Lexical Summary opsis: Appearance, sight, face, countenance Original Word: ὄψις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appearance, countenance, face. From optanomai; properly, sight (the act), i.e. (by implication) the visage, an external show -- appearance, countenance, face. see GREEK optanomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom opópa (perf. of horaó) Definition the act of seeing, the sense of sight NASB Translation appearance (1), face (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3799: ὄψιςὄψις, ὄψεως, ἡ (ὈΠΤΩ, ὄψομαι (cf. ὀφθαλμός)), from Homer down; the Sept. chiefly for מַרְאֶה; 1. seeing, sight. 2. face, countenance: John 11:44; Revelation 1:16. 3. the outward appearance, look (many lexicographers give this neuter and objective sense precedence): κρίνειν κατ' ὄψιν, John 7:24. Strong’s Greek 3799 (ὄψις) consistently refers to a person’s visible “face” or “outward appearance.” In the New Testament it conveys either the merely external aspect that can mislead human judgment or, conversely, the radiant countenance that reveals resurrection life and divine glory. Occurrences in Scripture 1. John 7:24 – “Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.” Historical Setting • In first-century Judaism the “face” symbolized identity and honor. Public life centered on maintaining a good external reputation, yet the prophets had long warned Israel not to confuse outward conformity with true righteousness (for example, Isaiah 29:13). Theological Significance 1. Discernment versus superficiality (John 7:24) Jesus exposes the danger of judging by ὄψις alone. Righteous judgment assesses matters in light of God’s Word and character rather than external religiosity. This harmonizes with passages such as Deuteronomy 1:17 and James 2:1–4, underscoring Scripture’s unified call to impartiality. The wrapped ὄψις of Lazarus highlights the finality of death; yet Christ commands life where decay reigned. When the grave cloth is removed, the formerly veiled face becomes evidence that “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). John beholds the glorified Son of Man whose ὄψις blazes like the midday sun. The same word that can describe a shrouded corpse now portrays the risen Lord, linking the believer’s hope of transformation to Christ’s exalted visage (2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2). Practical Ministry Applications • Cultivate righteous judgment. Church leaders and believers must resist snap evaluations based on looks, charisma, or social standing. Biblical discernment requires prayerful dependence on the Spirit and conformity to scriptural standards. Typological and Prophetic Insights Lazarus’s covered face anticipates the “veil” that will one day be removed from all peoples (Isaiah 25:7–8). Revelation’s shining face reveals the fulfillment: God’s servants “will see His face” (Revelation 22:4). Thus ὄψις traces a redemptive arc from hiddenness and death to unveiled, eternal communion. Relation to Broader Biblical Themes • Presence: “Face” often stands for personal presence. Through Christ, believers gain access to the Father’s favor (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 9:24). Summary Strong’s 3799 underscores the contrast between human emphasis on outward appearance and God’s concern for inward reality, while simultaneously portraying the triumphant glory that shines from the resurrected Christ. The term calls the Church to righteous discernment, confident hope in bodily resurrection, and wholehearted worship of the One whose face will satisfy the redeemed for all eternity. Englishman's Concordance John 7:24 N-AFSGRK: κρίνετε κατ' ὄψιν ἀλλὰ τὴν NAS: according to appearance, but judge KJV: according to the appearance, but INT: Judge according to appearance but John 11:44 N-NFS Revelation 1:16 N-NFS |
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