Greek word · G5621

ὠτίον

ōtion

ear

Ear. In form it is a 'small' version of ous ('ear'), but in Koine such forms had often lost any sense of smallness. It may sometimes mean the outer ear or lobe.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

ὠτίον, -ου, τό, dimin. of οὖς,

[in LXX for אֹזֶן ;]

an ear: Matthew 26:51, Luke 22:51, John 18:26.†

(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 John 18:26

Range of meaning: Ear. In form it is a 'small' version of ous ('ear'), but in Koine such forms had often lost any sense of smallness. It may sometimes mean the outer ear or lobe.
Against the English: English 'ear' is accurate. The Latin Vulgate's auricula ('little ear') keeps the form but adds no clear extra meaning.
Used elsewhere in the period: Also in Mark 14:47 and Matthew 26:51 for the same incident. Luke uses ous and ōtion. Josephus (Antiquities 14.366) records that Antigonus mutilated Hyrcanus's ears so that he could never again serve as high priest, since bodily defects disqualified priests (Leviticus 21:17-23).

From the study of Matthew 26:51

Range of meaning: Ear. In form it is a diminutive ('little ear') of οὖς (ous). By the Koine period (the everyday Greek of the New Testament era) many diminutive forms, especially for body parts, had lost their 'smallness' and simply meant the thing itself.
Against the English: All versions say 'ear', correctly. Some preachers say only the earlobe was cut. The diminutive form alone does not establish that.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Gospels vary the word: Mark 14:47 and John 18:10 use ὠτάριον (ōtarion, another diminutive), Luke 22:50 uses the plain οὖς and then ὠτίον in 22:51, and Luke and John specify the right ear. BDAG treats ὠτίον as simply 'ear'. Josephus (Antiquities 14.366; War 1.270) records that Antigonus mutilated the ears of his captured uncle Hyrcanus II so that he could never again serve as high priest, since a priest had to be physically unblemished (compare Leviticus 21:17–23).

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

Matthew 26:51 ὠτίον.¶ ear.

At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Here: 'Ear'. In form it is a diminutive ('little ear') of the ordinary word for ear, but in everyday Greek of the period such forms usually just meant 'ear'. It does not by itself prove only the lobe was nicked. Matthew does not say which ear; Luke and John say the right.

Luke · 1

Luke 22:51 ὠτίου ear

But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

John · 1

John 18:26 ὠτίον· ear;

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”

Here: Grammatically a 'little ear' form of the ordinary word for ear (ous), but in everyday Greek of the time such forms often just meant 'ear'. Some take it as the outer ear or earlobe.

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