### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma ἔκδοτος (ékdotos) is a compound adjective derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and a derivative of the verb δίδωμι (didomi) `{{G1325}}`, meaning "to give" or "to hand over." Literally, it signifies "given out" or "handed over." The core meaning revolves around the act of surrender or delivery, often implying a transfer of authority or control from one entity to another. It carries a passive sense: something or someone *is* given out or delivered, rather than actively giving themselves. The nuance of "surrendered" suggests an involuntary or compelled handing over, often to an adversary or to the authorities for judgment or punishment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἔκδοτος (ékdotos) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[Acts 2:23]]. In this pivotal verse, Peter, during his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, declares concerning Jesus: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." Here, Jesus is described as "delivered" (ἔκδοτος), referring to His being handed over to the Roman authorities for crucifixion. The phrase "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" is crucial, asserting that this "delivery" was not a random event or a mere human conspiracy, but rather an integral part of God's preordained redemptive plan. The term highlights the passive role of Jesus in being *handed over*, contrasting sharply with the active role of "wicked hands" (ἀνόμων, anomōn – lawless ones) who "crucified and slain" Him. It emphasizes the divine orchestration behind the human act of betrayal and execution, underscoring that even the darkest acts of human sin were woven into God's sovereign tapestry of salvation.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **δίδωμι (didomi) `{{G1325}}`:** This is the foundational root verb, meaning "to give" or "to grant." ἔκδοτος is a direct derivative, emphasizing the state of being given out.
* **παραδίδωμι (paradidomi) `{{G3860}}`:** This is a much more common and significant verb in the New Testament, meaning "to hand over," "to betray," or "to deliver up." It is frequently used in relation to Jesus' betrayal by Judas and His subsequent delivery to the authorities (e.g., [[Matthew 26:2]], [[Matthew 27:2]], [[John 19:16]]). While ἔκδοτος describes the *state* of being delivered, παραδίδωμι describes the *act* of delivering. The two terms are semantically very close in the context of Jesus' passion, with παραδίδωμι often denoting the active human or divine agent, and ἔκδοτος the passive recipient of that action.
* **ἐκδίδωμι (ekdidomi) `{{G1626}}`:** This verb also means "to give out," "to give away," or "to lease out." While sharing the same prefix ἐκ and root δίδωμι, its New Testament usage (e.g., [[Matthew 21:33]], [[Mark 12:1]], [[Luke 20:9]] regarding leasing a vineyard) does not carry the same profound theological weight of "surrender unto death" as ἔκδοτος in [[Acts 2:23]].
* **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge:** The concept of God's "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" is inextricably linked to ἔκδοτος in [[Acts 2:23]]. This connects to broader biblical themes of predestination, God's providential control over human history, and the fulfillment of His divine purposes even through human sin.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of ἔκδοτος in [[Acts 2:23]] holds immense theological significance for Christian doctrine. It powerfully articulates the divine necessity of Christ's suffering and death.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility:** The verse presents a profound theological paradox: Jesus was "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," yet "ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain him." This highlights that God's sovereign plan does not negate human culpability. The "delivery" was part of God's plan, but the "crucifixion" was unequivocally an act of human sin and rebellion. Both truths are upheld simultaneously.
* **Atonement and Redemption:** The "delivery" of Christ is presented as the essential prelude to His crucifixion, which in turn is the means of atonement for sin. His being "given out" or "surrendered" was not a defeat but a purposeful act within God's overarching redemptive scheme, culminating in the forgiveness of sins and the offer of new life.
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** While not explicitly stated in [[Acts 2:23]] with ἔκδοτος, the idea of God's "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" implicitly points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the suffering Messiah (e.g., [[Isaiah 53:5-6]], [[Psalm 22:16]]). The event was not unforeseen but divinely appointed.
* **The Passive Sacrifice:** The term emphasizes Jesus' passive submission to the will of God and the malice of men. He was not seized against God's will, but "given out" according to it. This passive endurance and willingness to be surrendered is central to His role as the sacrificial Lamb, who "poured out his soul unto death" ([[Isaiah 53:12]]).
### Summary
The Greek term ἔκδοτος (ékdotos), found uniquely in [[Acts 2:23]], signifies "given out," "handed over," or "surrendered." Its derivation from ἐκ ("out of") and δίδωμι ("to give") highlights a transfer of control. In its sole biblical occurrence, it refers to Jesus being divinely "delivered" into the hands of those who would crucify Him. This word is pivotal in articulating the theological truth that Christ's passion was not a random tragedy but an event orchestrated by God's "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" as part of His redemptive plan. While human hands were responsible for the crucifixion, the "delivery" itself was God's sovereign act, emphasizing both divine control over history and human accountability for sin. It stands in close semantic relation to παραδίδωμι `{{G3860}}`, a more frequent term for "delivering up," but ἔκδοτος concisely captures the state of being surrendered according to divine decree, central to the atoning work of Christ.
TRV