prolongation from (to grasp; apparently strengthened from σπάω through the idea of spasmodic contraction); to mangle, i.e. convluse with epilepsy:--rend, tear.
Transliteration:sparássō
Pronunciation:spar-as'-so
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G4682}}` (sparássō) carries the primary meaning "to tear, rend, or mangle." Its etymological root, likely from σπάω (spáō), meaning "to draw, pull, or tear," suggests a violent and forceful action. The base definition provided specifies a prolongation of this idea, particularly through "spasmodic contraction," leading to the meaning "to convulse with epilepsy." Thus, the semantic range of `{{G4682}}` encompasses both the literal tearing or mangling of something and, more frequently in the New Testament, the violent, involuntary convulsions experienced by individuals, often described in contexts of demonic oppression. This implies a sudden, powerful, and often destructive physical manifestation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the New Testament, `{{G4682}}` appears exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels, always in connection with individuals afflicted by evil spirits, manifesting in severe physical symptoms often akin to epileptic seizures.
* In [[Mark 1:26]], an unclean spirit, upon being commanded by Jesus, "convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice and came out of him." This is the first instance of Jesus casting out a demon in Mark's Gospel, powerfully demonstrating His authority over spiritual forces. The "convulsing" (σπαράσσω) highlights the demon's violent resistance and the physical distress it inflicts.
* The most detailed accounts are found in the healing of the demon-possessed boy, often described as having a "mute and deaf spirit." In [[Mark 9:20]], when the boy is brought to Jesus, the spirit "immediately threw him into a convulsion, and he fell to the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth." Later, in [[Mark 9:26]], as Jesus commands the spirit to leave, "after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out." The intensity of the convulsion before expulsion underscores the spirit's desperate, final effort to retain its hold.
* Similarly, in [[Luke 9:39]], describing the same incident, the spirit "seizes him, and he suddenly cries out, and it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth." Then, in [[Luke 9:42]], as the boy approaches Jesus, "the demon threw him down and convulsed him terribly." In all these instances, `{{G4682}}` describes a violent, involuntary physical reaction, characterized by seizures, foaming, and falling, directly attributed to the presence and departure of an oppressive spirit. The word consistently portrays the physical agony and the destructive power of the demonic realm.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of `{{G4682}}` is intrinsically linked to several other significant biblical terms and ideas:
* **`{{G4151}}` (pneuma) / `{{G169}}` (akathartos):** "Spirit" and "unclean," as `{{G4682}}` is almost exclusively used to describe the physical manifestations caused by "unclean spirits" or "demons."
* **`{{G1139}}` (daimonizomai):** "To be demon-possessed," the state often leading to the convulsive actions described by `{{G4682}}`.
* **`{{G2574}}` (kakōs echō):** "To be ill" or "to be in a bad state," a broader term that could encompass the physical suffering described by `{{G4682}}`.
* **`{{G2821}}` (kōphos) / `{{G216}}` (alalos):** "Dumb" or "mute," and "speechless," as the demonized boy in Mark 9 was also described as having a "mute spirit," linking the physical convulsions to other sensory or communicative impairments caused by demonic influence.
* **`{{G2323}}` (therapeuō) / `{{G2390}}` (iaomai):** "To heal" or "to cure," representing the divine intervention and restoration that follows the violent expulsion of the spirit described by `{{G4682}}`. The contrast between the demon's destructive power and Jesus' restorative power is stark.
### Theological Significance
The use of `{{G4682}}` in the Gospels carries profound theological significance:
1. **Manifestation of Demonic Power:** `{{G4682}}` vividly portrays the destructive and violent nature of demonic oppression. It reveals that evil spirits are not merely spiritual influences but can inflict severe physical and mental torment upon individuals, demonstrating their rebellion against God's order and their desire to destroy human flourishing.
2. **Christ's Authority Over Evil:** The consistent portrayal of demons causing violent convulsions before their expulsion underscores the absolute authority of Jesus Christ. The final, intense spasm described by `{{G4682}}` is not a sign of the demon's power, but rather its desperate, futile resistance against the irresistible command of the Son of God. It highlights that even in their final moments of defiance, these spiritual entities are utterly subject to Christ's divine power.
3. **Compassion and Deliverance:** The instances where `{{G4682}}` is used invariably lead to Jesus' compassionate intervention and the complete deliverance of the afflicted individual. This word, therefore, serves as a stark contrast to the healing and restoration brought by Christ, emphasizing His role as the deliverer from all forms of evil, spiritual and physical.
4. **Reality of Spiritual Warfare:** The detailed descriptions involving `{{G4682}}` affirm the reality of spiritual warfare in the New Testament narrative. It is not merely a metaphorical concept but a tangible struggle with real, malevolent forces that inflict genuine suffering, against which only divine power can prevail.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G4682}}` (sparássō) primarily signifies "to tear, rend, or mangle," and in its biblical usage, it specifically denotes violent, involuntary convulsions, often akin to epileptic seizures. In the New Testament, it is exclusively employed in the Synoptic Gospels to describe the physical manifestations of demonic oppression. The word vividly portrays the destructive power of evil spirits, causing intense physical suffering in their victims, particularly evident in their violent spasms just before being cast out by Jesus. Theologically, `{{G4682}}` serves to underscore the reality of demonic influence, the profound suffering it inflicts, and, most importantly, the absolute, compassionate authority of Jesus Christ to deliver individuals from the grip of such malevolent forces, thereby affirming His divine power over all spiritual and physical evil.
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