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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - John 18:22 - 18:22
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Struck - with the palm of his hand (ἐÌδωκε Ï̔αÌπισμα)
Literally, gave a blow. Interpreters differ as to whether it was a blow with a rod, or with the hand. The kindred verb Ï̔απιÌζω, from Ï̔απιÌÏ‚, a rod, is etymologically related to Ï̔αβδιÌζω, from Ï̔αÌβδος, a rod, and occurs Mat 5:39, of smiting on the cheek, and Mat 26:67, where it is distinguished from κολαφιÌζω, to strike with the fist. This latter passage, however, leaves the question open, since, if the meaning to smite with a rod can be defended, there is nothing to prevent its being understood there in that sense. The earlier meaning of the word was, undoubtedly, according to its etymology, to smite with a rod. So Herodotus of Xerxes. “It is certain that he commanded those who scourged (Ï̔απι.ζοντας) the waters (of the Hellespont) to utter, as they lashed them, these barbarian and wicked words†(vii., 35). And again: “The Corinthian captain, Adeimantus, observed, 'Themistocles, at the games they who start too soon are scourged (Ï̔απιÌζονται)'†(viii., 59). It passes, in classical Greek, from this meaning to that of a light blow with the hand. The grammarian Phrynichus (A. D. 180) condemns the use of the word in the sense of striking with the hand, or slapping, as not according to good Attic usage, and says that the proper expression for a blow on the cheek with the open hand is ἐπὶ κοÌÏÏης παταÌξαι. This shows that the un-Attic phrase had crept into use. In the Septuagint the word is clearly used in the sense of a blow with the hand. See Isa 50:6 : “I gave my cheeks to blows (εἰς Ï̔απι.σματα). Hos 11:4, “As a man that smiteth (Ï̔απιÌζων) upon his cheeks†(A.V. and Rev., that take off the yoke on their jaws). In 1Ki 22:24, we read, “Zedekiah - smote Micaiah on the cheek (ἐπαÌταξε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγοÌνα).†The word in Joh 18:23, δεÌÏεις, literally, flayest, hence, do beat or thrash (compare Luk 12:47), seems better to suit the meaning strike with a rod; yet in 2Co 11:20, that verb is used of smiting in the face (εἰς Ï€ÏοÌσωπον δεÌÏει), and in 1Co 9:27, where Paul is using the figure of a boxer, he says, “So fight I (πυκτευÌω, of boxing, or fighting with the fists), not as one that beateth (δεÌÏων) the air.†These examples practically destroy the force of the argument from δεÌÏεις. It is impossible to settle the point conclusively; but, on the whole, it seems as well to retain the rendering of the A.V. and Rev.