Lexical Summary schizó: To split, divide, tear apart Original Word: σχίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance split, divide, rendApparently a primary verb; to split or sever (literally or figuratively) -- break, divide, open, rend, make a rent. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root schid- Definition to cleave, split NASB Translation divided (2), opening (1), split (1), tear (2), tears (1), torn (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4977: σχίζωσχίζω ((Luke 5:36 R G L marginal reading)); future (σχίσω (Luke 5:36 L text T Tr text WH (cf. Buttmann, 37 (32f))); 1 aorist ἐσχισα; passive, present participle σχιζόμενος; 1 aorist ἐσχίσθην; (allied with Latinscindo, caedo, etc. (cf. Curtius, § 295)); from ((Homer h. Merc.)) Hesiod down; the Sept. several times for בָּקַע , Isaiah 37:1 for קָרַע ; to cleave, cleave asunder, rend: τί, Luke 5:36; passive, αἱ πέτραι, Matthew 27:51; οἱ οὐρανοί, Mark 1:10; τό καταπέτασμα, Luke 23:45; with εἰς δύο added, into two parts, in twain ((εἰς δύο μέρη, of a river, Polybius 2, 16, 11)), Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; τό δίκτυον, John 21:11; to divide by rending, τί, John 19:24. tropically, in the passive, to be split into factions, be divided: Acts 14:4; Acts 23:7, (Xenophon, conv. 4, 59; τοῦ πλήθους σχιζομενου κατά αἵρεσιν, Diodorus 12, 66). Topical Lexicon Lexical and Imagistic Scope σχίζω (schizō) evokes the violent rending of fabric, the splitting of wood, or the fracturing of a group. Scripture employs the verb both concretely and figuratively, turning the physical image of a tear into a theological window on revelation, redemption, and relational unity. Old Testament Echoes Rending garments signified grief (Genesis 37:29), repentance (Joel 2:13), or blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16). Isaiah pleaded, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down” (Isaiah 64:1); the New Testament answers that plea. The torn veil likewise recalls Exodus 26:33, where the curtain barred entry to the Most Holy Place. Canonical Occurrences and Themes 1. Revelation from Heaven (Mark 1:10) “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove”. The tearing of the sky signals divine self-disclosure and inaugurates Jesus’ public ministry. 2. Access to God Accomplished (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45) “Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). The passive voice (“was torn”) points to God as the agent. Top-to-bottom direction rules out human interference, proclaiming that Christ’s death ends the temple’s sacrificial barrier and opens the way into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19–20). 3. Incompatibility of Old and New (Luke 5:36) “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. Otherwise he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old”. σχίζω underscores that the gospel cannot be annexed to Judaism’s old covenant framework; it brings a qualitatively new order. 4. Fulfilled Prophecy amid Human Scorn (John 19:24) “So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots to see who will get it.’” Soldiers refrain from tearing Jesus’ seamless tunic, unknowingly fulfilling Psalm 22:18. The untouched robe, standing beside a crucified, torn body, hints at the inviolable priesthood of the Messiah (Exodus 28:32). 5. Mission without Rupture (John 21:11) “…even with so many, the net was not torn.” The miracle anticipates the worldwide ingathering of believers; the un-torn net embodies the Church’s Spirit-wrought unity amid numerical abundance. 6. Community Division over the Gospel (Acts 14:4; Acts 23:7) “The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles” (Acts 14:4). When the gospel confronts society, σχίζω describes the inevitable cleavage between belief and unbelief, light and darkness (John 3:19–21). Doctrinal Significance • Atonement and Access: The torn veil validates Christ’s cry, “It is finished,” replacing ritual with relationship. Historical and Cultural Notes First-century Jews would have viewed the veil’s destruction as temple desecration, yet believers saw divine proclamation. Roman soldiers valued a seamless tunic enough to gamble rather than tear it, fulfilling Messianic prophecy without intent. Fishermen feared nets tearing under weight; John’s eyewitness detail highlights miraculous preservation. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preach Christ as the torn-veil gateway; encourage bold prayer and worship. Related Terms for Further Study σχίσμα (schisma) – division; ρήγνυμι (regnumi) – to tear violently; διαίρεσις (diairesis) – separation. Summary By weaving σχίζω through scenes of baptism, crucifixion, resurrection epilogue, parable, and apostolic mission, the Spirit paints a consistent portrait: God tears open barriers to reveal Himself, reconcile sinners, and gather a unified people—yet the same gospel creates a holy division between those who receive and those who reject. The Church is called to live on the riven ground of grace, mending the torn yet guarding the new. Forms and Transliterations έσχισαν έσχισε εσχισθη εσχίσθη ἐσχίσθη εσχισθησαν εσχίσθησαν ἐσχίσθησαν σχίζει σχιζομενους σχιζομένους σχίζων σχισας σχίσας σχισει σχίσει σχισθήσεται σχισωμεν σχίσωμεν eschisthe eschisthē eschísthe eschísthē eschisthesan eschisthēsan eschísthesan eschísthēsan schisas schísas schisei schísei schisomen schisōmen schísomen schísōmen schizomenous schizoménousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:51 V-AIP-3SGRK: τοῦ ναοῦ ἐσχίσθη ἀπ' ἄνωθεν NAS: of the temple was torn in two KJV: of the temple was rent in INT: of the temple was torn from top Matthew 27:51 V-AIP-3P Mark 1:10 V-PPM/P-AMP Mark 15:38 V-AIP-3S Luke 5:36 V-APA-NMS Luke 5:36 V-FIA-3S Luke 23:45 V-AIP-3S John 19:24 V-ASA-1P John 21:11 V-AIP-3S Acts 14:4 V-AIP-3S Acts 23:7 V-AIP-3S Strong's Greek 4977 |
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