Lexical Summary anaptussó: To unroll, to open Original Word: ἀναπτύσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to unrollFrom ana (in the sense of reversal) and ptusso; to unroll (a scroll or volume) -- open. see GREEK ana see GREEK ptusso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originanother reading for anoigó, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 380: ἀναπτύσσωἀναπτύσσω: 1 aorist ἀνεπτυξα; (ἀνά — cf. the German auf equivalent toauseinander, see ἀναλύω — and πτύσσω to fold up, roll together); to unroll (i. e. open for reading): τό βιβλίον (as in Herodotus 1, 48 and 125), Luke 4:17 (R G T) (2 Kings 19:14). The books of the Hebrews were rolls (מְגִלּות) fastened to (one or) two smooth rods and furnished with handles, so that they could be rolled up and unrolled; (cf. B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and ConceptThe verb points to the deliberate action of opening or unrolling a scroll so that its contents may be publicly read. In a world where Scripture was preserved on parchment or papyrus wound around wooden rollers, the act of unrolling served as the threshold between hidden text and audible proclamation. It signals intention: to disclose divine revelation and invite hearers into God’s redemptive drama. Biblical Occurrence and Immediate Context Luke 4:17 records the single New Testament use: “and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written” (Luke 4:17). The scene unfolds in the Nazareth synagogue, early in Jesus’ Galilean ministry. After reading Isaiah 61:1-2, He announces, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). The unrolling therefore becomes the hinge between promise and fulfillment, between prophetic anticipation and messianic realization. Historical Background of Synagogue Reading Practices 1. Public reading of Scripture had long been central to Israel’s worship life (Nehemiah 8:1-8). Prophetic and Theological Significance • Fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-2: By unrolling directly to this section, Jesus claims to be the Spirit-anointed herald of good news, liberty, and divine favor. Literary Observations Luke situates the verb at a critical narrative juncture, emphasizing Jesus’ intentional engagement with the text. The Gospel writer links physical motion (unrolling) with spiritual disclosure, a motif Luke will echo when the risen Christ “opened the Scriptures” to the disciples (Luke 24:27, 24:32, 24:45). Christological Implications 1. Authority: Jesus selects, reads, and interprets Scripture as its ultimate author and fulfiller (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 10:7). Canonical Echoes Revelation’s image of the Lamb alone worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:5, 5:9) resonates with Luke’s portrayal: the same Messiah who once unrolled Isaiah will finally unseal God’s cosmic decree. Practical Applications for Ministry • Preaching: Faithful exposition involves “unrolling” the text—reading it plainly, then pointing to Christ as its fulfillment. Reflections for Personal Devotion When opening the Word, envision the Nazareth scene: Christ Himself stands ready to disclose hope and freedom. Approach every reading with the prayer that the scroll of your heart be likewise unrolled, that hidden places receive the light of the gospel (Psalm 119:18; 1 Peter 1:10-12). Forms and Transliterations αναπτύξας αναπτύξουσι αναπτυσσόμεναι αναπτυσσόμενος ανέπτυξε ανέπτυξενLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 4:17 V-APA-NMSGRK: Ἠσαίου καὶ ἀναπτύξας τὸ βιβλίον INT: Isaiah and having unrolled the scroll ἀναπεσὼν — 1 Occ. |
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