Found most often in the final book of the New Testament (Rev. 9:5; 11:10; 12:2; 14:10; 20:10) but also used in Mt. 8:6, 29; 14:24; Mk. 5:7; 6:48; Lk. 8:28; 2 Pet. 2:8, the Greek verb “basanizo” meant “torture” or “examine by torture.”
This term is used to describe the “torment” of sickness (Mt. 8:6) as well as the torture inflicted by demons (Mt.
8:29). In Mk. 6:48 this word describes “harassment” from wind and waves. Righteous Lot was “tormented” by the evil he saw (2 Pet. 2:8). John used this verb to describe labor pains in Rev. 12:2.