English · KJV
G3961

πατέω

patéō /pat-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom a derivative probably of παίω (meaning a "path")
Meaningto trample (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagetread (down, under foot).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of patéō — 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 patéō, represented by G3961, means to trample or tread down, both literally and figuratively. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The word conveys an act of dominance, subjugation, or judgment by treading something under foot.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G3961 is used to illustrate concepts of both delegated authority and divine judgment. In Luke, believers are given power to tread on serpents and scorpions, symbolizing authority over the enemy Luke 10:19. The word also appears prophetically, describing Jerusalem as being trodden down by the Gentiles Luke 21:24 and the holy city being tread under foot for a specific time Revelation 11:2. In Revelation, the image of treading is used to depict God's ultimate wrath, where the winepress of his fierceness is trodden (Revelation 14:20, Revelation 19:15).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the actions associated with patéō:

  • G1849 exousía (authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength): This word for delegated influence or right is given to believers, enabling them to tread on the enemy's power Luke 10:19.
  • G1411 dýnamis (miraculous power, strength): Used alongside exousía, this term describes the miraculous force or power of the enemy over which believers are given authority Luke 10:19.
  • G3960 patássō (to smite, strike): This word for striking is used in direct parallel with treading. In Revelation, Christ will smite the nations with a sword and he also treadeth the winepress of God's wrath Revelation 19:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3961 is significant, highlighting themes of power, conflict, and judgment.

  • Spiritual Authority: The term establishes the authority Christ gives to His followers. They are empowered to tread on spiritual enemies, demonstrating the victory believers have through Him Luke 10:19.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The treading down of Jerusalem by the Gentiles is presented as a specific period of subjugation that must be fulfilled, linking the word to God's sovereign timeline in history (Luke 21:24, Revelation 11:2).
  • Divine Judgment: The most powerful use of the term is in the context of eschatological wrath. Christ treadeth the winepress, a vivid metaphor for the execution of God's final and fierce judgment upon wickedness Revelation 19:15.

Summary

In summary, G3961 is a potent word that signifies more than simple movement. It illustrates dominion and subjugation in both the spiritual and physical realms. From the authority given to believers over darkness to the final, decisive judgment of God enacted by Christ, patéō consistently describes an act of overwhelming control and the establishment of ultimate power.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
  • Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Feminine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G1849 ἐξουσία from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectiv G1411 δύναμις from δύναμαι; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself): G3960 πατάσσω probably prolongation from παίω; to knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally):--smite, strike. Compare τύπτω.

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 5 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Revelation (3 verses); never once in the other 25.

2
Luke
3
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.