Greek word · G4150

πλύνω

plynō

to wash

Plynō is the everyday word for laundering clothes, different from louō (bathing the body) and niptō (washing hands or feet). Stolē is the long, flowing outer robe.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

πλύνω

[in LXX chiefly for כָּבַס pi. ;]

to wash (inanimate objects, esp. clothing): τ. δίκτυα, Luke 5:2. Fig., τ. στολάς, Revelation 7:14 22:14 (cf. Psalms 51:4, 9 and see: ἀπο-πλύνω).†

SYN.: see: λούω (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 Revelation 22:14

Range of meaning

Plynō is the everyday word for laundering clothes, different from louō (bathing the body) and niptō (washing hands or feet). Stolē is the long, flowing outer robe. It was worn on formal, festive or honoured occasions and was associated with priests, kings and honoured guests (Mark 12:38; Luke 15:22, 'the best robe'; Mark 16:5).

Against the English

'Wash their robes' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) is accurate. The KJV and WEB's 'do his commandments' reflects a different Greek text, not a different translation of the same words (see textual notes).

Used elsewhere in the period

Revelation 7:14 is the key parallel: 'they have washed their robes [eplynan tas stolas autōn] and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' In the Old Testament, washing garments prepared people to meet God (Exodus 19:10, 14) and restored ritual purity (Leviticus 11:25; 14:8–9; 15). Zechariah 3:3–5 pictures a priest's filthy clothes being replaced with clean festal garments. In the Greek Old Testament, Genesis 49:11 has Judah washing his stolē in wine, 'the blood of grapes'. Revelation 3:4–5 contrasts people who have 'not soiled their garments' with white clothing promised to the one who overcomes.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 5:2 ἔπλυνον were washing

    He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

Revelation · 2

  1. Revelation 7:14 ἔπλυναν they have washed

    “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

    Here: Washing clothes (as opposed to bathing the body), the way Israel washed its garments to be ready to meet God at Sinai (Exod 19:10, 14). The verb is active: they did the washing.

  2. Revelation 22:14 πλύνοντες washing

    Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.

    Here: Present participle: 'the ones washing'. The washing is described as something they do, possibly as an ongoing practice, not only a past event. The verb is used of laundering garments, and it echoes 7:14.

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