal foot-washing as part of baptismal rites or hospitality. Medieval monasteries maintained the custom, often by abbots serving guests. The Anabaptists and Moravians revived it as an ordinance of brotherly love; later evangelical movements have used it as a powerful act of reconciliation. Eschatological Overtones Revelation portrays the redeemed in white robes, cleansed once for all in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). The temporal act of niptō thus anticipates the final, total cleansing that ushers believers into the marriage supper of the Lamb. Summary of Key Texts Matthew 6:17; 15:2 John 9:7, 11, 15; 13:5-14 Across these passages, niptō links everyday washing to eternal truths: God’s servant-king purifies His people, calls them to humble service, and prepares them for His presence. Forms and Transliterations ενίπτοντο ενιψα ένιψα ἔνιψα ενιψαμην ενιψάμην ἐνιψάμην ενίψαντο ενιψατο ενίψατο ἐνίψατο ένιψε ενιψεν ένιψεν ἔνιψεν νένιπται νιπτειν νίπτειν νιπτεις νίπτεις νίπτεσθαι νιπτονται νίπτονται νίπτωνται Νισάν νίτρω νιφετός νιφήσεται νιψαι νίψαι νιψαμενος νιψάμενος νιψασθαι νίψασθαι νίψασθε νιψάτωσαν νίψεται νιψης νίψης νίψῃς νίψομαι νίψονται νιψω νίψω νιψωνται νίψωνται enipsa énipsa enipsamen enipsamēn enipsámen enipsámēn enipsato enípsato enipsen énipsen nipsai nípsai nipsamenos nipsámenos nipsasthai nípsasthai nípseis nípsēis nipses nipsēs nipso nipsō nípso nípsō nipsontai nipsōntai nípsontai nípsōntai niptein níptein nipteis nípteis niptontai níptontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:17 V-AMM-2SGRK: πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι NAS: anoint your head and wash your face KJV: head, and wash thy face; INT: face of you wash Matthew 15:2 V-PIM-3P Mark 7:3 V-ASM-3P John 9:7 V-AMM-2S John 9:7 V-AIM-3S John 9:11 V-AMM-2S John 9:11 V-APM-NMS John 9:15 V-AIM-1S John 13:5 V-PNA John 13:6 V-PIA-2S John 13:8 V-ASA-2S John 13:8 V-ASA-1S John 13:10 V-ANM John 13:12 V-AIA-3S John 13:14 V-AIA-1S John 13:14 V-PNA 1 Timothy 5:10 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 3538 |
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