"to wash; spc. to wash some part of the person, as distinguished from λούω, Mt. 6:17; Jn. 13:8"
Definition and meaning
to wash; spc. to wash some part of the person, as distinguished from λούω, Mt. 6:17; Jn. 13:8
In the original Greek the word is written: νίπτω
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 nipto (G3538) across the King James Bible.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
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Common questions
Strong's G3538 (nipto) is a Greek word that means: to wash; spc. to wash some part of the person, as distinguished from λούω, Mt. 6:17; Jn. 13:8 It appears 13 times in the King James Bible.
The word nipto (G3538) appears 13 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3538 is nipto, a Greek word defined as: to wash; spc. to wash some part of the person, as distinguished from λούω, Mt. 6:17; Jn. 13:8. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
nipto is a Greek word found in the New Testament.