"to play upon, deride, mock, treat with scorn, ridicule, Mt. 20:19; 27:29; by impl. to delude, deceive, Mt. 2:16"
Definition and meaning
to play upon, deride, mock, treat with scorn, ridicule, Mt. 20:19; 27:29; by impl. to delude, deceive, Mt. 2:16
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐμπαίζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of empaizo (G1702) across the King James Bible.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
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Common questions
Strong's G1702 (empaizo) is a Greek word that means: to play upon, deride, mock, treat with scorn, ridicule, Mt. 20:19; 27:29; by impl. to delude, deceive, Mt. 2:16 It appears 13 times in the King James Bible.
The word empaizo (G1702) appears 13 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1702 is empaizo, a Greek word defined as: to play upon, deride, mock, treat with scorn, ridicule, Mt. 20:19; 27:29; by impl. to delude, deceive, Mt. 2:16. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
empaizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.