Greek word · G5392

φιμόω

phimoō

to muzzle

Literally to muzzle (an animal), to put a gag or bridle on. Figuratively, to silence or reduce to speechlessness (Matt 22:12, 34; 1 Pet 2:15). In Greek magical texts it was used for 'binding' an opponent so that he was powerless.

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

φιμόω, -ῶ

(φιμός, a muzzle), [in LXX: Deuteronomy 25:4 (חָסַם), Dan LXX Su 1:61, 4Ma.1:35 א R * ;]

to muzzle: 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 5:18" (LXX) ; metaphorically, to put to silence: with accusative of person(s), Matthew 22:34, 1 Peter 2:15; pass., to be silenced, silent: Matthew 22:12, Mark 1:25 4:39, Luke 4:35.†

(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 Mark 4:39

Range of meaning: Literally to muzzle (an animal), to put a gag or bridle on. Figuratively, to silence or reduce to speechlessness (Matt 22:12, 34; 1 Pet 2:15). In Greek magical texts it was used for 'binding' an opponent so that he was powerless.
Against the English: Nearly all English versions say "Be still". That keeps the result but loses the picture of a muzzle. It also loses the rare perfect tense of the Greek, which adds "and stay that way" (YLT's "be stilled" comes a little closer). The phrase also gets heard alongside Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know", which uses different words and has a different setting.
How it drifted: Most translators chose a smooth English pair ("Peace, be still" / "Quiet, be still"). That made the verse gentle and memorable, and it hid the muzzle.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX Deut 25:4: "You shall not muzzle (phimōseis) an ox while it treads out grain" (quoted in 1 Cor 9:9 and 1 Tim 5:18). Mark 1:25: Jesus to the unclean spirit, "Be muzzled (phimōthēti) and come out of him!" Greek magical papyri include a phimōtikon, a 'muzzling' spell meant to silence and subdue (e.g. PGM VII). Jesus uses no spell or formula. He simply gives an order.

From the study of 1 Peter 2:15

Range of meaning: Literally to muzzle (an animal); by extension to silence, to make speechless.
Against the English: "Silence" or "put to silence" is accurate but loses the picture of a muzzle. The word is earthier and more forceful than polite English "silence".
Used elsewhere in the period: Deut 25:4 LXX, "you shall not muzzle an ox" (quoted in 1 Cor 9:9; 1 Tim 5:18); Jesus "muzzles" a demon (Mark 1:25) and the sea (Mark 4:39, "be still!"); the man without a wedding garment is "speechless" (Matt 22:12); Jesus "silenced" the Sadducees (Matt 22:34).

From the study of Matthew 22:12

Range of meaning: To muzzle (literally, an animal's mouth). Figuratively, to silence, to reduce to silence, to put to silence. The passive means "be muzzled, be silenced, have nothing to say."
Against the English: "Speechless" (most versions) is accurate. But modern English often uses "speechless" for being overwhelmed by surprise or emotion ("I was speechless!"). The Greek pictures a mouth shut with no reply possible. NLT's "had no reply" gets closer to the sense.
How it drifted: English "speechless" has widened toward amazement and delight. The Greek word stays physical and forensic, meaning it belongs to the setting of a trial: a gagged mouth, a defendant with no answer.
Used elsewhere in the period: Deut 25:4 in the Septuagint, "you shall not muzzle (φιμώσεις) an ox while it treads out the grain," quoted at 1 Cor 9:9 and 1 Tim 5:18. Jesus orders a demon and the storm "Be muzzled!" (Mark 1:25; 4:39). In Matt 22:34, just after this parable, Jesus "silenced" (ἐφίμωσεν) the Sadducees. 1 Pet 2:15 has "silence the ignorance of foolish people." Greek binding spells from the period, called "silencing" spells (phimōtika), aimed to shut an opponent's mouth, especially in court. This shows the word's courtroom flavour, though the parable does not draw on magic.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

Matthew 22:12 ἐφιμώθη. he was speechless.

‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.

Here: Literally "he was muzzled." The word is used of tying shut an ox's mouth. The man is not overcome with feeling. He has no defence, and his mouth is shut like an accused man who cannot answer the charge.
Matthew 22:34 ἐφίμωσεν He had silenced

And when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together.

Here: Literally 'he muzzled'. Jesus had shut the Sadducees' mouths completely, leaving them with no reply. The word is blunt and vivid: they were gagged, not merely quietened.

Mark · 2

Mark 1:25 φιμώθητι do be silent

But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!”

Here: A one-off passive command: 'be muzzled!' or 'be gagged!' The verb's basic picture is putting a muzzle on an animal. It shuts the spirit's mouth by force, cutting off what it was saying about who Jesus is.
Mark 4:39 πεφίμωσο. you must be still!

Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

Here: "Be muzzled!" It is a rare perfect passive command, roughly "be muzzled and stay that way." It is the same verb Jesus uses to a shrieking unclean spirit in 1:25 ("Be muzzled and come out of him!").

Luke · 1

Luke 4:35 φιμώθητι do be silent

But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.

Here: A blunt command in passive form: 'be muzzled', 'be gagged'. It shuts down the demon's speech about who Jesus is. The word was in common use for silencing, so the animal picture may be more or less faint, but it is far from a polite 'please be quiet'.

1 Corinthians · 1

1 Corinthians 9:9 κημώσεις you will muzzle

For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 5:18 φιμώσεις· you will muzzle;

For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Here: Future indicative used as a command, the Greek Bible's way of rendering Hebrew law ("you shall not"). It means tying shut or covering the animal's mouth so it cannot eat.

1 Peter · 1

1 Peter 2:15 φιμοῦν to put to silence

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Here: Literally "to muzzle", as one muzzles an animal. It is a vivid word: the good conduct leaves the slander with nothing to bite on.

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