633. aponiptó
Lexical Summary
aponiptó: To wash off, to wash away

Original Word: ἀπονίπτω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aponiptó
Pronunciation: ah-po-NEEP-to
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-on-ip'-to)
KJV: wash
NASB: washed
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and G3538 (νίπτω - wash)]

1. to wash off (reflexively, one's own hands symbolically)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
wash.

From apo and nipto; to wash off (reflexively, one's own hands symbolically) -- wash.

see GREEK apo

see GREEK nipto

HELPS Word-studies

633 aponíptō (from 3538 /níptō, "wash," strengthened by the prefix, 575 /apó, "away from") – properly, wash away from (used only in Mt 27:24).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from apo and niptó
Definition
to wash off
NASB Translation
washed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 633: ἀπονίπτω

ἀπονίπτω: to wash off; 1 aorist middle ἀπενιψαμην; in middle to wash oneself off, to wash off for oneself: τάς χεῖρας, Matthew 27:24, cf. Deuteronomy 21:6f (The earlier Greeks say ἀπονίζω — but with future ἀπονιψω, 1 aorist ἀπενιψα; the later, as Theophrastus, char. 25 (30 (17)); Plutarch, Phocylides, 18; Athen. iv. c. 31, p. 149 c., ἀπονίπτω, although this is found (but in the middle) even in Homer, Odyssey 18, 179.)

Topical Lexicon
Word Overview

Strong’s Greek 633, ἀπονίπτω (aponipto), appears only once in the New Testament. It depicts the deliberate act of washing something off, and in its single occurrence it is used reflexively of Pontius Pilate “washing his hands.”

Biblical Occurrence

Matthew 27:24 records Pilate’s action as he capitulated to the Sanhedrin’s demand for Jesus’ crucifixion: “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘See to it yourselves.’”.

Historical and Cultural Background

1. Roman Judicial Customs: Roman officials occasionally used symbolic gestures to communicate verdicts. Although explicit hand-washing rituals are not extensively documented in Roman law, a governor might employ a dramatic act to placate an agitated crowd or to distance himself from responsibility.
2. Jewish Resonance: The crowd standing before Pilate would instantly recognize the symbolism from Torah practice (Deuteronomy 21:6-8) where elders washed their hands over a sacrificed heifer to declare innocence concerning unsolved bloodshed. By borrowing Israel’s own imagery, Pilate both appealed to their sensibilities and attempted to transfer moral culpability back onto them.

Symbolic Significance of Handwashing

• Innocence Claimed: Washing hands in the Hebrew Scriptures expressed guiltlessness (Psalm 26:6; Psalm 73:13). Pilate employed the same sign yet ignored its deeper ethical demand: genuine innocence must be matched by just action, not merely ceremonial display.
• External Versus Internal Cleansing: The prophets repeatedly warned that ritual purity without moral obedience is hollow (Isaiah 1:15-16). The New Covenant intensifies this contrast: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8). Pilate’s gesture underscores the insufficiency of outward rites to remove inward guilt.

Theological Insights

1. Human Evasion of Responsibility: Pilate illustrates the fallen inclination to avoid accountability. Though convinced of Jesus’ innocence (Matthew 27:18, 23), he surrendered to political pressure, illustrating that conscience without courage still leads to complicity.
2. Transfer of Guilt: By invoking Deuteronomy imagery Pilate attempted to pass guilt to Israel. Yet Acts 4:27-28 affirms God’s sovereignty over the combined actions of “Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,” showing that all parties shared responsibility even while God’s redemptive plan advanced.
3. True Innocence and Blood: Ironically, the only truly innocent blood in history was that of the One being condemned. Pilate’s words therefore become a testimony against himself: the governor claimed innocence while condemning the only One who could secure innocence for others (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Relation to Old Testament Ritual Cleansing

Deuteronomy 21:6-8 – Elders washed their hands to attest, “Our hands have not shed this blood.” Pilate uses the same gesture yet ignores its requisite accompanying prayer for mercy and justice.
Exodus 30:17-21 – Priests washed before ministry. Jesus, the great High Priest, entered His passion already perfectly pure; those who condemned Him remained defiled though they practiced external washings.
Psalm 26:6 – David’s declaration, “I wash my hands in innocence, and go around Your altar, O LORD,” anticipates the one altar where true innocence is vindicated—the cross.

Related Concepts in the New Testament

• Ritual Cleansing Critiqued: Mark 7:1-23 contrasts Pharisaic hand-washing traditions with heart purity. Pilate’s act is the civil counterpart to the religious hypocrisy Jesus decried.
• Spiritual Washing in Christ: Hebrews 10:22 speaks of hearts sprinkled clean and bodies washed with pure water—a divine cleansing realized through Christ’s sacrifice, not human ceremonies.
• Public Testimony of Guiltlessness: Paul, accused before governors, did not resort to symbolic washings but bore witness to a clear conscience through truthful speech and righteous behavior (Acts 24:16).

Applications for Ministry and Personal Life

1. Genuine Repentance: External gestures—whether liturgical or personal—must be grounded in sincere repentance and obedience. Ministry should call believers beyond symbolism to the cleansing available in Christ alone (1 John 1:9).
2. Courageous Justice: Leaders and believers are warned against Pilate-like capitulation. Upholding righteousness may incur cost, yet acquiescence to injustice leaves indelible guilt.
3. Proclaiming the Innocent One: Pilate’s reluctant testimony can be redirected evangelistically: though the world declared itself “innocent,” God vindicated His Son through resurrection, proving human guilt and divine grace.

Summary

The solitary use of ἀπονίπτω captures a dramatic moment where human authority sought to absolve itself by ritual, highlighting the contrast between superficial cleansing and the authentic purification God provides through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pilate’s hand-washing stands as a perpetual reminder that only the blood he tried to avoid is sufficient to wash sinners clean.

Forms and Transliterations
απένιψαν απενιψατο απενίψατο ἀπενίψατο απένιψεν απεξενούτο απεξήρανε απεξυσμένον απεξυσμένους απεπήδησαν απεπήδησεν απεπίασεν απονιψαμένη αποξενούσαι αποξενωθή αποξηράναντος αποξηρανθήσονται αποξυσθήναι αποξύσουσιν αποπειράται αποπεμπτούν αποπεμπτωσάτωσαν apenipsato apenípsato
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:24 V-AIM-3S
GRK: λαβὼν ὕδωρ ἀπενίψατο τὰς χεῖρας
NAS: water and washed his hands
KJV: water, and washed [his] hands
INT: having taken water he washed [his] hands

Strong's Greek 633
1 Occurrence


ἀπενίψατο — 1 Occ.

632
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