Lexical Summary aniptos: Unwashed Original Word: ἀνίπτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unwashed. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of nipto; without ablution -- unwashen. see GREEK a see GREEK nipto HELPS Word-studies 449 ániptos (from 1 /A "not" and 3538 /níptō, "wash") – properly, not washed; (figuratively) unclean in the ceremonial (religious) sense. What made something ceremonially "unclean"? This issue in Judaism was unfortunately defined by confused rabbis rather than Scripture. Accordingly, Jesus had to exposed it for the oppressive, fruitless legalism that it was. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and niptó Definition unwashed NASB Translation unwashed (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 449: ἄνιπτοςἄνιπτος, ὄν (νίπτω to wash), unwashed: Matthew 15:20; Mark 7:2, and R L marginal reading in 5. (Homer, Iliad 6, 266, etc.) Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 15:20 and Mark 7:2 are the only passages where the term appears, each time describing the disciples’ hands as “unwashed.” In both instances the word sets the scene for Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes over the true source of defilement. Historical and Cultural Background Daily hand-washing had grown into an elaborate ritual in Second-Temple Judaism. Although the Torah prescribes washings for priests (Exodus 30:17-21) and for certain cases of uncleanness (Leviticus 15), the “tradition of the elders” (Mark 7:3) extended these regulations to ordinary meals. The Mishnah (Yadayim 2–4) details the volume of water, the order of pouring, and the posture of the hands. Such practices were viewed not merely as hygiene but as covenantal boundary-markers distinguishing the devout from “the people of the land” (ʿam-ha-aretz) who did not guard ritual purity. Jesus’ Teaching on Ritual Cleansing By allowing His disciples to eat with unwashed hands, Jesus deliberately challenged the weight the Pharisees assigned to human tradition. He declared, “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him” (Mark 7:20). In Matthew’s parallel, He concludes, “To eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matthew 15:20). The contrast exposes two principles: 1. External rites cannot cleanse an internal problem of sin. Old Testament Roots and Continuity Ceremonial washings in the Law symbolized the need for holiness before a holy God. Psalm 24:3-4 links “clean hands” with “a pure heart,” anticipating the inward focus Jesus makes explicit. Jeremiah 4:14 calls Judah to “wash your heart from wickedness,” foreshadowing the New Covenant promise of inner cleansing (Ezekiel 36:25-27). New Testament Development of the Theme The letter to the Hebrews affirms that the reality to which ritual washings pointed is fulfilled in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:10; 10:22). Titus 3:5 speaks of the “washing of rebirth,” connecting cleansing with regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The outward symbol of baptism now testifies to an accomplished inner purification (1 Peter 3:21). Ministry Significance 1. Gospel Clarity: Salvation rests on Christ’s atoning work, not on ritual performance. Practical Application for the Church • Guard against attaching spiritual merit to forms that Scripture does not command. Summary The brief appearance of this word about “unwashed” hands opens a profound window into Jesus’ authority over tradition, the nature of true defilement, and the gospel’s call to inward purity. By reorienting ritual concern from the hands to the heart, Scripture directs every generation to rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s cleansing and to live out holiness that flows from within. Forms and Transliterations ανιπτοις ανίπτοις ἀνίπτοις aniptois aníptoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 15:20 Adj-DMPGRK: τὸ δὲ ἀνίπτοις χερσὶν φαγεῖν NAS: but to eat with unwashed hands KJV: to eat with unwashen hands INT: moreover with unwashed hands eating Mark 7:2 Adj-DMP |
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