πέμπω

From the study of John 1:22

Range of meaning

To send a person on a mission, usually acting on the sender's behalf: a messenger, envoy or agent. In John it overlaps with ἀποστέλλω (G649, also 'to send') with little difference in meaning.

Against the English

"Those who sent us" is accurate in every version. English loses the echo. In John's Gospel, "the one who sent me" (ho pempsas me) is Jesus' usual way of naming God, about two dozen times (e.g., 4:34; 5:24; 6:38).

Used elsewhere in the period

Jewish law held that "a man's agent is as himself" (m. Berakhot 5:5). An envoy carried the sender's authority and had to report back. John 1:19 says the Jews "sent" (apesteilan) priests and Levites from Jerusalem, and 1:24 names Pharisees in connection with the sending. John 1:6 says the Baptizer was "a man sent (apestalmenos) from God".

From the study of John 13:16

Range of meaning

To send, dispatch, commission someone or something.

Against the English

English 'sent' is accurate. What can be missed is how often John uses the word for the Father: 'the one who sent me' (about 25 times).

Used elsewhere in the period

In John: 4:34; 5:24, 30, 37; 6:38–39; 7:16; 12:44–45; 13:20; 20:21 ('As the Father has sent me, I also send you').

From the study of John 13:20

Range of meaning

To send a person, often on an errand or commission, or to send a thing. In John it is used close to interchangeably with ἀποστέλλω (the verb behind "apostle"), and both describe commissioned agency.

Against the English

"Send" is accurate. What English misses is how much the phrase "the one who sent me" means in John. It is a near-title for God, and it carries the idea that the sender is present in the one he sends.

Used elsewhere in the period

The participle phrase ὁ πέμψας με, "the one who sent me," appears around two dozen times in John (e.g. 4:34; 5:23–24; 6:38–39; 7:16; 12:44–45). John 12:44–45 is a close twin of this verse: "whoever believes in me believes… in the one who sent me; whoever sees me sees the one who sent me." Compare 5:23: "whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him." In 20:21 the chain is passed on: "As the Father has sent me, I also send you" (using both verbs).