The Greek verb kopto means to cut, to beat (the breast), or to mourn intensely. The reflexive form (koptomai) means to beat oneself in grief — the vivid physical expression of lamentation that was common in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. In the New Testament it describes intense grief and mourning.
The most theologically significant use of kopto is in Revelation 1:7: 'every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn (kopso) because of him.' This is a citation of Zechariah 12:10, where Israel mourns for the one they have pierced with the mourning of a firstborn son. In the eschatological context of Revelation, this mourning is either penitential grief leading to salvation or anguished recognition of judgment. The same word appears in Luke 8:52 at Jairus' house — the professional mourners beating themselves for the dead girl. Jesus' response ('stop weeping; she is not dead') silences this premature mourning with resurrection reality.