Greek word · G2613

καταδικάζω

katadikazō

to condemn

To give judgment against someone; to condemn or convict as a court does. Its opposite is acquitting or declaring innocent.

Appears 5 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κατα-δικάζω

[in LXX: Psalms 94:21 (רָשַׁע hi.), Lamentations 3:36 (עָוַת pi.), Wisdom of Solomon 2:20, al. ;]

to pass sentence upon, condemn; in cl., with genitive of person(s) (accusative of thing(s)); in late writers (so LXX), with accusative of person(s) (θανάτῳ, Wis, l.with): Matthew 12:7, James 5:6; absol. (as Plat., Legg., 958c), Luke 6:37; pass., Matthew 12:37, Luke 6:37.†

δικάζω,

to judge: Luke 6:37 (Tr., mg.; see: καταδ-; Cremer, 199).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 12:7

Range of meaning

To give judgment against someone; to condemn or convict as a court does. Its opposite is acquitting or declaring innocent.

Against the English

Close to English 'condemn' in its legal sense. In casual English 'condemn' can mean just 'disapprove strongly'. The Greek keeps the picture of a verdict.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the LXX and in legal papyri it is used for judicial sentences. Elsewhere in the NT: Matt 12:37 ('by your words you will be condemned'), Luke 6:37 ('do not condemn'), James 5:6 ('you have condemned… the righteous').

From the study of James 5:6

Range of meaning

To decide a case against someone: to pronounce guilty, give an adverse verdict, sentence. Built from κατά ('against') + δικάζω ('to judge'). Mainly used of formal legal verdicts, sometimes figuratively of passing judgment.

Against the English

English 'condemn' now often means 'strongly disapprove of' ('the senator condemned the remarks'). Here it is a verdict delivered in a court, with legal consequences.

How it drifted

Over time 'condemn' in English moved from its legal sense (still alive in 'condemned prisoner') to a general sense of moral criticism.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the NT at Matt 12:7, 37; Luke 6:37 ('do not condemn'). The closest parallel is Wisdom of Solomon 2:20, where the ungodly plot against the righteous poor man: 'let us condemn (καταδικάσωμεν) him to a shameful death.' In the papyri it is a standard term for an adverse court ruling.

From the study of Luke 6:37

Range of meaning

To give a judgment against someone, find them guilty, sentence or condemn them. It is a formal legal word meaning to rule against (kata) someone.

Against the English

'Condemn' is accurate. In casual English it can mean only 'strongly disapprove of', but the Greek pictures an actual guilty verdict with a sentence attached.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Ps 36(37):33: the Lord will not 'condemn him when he is judged'. This pairs κρίνω and καταδικάζω exactly as Luke does. Wisdom 2:20 has the wicked say 'let us condemn him to a shameful death'. In the New Testament: Matt 12:7, 37; Jas 5:6 ('you have condemned, you have murdered the righteous one'). Josephus uses it for court sentences.

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 12:7 κατεδικάσατε you have condemned

    If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

    Here: A courtroom word: to give a verdict of guilty. The Pharisees have in effect ruled the disciples to be lawbreakers (v. 2, 'doing what is not lawful').

  2. Matthew 12:37 καταδικασθήσῃ.¶ you will be condemned.

    For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

    Here: 'You will be sentenced against': found guilty and sentenced. It comes from the same 'justice' root (*dik-*) as the verb for acquittal and rhymes with it (*dikaiōthēsē / katadikasthēsē*). Matthew used the same verb in 12:7, where the Pharisees 'condemned the guiltless.' Here the people who condemned are themselves condemned out of their own mouths.

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 6:37 καταδικάζετε, καταδικασθῆτε. do condemn,, you may be condemned.

    Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

    Here: A courtroom word: to hand down a sentence against someone, to find them guilty. It goes one step beyond 'judge': not just weighing someone but pronouncing them guilty.

James · 1

  1. James 5:6 κατεδικάσατε, You have condemned

    You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

    Here: A courtroom word: to give a guilty verdict against someone. The rich are pictured as using the courts (compare 2:6, 'they drag you into court') to rule against the poor. The past tense sums up their record as a finished fact.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.