The Greek word anaptýssō, represented by G380, means to unroll a scroll or volume. It is derived from ἀνά, in the sense of reversal, and πτύσσω. This specific term appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, highlighting a singular, pivotal moment.
The sole instance of G380 occurs in Luke 4:17, where the book of the prophet Isaiah is delivered to Jesus. The scripture states, "And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written." The action of unrolling the scroll is the crucial step that makes the prophetic text accessible, immediately preceding Jesus's reading and subsequent teaching. This act signifies the preparation for a revelation from the written word.
Several related words provide context for the action of G380 in its single biblical appearance:
- G1929 epidídōmi (to give over (by hand or surrender)): This word describes the action immediately before the scroll is opened. In Luke 4:17, the book of Isaiah was delivered unto Jesus, setting the stage for Him to unroll it.
- G975 biblíon (a roll): This is the object being acted upon. The term refers specifically to the scroll or book of the prophet Isaiah that was both delivered to Jesus and subsequently opened by Him Luke 4:17.
- G1125 gráphō (to write): This word reveals the purpose of opening the scroll. After unrolling the book, Jesus finds the place where the prophecy was written, connecting the physical act of opening with the sacred text contained within Luke 4:17.
The theological weight of G380 is centered on its role in the revelation of scripture.
- Access to Prophecy: The act of unrolling the scroll is what makes the prophecy visible and ready to be declared. It is the physical gateway to what "is written" (John 6:45, Galatians 3:13).
- Christ as the Interpreter: By performing the action of G380, Jesus is presented as the one who opens and reveals the meaning of the scriptures, particularly those written about Himself Luke 24:44.
- The Moment of Revelation: The word captures the specific moment where a closed, sealed, or rolled-up truth is made known. This single use marks a transition from the hidden written word to the spoken, fulfilled word.
In summary, G380 is a precise term whose significance is amplified by its rarity. Its lone appearance in Luke 4:17 is not merely a description of a physical action but a depiction of a key moment of scriptural revelation. Linked to the delivery (epidídōmi) of the scroll (biblíon) and the written (gráphō) word within, anaptýssō represents the act of opening the scriptures to declare their fulfillment in Christ.
TRV