3021. leukainó
Lexical Summary
leukainó: To whiten, to make white

Original Word: λευκαίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: leukainó
Pronunciation: loo-kai'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (lyoo-kah'-ee-no)
KJV: make white, whiten
NASB: Made white, whiten
Word Origin: [from G3022 (λευκός - white)]

1. to whiten

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
make white, whiten.

From leukos; to whiten -- make white, whiten.

see GREEK leukos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from leukos
Definition
to whiten, to make white
NASB Translation
made...white (1), whiten (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3021: λευκαίνω

λευκαίνω: 1 aorist ἐλευκανα (cf. Winers Grammar, § 13, 1 d.; Buttmann, 41 (35)); (λευκός); from Homer down; the Sept. for הִלְבִּין; to whiten, make white: τί, Mark 9:3; Revelation 7:14.

STRONGS NT 3021a: λευκοβυσσινον [λευκοβυσσινον: Revelation 19:14, WH marginal reading, others βύσσινον λευκόν, see in βύσσινος.]

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Symbolism of Whiteness

Whiteness in Scripture consistently connotes purity, holiness, victory, and divine glory. From the “snow-white” throne scene of Daniel 7:9 to the dazzling garments of the resurrected Christ in Revelation, the color communicates separation from defilement and the radiance of God’s own character. The verb under study conveys the active process of bringing something into that state—moving from the stained to the spotless.

New Testament Occurrences

1. Mark 9:3 – At the Transfiguration “His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them”. The evangelist underscores that no earthly skill can achieve the brilliance produced by divine glory.
2. Revelation 7:14 – The multitude emerging from the great tribulation “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. Human beings receive a whiteness impossible by natural means; it is accomplished only through the atonement of Christ.

Historical and Cultural Setting

• In the ancient Mediterranean world, laundering and bleaching were labor-intensive. Fullers used alkali solutions, sunlight, and abrasion to whiten fabrics. Mark’s comparison to the “launderer” would immediately signal the limits of human effort.
• White garments carried social and religious significance: priests ministered in linen, conquerors wore white to victory parades, and candidates for public office in Rome donned the candida toga (from which “candidate” derives). Revelation draws on this cultural backdrop to depict the saints as victorious and priestly.

Theological Themes

Purification by Substitution

Revelation’s paradox—robes turned white by blood—teaches that cleansing is secured through sacrificial atonement, not moral self-improvement. Believers are “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) and so share His righteousness.

Revelation and Eschatological Assurance

The verb appears near the climax of apocalyptic vision, assuring persecuted believers that their suffering yields triumph. The whitened robes anticipate the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:8), where “fine linen, bright and pure” is “the righteous deeds of the saints.”

Christological Revelation

At the Transfiguration, the unparalleled whitening of Jesus’ garments serves as a visible disclosure of His divine nature. It prefigures resurrection glory and authenticates the heaven-sent authority of the Son.

Old Testament Foundations

Prophetic promises frame the New Testament usage:
Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
Ecclesiastes 9:8 – “Let your garments always be white,” a call to persistent holiness.
Zechariah 3:4 – Joshua the high priest is reclothed, foreshadowing imputed righteousness.

Early Christian Worship and Practice

The post-apostolic church adopted white baptismal robes to dramatize the new believer’s cleansing. Easter, a season celebrating resurrection, became especially associated with white vestments (“whitening Sunday” in some early sources), echoing both New Testament occurrences.

Ministry Implications

• Preaching: The imagery encourages proclamation of justification by faith—Christ alone whitens the sinner’s garments.
• Pastoral Care: Suffering saints are reminded that tribulation is temporary and purity is secured.
• Discipleship: Believers pursue practical holiness, not to achieve standing, but to live consistently with the whiteness already granted.
• Worship: Liturgical use of white on resurrection and ascension feasts visually reinforces the hope of glorification.

Integrated Biblical Portrait

The two inspired snapshots—one on a mountain, the other before the throne—frame the entire redemptive journey. In the first, Christ alone shines; in the second, a redeemed multitude shares His brilliance. The verb thus captures the gospel’s movement: the glory that belongs to the Son is graciously imparted to His people, who will forever reflect His radiant holiness.

Forms and Transliterations
ελευκαναν ελεύκαναν ἐλεύκαναν ελεύκανε λευκαίνουσα λευκαναι λευκάναι λευκᾶναι λευκανθήσομαι λευκανθίζοντα λευκανώ λεύκην λεύκης eleukanan eleúkanan leukanai leukânai
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Englishman's Concordance
Mark 9:3 V-ANA
GRK: δύναται οὕτως λευκᾶναι
NAS: on earth can whiten them.
KJV: earth can white them.
INT: is able thus to whiten

Revelation 7:14 V-AIA-3P
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλεύκαναν αὐτὰς ἐν
NAS: their robes and made them white in the blood
KJV: made them white in the blood
INT: of them and made white them in

Strong's Greek 3021
2 Occurrences


ἐλεύκαναν — 1 Occ.
λευκᾶναι — 1 Occ.

3020
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