Tag Archives: meaning of basanistes

The Greek word “basanistes”

Found just once in the New Testament (Mt. 18:34), the Greek noun “basanistes” meant “jailer,” “tormentor,” “torturer.” Jesus spoke about a debtor being delivered to a “tormentor.”

In the first century the Jews and Romans did not have “tormentors.” They did, however, have jailers who might torture their prisoners. In the case described by Jesus, a jailer might torture a debtor about his financial assets.