Word Study for G3960 (πατάσσω)

patássō /pat-as'-so/ Ask about this word

Rootprobably prolongation from παίω

Meaningto knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally)

KJV usagesmite, strike. Compare τύπτω.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of patássō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word patássō, represented by G3960, means to smite or strike. The base definition describes it as an act of knocking, which can be done gently, with a weapon, or fatally. It appears 10 times across 10 unique verses in the Bible, indicating its specific and impactful usage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3960 is used to describe a range of actions, from a simple nudge to a lethal blow. An angel smote Peter on the side to rouse him from sleep in prison Acts 12:7. In contrast, it depicts violent human action when a disciple struck the high priest's servant with a sword Matthew 26:51, and when Moses smote the Egyptian Acts 7:24. The term also signifies fatal, divine judgment, as when the angel of the Lord smote Herod, who was then eaten by worms Acts 12:23. It is also used prophetically, as when Jesus quotes the scripture, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" Matthew 26:31.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context and consequences of being smitten:

G1287 diaskorpízō: Meaning to dissipate or scatter (abroad), this word is directly linked to G3960 in the prophecy where the smiting of the shepherd results in the sheep being scattered abroad Matthew 26:31.
G851 aphairéō: Defined as to remove or cut (smite) off, this term describes the outcome of a strike in Matthew 26:51, where a disciple first struck the servant and then smote off his ear.
G1634 ekpsýchō: This word, meaning to expire or give up the ghost, shows the fatal result of a divine strike. After an angel smote Herod, he was eaten by worms and gave up the ghost Acts 12:23.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G3960 is evident in its application to both divine and human actions.

Divine Judgment: The word is frequently a vehicle for divine retribution or power. The two witnesses in Revelation have the power to smite the earth with plagues Revelation 11:6, and the rider on the white horse will smite the nations with a sword from his mouth Revelation 19:15.
Prophetic Fulfillment: The act of smiting is central to the prophecy Jesus declares about himself. His being smitten as the shepherd is the catalyst for his disciples being offended and scattered Mark 14:27.
Supernatural Intervention: The term is used to describe the actions of angels, both to deliver Acts 12:7 and to enact judgment Acts 12:23, highlighting a force beyond human capability.

Summary

In summary, G3960 is a potent word that conveys an impactful strike. Its meaning is flexible, covering everything from a gentle awakening to a violent attack and a fatal act of God's judgment. Whether used to describe the actions of a disciple, an angel, or the fulfillment of prophecy, patássō consistently signifies a moment of dramatic and decisive action.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 3×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 10 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (3 verses); never once in the other 22.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Acts

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.