### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb πτύω (ptýō), Strong's number `{{G4429}}`, is a primary verb whose fundamental meaning is "to spit." This action involves the expulsion of saliva from the mouth. While the Strong's definition notes a comparison to πTÚσσω (ptyssō - to fold, wrap up), the semantic range of πτύω itself is consistently limited to the act of spitting in all its biblical occurrences. The context in which it appears determines the specific nuance, which can range from an act of profound contempt to a component of a healing ritual. It describes a basic physiological function, but its application in the New Testament carries significant symbolic weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb πτύω appears four times in the New Testament, presenting a striking contrast in its application:
* **Contempt and Humiliation**:
* [[Matthew 26:67]]: "Then they spit in His face and beat Him, and others slapped Him." Here, πτύω describes an act of extreme mockery, scorn, and physical abuse directed at Jesus during His trial before the Sanhedrin. Spitting in someone's face was a profound insult and a public demonstration of utter contempt and degradation in ancient cultures, signifying the complete rejection and vilification of the person. This act underscores the depth of Jesus' suffering and humiliation for humanity's sake.
* **Healing and Divine Power**:
* [[Mark 7:33]]: "And He took him aside from the crowd by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spit and touched his tongue." In this account of Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment, His act of spitting is part of a compassionate, physical engagement. In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman traditions, saliva was sometimes believed to possess medicinal or therapeutic properties. Jesus' use of saliva here is not a mere folk remedy but a tangible means through which His divine power is channeled, connecting with the man's physical affliction.
* [[Mark 8:23]]: "And He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when He had spit on his eyes and laid His hands on him, He asked him, 'Do you see anything?'" Similar to the previous instance, Jesus employs πτύω in the healing of a blind man. This physical act highlights Jesus' unique methods of healing, often involving direct, physical contact and sometimes unusual means, demonstrating His sovereign authority over disease and infirmity.
* [[John 9:6]]: "When He had said this, He spit on the ground, and made clay with the saliva, and applied the clay to his eyes." In the healing of the man born blind, Jesus uses saliva mixed with earth to form clay, which He then applies to the man's eyes. This is another instance where πτύω is integral to a miraculous healing, emphasizing Jesus' tangible interaction with the physical world and His creative power to restore sight, even from birth.
These occurrences reveal πτύω as a word used for both profound degradation and divine restoration, depending entirely on the agent and recipient of the action.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding πτύω includes:
* **ἐμπτύω (emptýō)**: A compound verb (`{{G1716}}`) meaning "to spit upon." This word is frequently used in the New Testament (e.g., [[Mark 10:34]], [[Mark 14:65]], [[Mark 15:19]]) to describe the acts of contempt and abuse directed at Jesus, reinforcing the negative connotation of spitting as an act of scorn and humiliation.
* **ἔμπτυσμα (émptysma)**: A related noun (not found in the NT) meaning "spitting" or "that which is spit out."
* **Healing Rituals**: The use of saliva and other natural elements in healing was a recognized practice in the ancient world, though Jesus' actions transcend mere folk medicine, demonstrating divine power.
* **Humiliation and Insult**: Spitting, particularly in the face, was a universally understood gesture of extreme contempt and public shaming in the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman cultures.
* **Suffering Servant**: The acts of spitting upon Jesus directly fulfill prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant (e.g., [[Isaiah 50:6]]), who would endure shame and abuse for the sake of His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πτύω lies in its dramatic dual application within the New Testament narratives.
Firstly, in the context of Jesus' Passion, the act of spitting upon Him ([[Matthew 26:67]]) is a stark symbol of humanity's profound rejection, contempt, and sin against God. It highlights the depths of humiliation and suffering that the Son of God willingly endured. This act, intended to debase and dishonor Him, paradoxically magnifies His divine patience, humility, and unwavering commitment to His redemptive mission. It directly fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Suffering Servant (e.g., [[Isaiah 50:6]]), who would "not hide My face from disgrace and spitting."
Secondly, Jesus' own use of πτύω in His healing miracles ([[Mark 7:33]], [[Mark 8:23]], [[John 9:6]]) presents a powerful counterpoint. Far from being an act of contempt, His spitting becomes a tangible medium for divine power and grace. These instances underscore His incarnational reality: God became flesh and entered into the physical world, using common elements to effect supernatural change. Jesus' methods often included physical touch and engagement, demonstrating that His power was not abstract but intimately connected to His person and His presence. This also challenges conventional notions of purity and holiness, showing that the divine can manifest through seemingly humble or even "unclean" means to bring about wholeness and restoration. It is a testament to His sovereign authority over creation and His compassionate engagement with human suffering.
### Summary
The Greek verb πτύω (ptýō), meaning "to spit," carries profound theological weight due to its contrasting applications in the New Testament. On one hand, it graphically depicts the extreme contempt and humiliation inflicted upon Jesus during His trial ([[Matthew 26:67]]), fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and underscoring the depth of His suffering for humanity's sin. This act of desecration highlights the radical nature of Christ's self-emptying love. On the other hand, Jesus Himself employs πτύω as a component in several healing miracles ([[Mark 7:33]], [[Mark 8:23]], [[John 9:6]]). In these contexts, His saliva becomes a tangible conduit for divine power, demonstrating His compassionate engagement with human infirmity and His sovereign ability to bring about physical and spiritual restoration. Thus, πτύω encapsulates both the abhorrent depths of human depravity directed towards the Son of God and the boundless, redemptive grace of God extended to humanity through the incarnate Christ.
TRV