### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
embáptō (`{{G1686}}`) is a compound verb derived from the preposition en (`{{G1722}}`, "in" or "into") and the verb báptō (`{{G907}}`, "to dip, plunge"). The core meaning of embáptō is "to dip into" or "to immerse a part of something into a fluid." It specifically denotes the action of wetting a part of a person or object by contact with a liquid, implying a partial rather than a complete submersion. The focus is on the act of placing something *into* a liquid, often for the purpose of moistening, soaking, or taking up a substance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb embáptō (`{{G1686}}`) appears only three times in the New Testament, all within the narratives of the Last Supper and the identification of Jesus's betrayer.
* **[[Matthew 26:23]]:** "He answered, 'The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.'" Here, Jesus identifies his betrayer by a common action performed during the Passover meal. The act of dipping bread or a morsel into a communal dish was a shared custom, signifying intimacy and fellowship. The betrayal is rendered more poignant by its association with this shared act of table fellowship.
* **[[Mark 14:20]]:** "He said to them, 'It is one of the Twelve, one who dips with me into the bowl.'" This parallel account in Mark reinforces the same identification. The shared act of dipping from the same bowl underscores the profound violation of trust and the sacred bond of communal eating that Judas's betrayal represents.
* **[[John 13:26]]:** "Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.' Then, having dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon." John's Gospel provides a more specific detail. Jesus himself performs the act of dipping the morsel (ψωμίον, *psōmion*, often translated as "sop") and then gives it directly to Judas. This act, traditionally one of honor or special favor shown to a guest, is tragically inverted into the precise sign of betrayal. The dipping here is performed by Jesus *for* Judas, highlighting both Jesus's knowledge and Judas's immediate acceptance of the sign leading to his dark purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **báptō (`{{G907}}`):** The root verb from which embáptō is formed, meaning "to dip, immerse." While báptō can denote a more thorough immersion (e.g., dyeing cloth), embáptō specifically emphasizes the action of dipping *into* something, often a part of an object or person. báptō is the broader term.
* **baptízō (`{{G908}}`):** This related but distinct verb typically means "to immerse, submerge, baptize." It carries significant theological weight, particularly in relation to Christian baptism, signifying spiritual cleansing, identification with Christ's death and resurrection, and initiation into the Christian community. Unlike the physical and often partial action of embáptō, baptízō implies a more complete and often ritualistic immersion with profound spiritual implications.
* **Table Fellowship:** The concept of sharing a meal, especially dipping from a common bowl, was a powerful symbol of intimacy, trust, and covenant in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish cultures. The betrayal occurring within or identified by such a shared act underscores the profound violation of this sacred bond.
* **Passover Seder:** The context of the Last Supper as a Passover meal is crucial. Dipping various items (e.g., parsley in salt water, bitter herbs in charoset) was an integral part of the Seder ritual. The act of dipping a morsel of bread or lamb into a communal dish was a standard practice, making Jesus's identification of the betrayer through this act culturally resonant.
### Theological Significance
The specific and limited use of embáptō (`{{G1686}}`) in the betrayal narratives carries profound theological significance:
* **Violation of Sacred Trust:** In the ancient world, sharing a meal, particularly dipping from the same dish, established a deep bond of loyalty and friendship. Judas's betrayal, immediately following or identified by this intimate act, represents the ultimate violation of trust and friendship. It highlights the heinous nature of his sin, not merely against Jesus as an individual, but against the sacred covenant of fellowship.
* **Divine Foreknowledge and Human Agency:** Jesus's precise identification of the betrayer through this specific act demonstrates his divine foreknowledge and sovereign control over events. Yet, this foreknowledge does not negate Judas's free will in choosing to betray. The sign is given, and Judas freely proceeds with his destructive choice.
* **Contrast with the Eucharist:** The act of dipping the "sop" (ψωμίον) for Judas stands in stark contrast to the institution of the Lord's Supper immediately following it. The "dipped morsel" marks betrayal and the entry of Satan into Judas ([[John 13:27]]), while the "broken bread" and "poured out cup" of the Eucharist signify Christ's body and blood, given for many, establishing a new covenant of redemption. This stark juxtaposition heightens the dramatic and theological weight of the Passion narrative.
* **Symbol of Deeper Spiritual Reality:** While a seemingly mundane physical action, embáptō becomes a symbolic pivot point in the narrative, marking the transition from shared fellowship to profound betrayal, and from the presence of the disciples to the entry of Satan into Judas.
### Summary
embáptō (`{{G1686}}`) is a Greek verb meaning "to dip into" or "to immerse a part of something into a fluid." Its three occurrences in the New Testament are exclusively found in the accounts of Jesus's betrayal during the Last Supper. In [[Matthew 26:23]] and [[Mark 14:20]], it describes Judas's act of dipping his hand into the communal bowl with Jesus, symbolizing a profound breach of table fellowship. In [[John 13:26]], Jesus himself dips a morsel and gives it to Judas as the direct sign of identification, transforming an act of honor into a tragic marker of treachery. Though a physically descriptive term, embáptō carries immense theological weight, underscoring the depth of Judas's betrayal, the violation of sacred trust, and the divine foreknowledge of Christ, all set against the backdrop of the impending institution of the Lord's Supper.
TRV