Lexical Summary apodokimazó: To reject, to disapprove, to repudiate Original Word: ἀποδοκιμάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance disallow, reject. From apo and dokimazo; to disapprove, i.e. (by implication) to repudiate -- disallow, reject. see GREEK apo see GREEK dokimazo HELPS Word-studies 593 apodokimázō (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 1381 /dokimázō, "to prove, test") – properly, to cast away after thorough investigation (testing); to reject after determining something is useless (unworthy). [This is also the meaning of this term in Plato, Herodotus, Lydias, etc., which can also include disqualification (L-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and dokimazó Definition to reject NASB Translation rejected (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 593: ἀποδοκιμάζωἀποδοκιμάζω: (see δοκιμάζω); 1 aorist ἀπεδοκίμασα; passive, 1 aorist ἀπεδοκιμασθην; perfect participle ἀποδεδοκιμασμενος; to disapprove, reject, repudiate: Matthew 21:42; Mark 8:31; Mark 12:10; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25; Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:4, 7; Hebrews 12:17. (Equivalent to מָאַס in Psalm 117:22 Topical Lexicon Conceptual Overview Strong’s Greek 593 (ἀποδοκιμάζω) portrays an active and deliberate rejection that follows testing or examination. The term pictures a stone inspected by builders, found wanting, and thrown aside, or a claimant to inheritance scrutinized and finally disallowed. Scripture uses the verb to describe the most solemn dismissals in redemptive history: Israel’s leaders discard their own Messiah, humanity spurns God’s gracious call, and an heir forfeits his birthright. In every setting, the rejection is moral and culpable rather than accidental or ignorant. Distribution in the New Testament The verb appears nine times, concentrated in the Gospels and Petrine literature, with a single instance in Hebrews. Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17 The synoptic citation of Psalm 118:22 centers on “the stone the builders rejected.” Each Evangelist places the quotation within the Vineyard Parable, exposing Israel’s leaders as the rejecting “builders.” Their decision is not mere oversight; it is a considered verdict against the Son sent by the Father. Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25 Jesus employs the future passive infinitive—“that the Son of Man must… be rejected”—to predict His Passion. Rejection stands alongside suffering, death, and resurrection as a non-negotiable element of the divine plan. Luke 17:25 widens the canvas: “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation,” binding first-century unbelief to the broader prophetic pattern. Esau “was rejected, even though he sought the blessing with tears”. Apostasy’s tragic end is illustrated: once the time for repentance is past, even earnest emotion cannot reverse the verdict. Peter contrasts human verdict with divine appraisal. Christ is “a living stone—rejected by men, but chosen and precious to God.” Believers share His status as “living stones,” yet the same Stone becomes to unbelievers “a stone of stumbling.” Prophetic and Christological Significance Psalm 118 anticipates a twofold appraisal of Messiah. Earthly authorities will conduct their examination and render a negative verdict, but the heavenly Architect will overturn it, making the rejected Stone the “cornerstone.” Jesus’ appropriation of this psalm declares both His messianic identity and the certainty of His vindication. The early church saw in His resurrection the divine reversal of human rejection (Acts 4:11). Historical Background: Building Imagery and Rabbinic Examination In ancient Near Eastern construction, a cornerstone was selected with meticulous scrutiny; any flaw risked the stability of the entire edifice. “The builders” (Psalm 118; Matthew 21) evokes the image of experts responsible for the spiritual “house” of Israel—the priestly and rabbinic leadership—who should have recognized the perfect Stone. Their misjudgment underscores the gravity of rejecting divine revelation after thorough exposure to it. Implications for Israel and the Church 1 Peter extends the stone motif to the people of God. Those who come to Christ share the paradox of being “chosen and precious” to God while often disallowed by the world. The church’s identity is thus cruciform: honor with God, reproach with men. Simultaneously, Israel’s rejection is neither total nor final (Romans 11), for the Stone now forming the church will yet be acknowledged by the remnant. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Expectation of Reproach: Ministers should anticipate that gospel fidelity attracts rejection (John 15:20). Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Reversal: Human verdicts do not bind God; His elective purpose prevails. Summary Strong’s 593 highlights the sober mystery that the One meticulously examined by Israel’s leaders—and dismissed—is precisely the cornerstone of God’s redemptive architecture. His disciples, likewise tested and sometimes rejected, are assured of divine commendation and ultimate vindication. Forms and Transliterations απεδοκιμασαν απεδοκίμασαν ἀπεδοκίμασαν απεδοκίμασας απεδοκίμασε απεδοκίμασεν απεδοκιμασθη απεδοκιμάσθη ἀπεδοκιμάσθη αποδεδοκιμασμενον αποδεδοκιμασμένον ἀποδεδοκιμασμένον αποδοκιμάζων αποδοκιμασθηναι αποδοκιμασθήναι ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι αποδοκιμώ απόδομα αποδόσει apedokimasan apedokímasan apedokimasthe apedokimasthē apedokimásthe apedokimásthē apodedokimasmenon apodedokimasménon apodokimasthenai apodokimasthênai apodokimasthēnai apodokimasthē̂naiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 21:42 V-AIA-3PGRK: Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες NAS: THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS KJV: the builders rejected, the same INT: [The] stone which rejected those who build Mark 8:31 V-ANP Mark 12:10 V-AIA-3P Luke 9:22 V-ANP Luke 17:25 V-ANP Luke 20:17 V-AIA-3P Hebrews 12:17 V-AIP-3S 1 Peter 2:4 V-RPM/P-AMS 1 Peter 2:7 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 593 |
    |