ἐκκεντέω

Pronunciation Guide: ek-ken-TEH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1574: Ἐκκεντέω (ekkenteō) means “to pierce through, to transfix,” specifically describing the action of penetrating or piercing a body with a sharp implement. In biblical contexts, it dramatically depicts the piercing of the Messiah’s side during His crucifixion, fulfilling ancient prophecy. This rare but theologically significant verb captures both the physical reality of Yeshua’s suffering and the spiritual implications of His sacrificial death.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: Compound of ἐκ (ek, “out from”) + κεντέω (kenteō, “to prick, pierce”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative sections, particularly in prophetic references and fulfillment passages
• Frequency: Extremely rare in biblical texts (only twice in the New Testament)

ἐκκεντέω Morphology:

• ἐκκεντέω (present active indicative) – I pierce through
• ἐκκεντήσω (future active indicative) – I will pierce through
• ἐξεκέντησα (aorist active indicative) – I pierced through
• ἐκκεντήσουσιν (future active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they will pierce through
• ἐξεκέντησαν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they pierced through

Origin & History

The verb ἐκκεντέω emerges from classical Greek literature where it described the act of piercing or transfixing an object or person, often in military contexts. The compound structure combines the preposition ἐκ (out from) with κεντέω (to prick or pierce), suggesting penetration that goes completely through an object.

In the Septuagint (LXX), a particularly significant usage appears in Zechariah 12:10, where it translates the Hebrew דָּקַר (daqar, “to pierce”). This prophetic passage became foundational for New Testament understanding of the Messiah’s suffering. Early Christian writers like Justin Martyr in his “Dialogue with Trypho” and Clement of Alexandria in “Stromata” recognized this connection, frequently citing these passages as evidence of Yeshua’s messianic identity through the specific fulfillment of the piercing prophecy.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete Piercing – To pierce entirely through, emphasizing penetration from one side to another
• Lethal Stabbing – To stab or transfix in a way that causes death
• Prophetic Fulfillment – To pierce in fulfillment of prophecy, particularly regarding the Messiah
• Symbolic Wounding – To inflict a wound that carries spiritual significance beyond the physical act

ἐκκεντέω Translation Options:

• “Pierce through” – Captures both the violence and completeness of the action, emphasizing full penetration
• “Transfix” – Highlights the fixating nature of the piercing, suggesting immobility and permanence
• “Stab” – Emphasizes the violent, intentional nature of the action but may miss the “through” component
• “Impale” – Conveys severity and suggests mounting on the implement, reflecting Roman crucifixion practices

Biblical Usage

The verb ἐκκεντέω appears only twice in the New Testament, yet these occurrences carry profound theological weight. Its first appearance is in John 19:37, where the evangelist quotes Zechariah 12:10 to demonstrate the fulfillment of prophecy when a Roman soldier pierced Yeshua’s side with a spear. This deliberate connection creates a powerful theological bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures and their fulfillment in the Messiah’s sacrificial death.

The term’s second appearance comes in Revelation 1:7, again referencing Zechariah’s prophecy but now applied to the eschatological return of the Messiah. This creates a theological arc spanning from His first coming to His second, with the piercing serving as both historical reality and future witness. The rarity of this term heightens its significance, as the Holy Spirit inspired both John’s Gospel and the Revelation to use this precise term in connecting these pivotal events.

• “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out… ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced [ἐξεκέντησαν].’” John 19:34,37
• “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced [ἐξεκέντησαν] Him.” Revelation 1:7
• “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, whom they have pierced [ἐξεκέντησαν].” Zechariah 12:10 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Roman crucifixion practices, the piercing of a victim’s side with a spear (lancea) served a practical purpose—ensuring death before the body was removed from the cross. Roman soldiers were trained in precise anatomical targeting, typically aiming for the heart region. The gospel’s description of blood and water flowing separately suggests a piercing that penetrated the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, which medical experts confirm would result in such a phenomenon after death had occurred.

The cultural significance of piercing went beyond Roman execution methods. In Jewish thought, particularly within Temple sacrifice rituals, piercing was integral to proper blood offerings. The Passover lamb was pierced with a spit for roasting, creating a powerful typological connection to the Messiah’s piercing. Furthermore, in ancient Near Eastern mourning practices, the act of looking upon one who had been pierced (as referenced in Zechariah 12:10) would typically trigger intense grief and lamentation, especially if the piercing caused death. This cultural context enriches our understanding of both the prophecy and its fulfillment.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἐκκεντέω extend far beyond a mere physical description of crucifixion. This piercing represents the absolute fulfillment of divine prophecy, demonstrating Yahweh’s sovereignty over history and validating Yeshua’s messianic identity. The precision with which John connects the soldier’s action to Zechariah’s prophecy removes any possibility of coincidence, revealing divine orchestration even in the midst of human cruelty.

Moreover, the flowing of blood and water from the Messiah’s pierced side carries profound sacramental symbolism. Early church fathers like Chrysostom recognized this as representing the birth of the church and its sacraments—blood symbolizing redemption through sacrifice and water representing purification through baptism. This dual flow perfectly encapsulates the twin realities of atonement and cleansing that form the foundation of salvation. In this one verb, we witness both the depths of Yahweh’s love in allowing His Son to be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5) and the heights of His redemptive plan that transforms even an instrument of torture into a channel of grace.

Personal Application

The piercing of our Messiah invites personal reflection on the cost of our salvation. When we meditate on ἐκκεντέω, we’re confronted with the tangible reality of what our sin demanded—not merely spiritual suffering but actual physical penetration of the Divine body. This should cultivate in us a profound gratitude that transforms how we approach both worship and ethical living. Each time we see a cross or participate in communion, we can remember that His piercing secured our wholeness.

Furthermore, Zechariah’s prophecy about looking upon “Him whom they pierced” challenges us to honest self-examination. Though we didn’t physically hold the spear, our sin necessitated His piercing. This recognition should lead to genuine repentance and a deeper appreciation of grace. When we struggle with guilt or shame, we can turn our eyes to the pierced One who now stands victorious, whose wounds testify not only to suffering but to triumphant resurrection power that lives within every believer.

Related Words

• νύσσω (nyssō, “to prick, pierce slightly”) – A less intensive form of piercing that doesn’t necessarily penetrate completely through; used in John 19:34 when describing the initial action of the soldier’s spear. See G3572
• τιτρώσκω (titrōskō, “to wound”) – Emphasizes the resulting injury rather than the penetrating action itself; focuses on damage rather than the manner of infliction. See G5135
• διαπείρω (diapeirō, “to pierce through”) – Similar compound construction but used metaphorically in 1 Timothy 6:10 for being “pierced through” with sorrows. See G1310
• τρυπάω (trypaō, “to bore a hole”) – Describes making a deliberate opening through drilling or boring, without the violent connotation of ἐκκεντέω. See G5169
• σταυρόω (stauroō, “to crucify”) – While not directly related linguistically, this word shares the theological context of the Messiah’s execution and passion. See G4717

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the specific Roman spear used to pierce Yeshua, called a “lancea,” was designed with a leaf-shaped tip that would create a wound wide enough to ensure quick blood loss? This design explains the immediate flow of blood and water described in John’s gospel. The historical precision of this detail adds credibility to the eyewitness nature of John’s account and demonstrates that the gospel writers were accurately recording actual events, not creating symbolic fiction.
• Did you know that in Ancient Near Eastern mourning rituals, tearing one’s garments or piercing one’s flesh was a common expression of grief? This cultural practice illuminates Zechariah’s prophecy that those who look upon “Him whom they pierced” will mourn “as one mourns for an only child.” The prophecy anticipates not just recognition but profound spiritual grief and repentance when Israel finally recognizes her Messiah whom she rejected. This national repentance is still anticipated in future eschatological fulfillment.
• Did you know that the Dead Sea Scrolls contain a fragment of Zechariah 12:10 that has been interpreted by some scholars as reading “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced”? This reading, which maintains the first-person pronoun, creates an even more explicit identification between Yahweh and the one who is pierced. This textual variant strengthens the connection between the divine identity of the Messiah and the suffering servant, providing powerful evidence for Yeshua’s divinity from pre-Christian Jewish sources.

Remember This

The piercing of Messiah Yeshua was not merely a historical accident but a divinely appointed moment where prophecy and fulfillment converged, where heaven touched earth through wounds, and where salvation flowed from the side of the One who loved us enough to be pierced for our transgressions.