Word Study for G609 (ἀποκόπτω)

apokóptō /ap-ok-op'-to/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and κόπτω

Meaningto amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts)

KJV usagecut off. Compare κατατομή.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of apokóptō — 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 apokóptō, represented by G609, means to amputate or cut off. It appears 9 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. The term is used to describe a decisive and often violent act of separation, ranging from the literal amputation of a body part to the cutting of ropes.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G609 is used in several distinct contexts. Jesus uses it hyperbolically, instructing followers to cut off a hand or foot that causes them to sin, emphasizing the need for radical separation from evil to enter into life (Mark 9:43, Mark 9:45). In a literal sense, it describes Peter's violent act of using a sword to cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, Malchus (John 18:10, John 18:26). It is also used in a non-violent, practical context, where soldiers cut off the ropes of a boat Acts 27:32. Finally, Paul uses the word ironically, wishing that those who were troubling the Galatians would cut themselves off Galatians 5:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Two related words appear alongside G609 in the narrative of Peter's attack on Malchus:

G1670 helkýō (to drag... draw): This word describes the action immediately preceding the use of G609. Peter first had to draw his sword from its sheath before he could cut off the servant's ear John 18:10.
G3817 paíō (to hit... smite, strike): This describes the blow Peter delivered. After drawing his sword, he smote the servant, which resulted in him cutting off the ear John 18:10.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G609 is demonstrated through its varied applications:

Radical Discipleship: In the Gospel of Mark, the command to cut off a limb serves as a powerful metaphor for the extreme measures required to remove sin from one's life. It highlights the seriousness of sin and the value of eternal life over temporal comfort (Mark 9:43, Mark 9:45).
Misguided Human Action: Peter's use of force in the garden, culminating in cutting off an ear, illustrates a carnal response to a spiritual conflict. His action to cut off Malchus's ear stands in contrast to the path of suffering Jesus was willingly taking John 18:10.
Apostolic Condemnation: Paul employs the term with severe irony in his letter to the Galatians. His desire for the troublemakers to cut themselves off is a form of rhetorical condemnation, expressing his profound opposition to their legalistic teachings Galatians 5:12.

Summary

In summary, G609 is a forceful word signifying a complete and decisive separation. While it can denote a literal action, such as cutting ropes or a part of the body, its greater significance is found in its metaphorical uses. It serves as a command for radical spiritual purity, an illustration of misplaced human zeal, and a tool for sharp apostolic rebuke. The word's application shows how a simple act of cutting can convey profound theological truths about sin, discipleship, and church conflict.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Future Middle Indicative 3rd Plural 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
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.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.

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 6 verses across 4 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Mark and John (2 verses each); never once in the other 23.

Mark

John

Acts

Galatians

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.