### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πτύσμα (transliterated ptýsma) denotes "saliva" or "spittle." It is derived directly from the verb πτύω (`{{G4426}}`, ptyō), meaning "to spit." As such, ptýsma refers to the physical, liquid substance expelled from the mouth. Its semantic range is narrow and concrete, referring exclusively to this bodily secretion. There is no evidence of a metaphorical or extended meaning in biblical usage; it consistently refers to literal spittle.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ptýsma appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of John:
* **[[John 9:6]]**: "When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay."
In this singular occurrence, ptýsma is central to the method Jesus employs for healing the man born blind. Jesus' action of spitting on the ground and mixing His saliva with dust to form mud (πηλός, `{{G4081}}`) is a deliberate and tangible act. This physical interaction contrasts with other healings where Jesus simply speaks a word (e.g., the centurion's servant in [[Matthew 8:8]]) or touches the individual directly (e.g., Peter's mother-in-law in [[Matthew 8:15]]). The use of spittle, a common bodily fluid, combined with earth, a mundane element, highlights Jesus' authority over creation and His willingness to engage with the physical world in His redemptive work. The act is not merely symbolic but a means through which divine power is channeled, culminating in the restoration of sight. This particular method also resonates with other instances where Jesus uses saliva in healing, such as in the healing of the deaf and mute man in [[Mark 7:33]] and the blind man at Bethsaida in [[Mark 8:23]], though these passages use the verb πτύω (`{{G4426}}`) rather than the noun ptýsma.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verb πτύω (`{{G4426}}`), "to spit," from which ptýsma is derived. Understanding the act of spitting is crucial for comprehending the substance.
Other related concepts include:
* **Clay/Mud (πηλός, `{{G4081}}`):** The substance formed by mixing spittle with earth (χους, `{{G5522}}`). This combination evokes creation themes, particularly the formation of humanity from the dust of the ground ([[Genesis 2:7]]).
* **Anointing:** The act of applying the mud to the blind man's eyes, reminiscent of anointing rituals, though here performed with an unconventional "ointment."
* **Divine Touch/Physicality in Healing:** Jesus' frequent use of physical touch or tangible means (e.g., laying on of hands, the hem of His garment, saliva) underscores the incarnational reality of His ministry and the physical manifestation of divine power. This contrasts with purely spiritual or verbal healings.
* **Purity Laws:** While spittle could be considered ritually impure in certain Jewish contexts, Jesus' use of it for healing demonstrates His authority over such regulations, transforming a potentially defiling substance into a vehicle of grace and restoration.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ptýsma in [[John 9:6]] carries profound theological weight:
* **Incarnational Ministry:** Jesus, the Son of God, fully embraced His humanity, utilizing common, physical elements in His miraculous works. This act underscores the tangible reality of the Incarnation, where divine power operates through human means and physical matter.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** By using spittle and earth, elements of the physical creation, Jesus demonstrates His sovereign power not only to heal but also to create. The creation of sight from these mundane elements echoes the original act of creation, where God formed humanity from dust. It signifies a "new creation" in the life of the blind man.
* **Humility and Simplicity:** The method employed is not elaborate or ritually grand, but remarkably simple and even humble. This highlights Jesus' unpretentious approach to ministry, focusing on the needs of the individual rather than external display.
* **Symbolism of Blindness and Sight:** The physical healing of blindness often serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual blindness and the opening of spiritual eyes to perceive divine truth. The unconventional method of healing further emphasizes that God's ways are often beyond human expectation or understanding.
* **Transcendence of Ritual Purity:** Jesus' use of saliva, which could be deemed impure in some rabbinic interpretations, demonstrates His authority to transcend and redefine ritual purity laws. His touch, even through such a substance, brings cleansing and restoration, not defilement.
### Summary
The Greek word πτύσμα (`{{G4427}}`) precisely denotes "saliva" or "spittle," derived from the verb "to spit." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[John 9:6]] is profoundly significant, depicting Jesus' unique method of healing the man born blind by mixing His spittle with earth to form clay. This seemingly ordinary substance, in the hands of the Son of God, became a tangible medium for divine power. Theologically, the use of ptýsma underscores the incarnational nature of Jesus' ministry, His sovereign power over creation, His humble approach to healing, and His transcendence of conventional purity norms. It stands as a testament to God's ability to work through the simplest and most common elements to bring about miraculous and redemptive transformation.
TRV