from κατά and λιθάζω; to stone down, i.e. to death:--stone.
Transliteration:katalitházō
Pronunciation:kat-al-ith-ad'-zo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb G2642 (καταλιθάζω, transliterated *katalitházō*) is a compound word formed from the preposition κατά (*kata*) and the verb λιθάζω (*litházō*, `{{G3034}}`). The base verb λιθάζω means "to stone," derived from λίθος (*lithos*, `{{G3037}}`), "a stone." The prefix κατά is multifaceted, often conveying a sense of "down," "against," or indicating completion or intensity. In the context of καταλιθάζω, κατά intensifies the action of stoning, specifically indicating a stoning that is carried out to its full, fatal conclusion – to stone someone *down* or *to death*. Thus, its core meaning denotes a violent, complete act of execution by stoning, emphasizing the terminal outcome. It is more severe and conclusive than a mere act of throwing stones.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb καταλιθάζω (katalitházō) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the poignant lament of Jesus over Jerusalem:
> "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" [[Luke 13:34]]
In this sole occurrence, καταλιθάζω describes Jerusalem's historical pattern of violent rejection of God's messengers. The parallelism with "kills the prophets" underscores the fatal nature of the stoning. This was not a symbolic act, but a brutal form of capital punishment, often prescribed under Mosaic Law for offenses such as blasphemy, idolatry, or false prophecy (e.g., [[Leviticus 24:16]], [[Deuteronomy 13:10]]). Jesus' use of this specific verb highlights the extreme and deadly hostility faced by those who delivered God's word to His chosen people. The lament encapsulates centuries of Israel's resistance to divine appeals, culminating in the very city intended to be a beacon of God's presence becoming the execution ground for His servants.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is λιθάζω (lithazō, `{{G3034}}`), the simpler verb "to stone." While λιθάζω can also imply stoning to death (e.g., Stephen's martyrdom in [[Acts 7:59]]), καταλιθάζω (katalitházō) explicitly carries the connotation of completion or finality, ensuring the death of the victim. Other related terms include λίθος (lithos, `{{G3037}}`), "stone," which is the instrument of the action.
The concept of stoning as a form of execution is deeply embedded in the Old Testament and Jewish legal tradition. It was a common method for capital punishment, particularly for religious transgressions. This background provides crucial context for understanding the gravity of Jesus' statement in [[Luke 13:34]]. The practice signifies ultimate rejection and condemnation by the community. The narrative of God sending prophets and their subsequent rejection or persecution is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, from Elijah to Jeremiah and beyond, culminating in the prophets being "killed" and "stoned."
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of καταλιθάζω in [[Luke 13:34]] carries immense theological weight. It serves as a powerful indictment of Jerusalem's spiritual rebellion and persistent rejection of divine truth.
1. **Rejection of Divine Authority:** The act of stoning God's messengers signifies a profound and violent rejection of God Himself. It is an act of defiance against the very source of life and truth.
2. **Prophetic Suffering:** The word encapsulates the suffering and martyrdom endured by God's faithful prophets throughout history. It underscores the cost of obedience to God's call in a fallen world.
3. **Foreshadowing of Christ's Fate:** While Jesus was not stoned to death, His lament implicitly connects His own impending rejection and crucifixion to the long history of Jerusalem's violence against God's representatives. He, too, would be "killed" outside the city walls, albeit by a different method.
4. **Tragic Irony:** The city chosen by God, meant to be a holy dwelling and a light to the nations, became the place where God's own messengers were brutally executed. This highlights the tragic irony of human sin and resistance to divine grace.
5. **Basis for Judgment:** Jesus' lament, including the reference to stoning, serves as a prophetic warning and a basis for the impending judgment upon Jerusalem for its unrepentant rejection of God's overtures.
### Summary
G2642 (καταλιθάζω, *katalitházō*) is a potent Greek verb meaning "to stone to death." Formed from κατά (down/completely) and λιθάζω (to stone, `{{G3034}}`), it emphasizes the fatal and conclusive nature of the act. Its singular occurrence in [[Luke 13:34]] is deeply significant, used by Jesus in His lament over Jerusalem. There, it describes the city's historical pattern of violently rejecting and executing God's prophets and messengers. Theologically, καταλιθάζω underscores the profound spiritual rebellion of Jerusalem, the suffering of God's faithful servants, and foreshadows the city's ultimate judgment due to its persistent rejection of divine truth and grace.
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