Lexical Summary sussémon: Signal, sign, token Original Word: συσσημόν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance signal, signNeuter of a compound of sun and the base of semaino; a sign in common, i.e. Preconcerted signal -- token. see GREEK sun see GREEK semaino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and the same as sémainó Definition a fixed sign NASB Translation signal (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4953: σύσσημονσύσσημον (Tdf. συνσημον (cf. σύν, II. at the end)), συσσημου, τό (σύν and σῆμα), a common sign or concerted signal, a sign given according to agreement: Mark 14:44. (Diodorus, Strabo, Plutarch, others; for נֵס, a standard, Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 49:22; Isaiah 62:10.) The word is condemned by Phrynichus, edition Lob., p. 418, who remarks that Menander was the first to use it; cf. Sturz, De dial. Maced. et Alex., p. 196. Topical Lexicon Term and Basic Sense Syssēmon denotes an agreed-upon sign by which members of a group recognize one another or coordinate an action. Unlike the more common sēmeion, which can be any kind of “sign,” syssēmon highlights a private, prearranged signal understood only by those in the circle. Biblical Occurrence Mark 14:44 records its sole New Testament appearance: “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.’”. Judas transforms a familiar gesture of friendship into the covert cue that enables the temple guards to single out Jesus in the dimly lit garden. Historical and Cultural Background 1. Military Usage. Hellenistic armies commonly employed a syssēmon as a nightly password or battle cry so that comrades could distinguish friend from foe in low visibility. Theological Themes 1. Betrayal Cloaked in Familiarity. The term underscores the tragedy that the Messiah is given up not by an open enemy but via an intimate insider’s token of affection (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 13:6). Practical Application for Discipleship and Ministry • Authenticity of Worship. Outward tokens—songs, prayers, even a kiss—must correspond to inward loyalty (Isaiah 29:13; Luke 6:46). Relation to Other Biblical Signs • Sēmeion (Strong’s 4592) often points outward to authenticate divine authority—miracles, prophetic fulfillments, eschatological portents. Syssēmon, by contrast, operates inwardly among conspirators or allies. Witness of the Early Church Patristic writers such as Augustine stressed that Judas’s syssēmon reveals how sin corrupts even holy symbols, yet cannot thwart God’s plan. The fathers urged believers to examine whether their own lips matched their hearts when they offered the “holy kiss” (Romans 16:16). Summary Syssēmon in Mark 14:44 captures the covert nature of Judas’s betrayal, reflecting common Greco-Roman practice while exposing the treachery of a disciple’s heart. The lone occurrence deepens the Passion narrative, warning against empty gestures, affirming Christ’s foreknowledge, and calling believers to genuine, unfeigned devotion. Forms and Transliterations συσσημον σύσσημον σύσσημόν sussemon sussēmon syssemon syssēmon sýssemon sýssēmonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |