Lexical Summary teleutaó: To end, to finish, to die Original Word: τελευτάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance decease, die. From a presumed derivative of teleo; to finish life (by implication, of bios), i.e. Expire (demise) -- be dead, decease, die. see GREEK teleo see GREEK bios HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5053 teleutáō (from 5054 /teleutḗ, "a finishing") – properly, bring to consummation (the end-goal). 5053 (teleutáō) focuses on reaching the necessary end-point. Figuratively, 5053 /teleutáō ("come to closure") means reaching one's everlasting destiny (good or bad). [This is the same meaning 5053 (teleutáō) has in classical Greek.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom teleuté Definition to complete, to come to an end, hence to die NASB Translation deceased (1), die (4), died (5), dying (1), put (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5053: τελευτάωτελευτάω, τελεύτω; 1 aorist ἐτελεύτησα; perfect participle τετελευτηκώς (John 11:39 L T Tr WH); (τελευτή; from Homer down; 1. transitive, to finish; to bring to an end or close: τόν βίον, to finish life, to die, often from Aesehyl. and Herodotus down. 2. intransitive (cf. Buttmann, § 130, 4) to have an end or close, come to an end; hence, to die, very often so from Aeschylus and Herodotus down (the Sept. for מוּת), and always in the N. T.: Matthew 2:19; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 22:25; Mark 9:41, 46 ((these two vss. T WH omit; Tr brackets)),48; Luke 7:2; John 11:39 L T Tr WH; Acts 2:29; Acts 7:15; Hebrews 11:22; θανάτῳ τελευτάτω (in imitation of the Hebrew יוּמָת מות, Exodus 21:12, 15-17,etc.) (A. V. let him die the death i. e.) let him surely die (Winers Grammar, 339 (319); Buttmann, § 133, 22), Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10. Greek 5053 depicts the conclusion of an earthly course. In Scripture it traces the full spectrum of physical death—from ordinary biography (Herod, David, Jacob) to capital punishment, impending death, and everlasting consequence—while pointing to God’s sovereignty over life, judgment, and resurrection. Occurrences and Thematic Groupings 1. Historical notice of a ruler’s death: Matthew 2:19. Death Acknowledged, Resurrection Anticipated Acts 2:29 records Peter’s realism: “the patriarch David died and was buried.” Yet the very sermon that begins with David’s tomb culminates in declaring the empty tomb of Jesus (Acts 2:31-32). Teleutao underscores death’s certainty so that the resurrection’s certainty might shine brighter. Jesus’ Authority over Death When the synagogue ruler pleads, “My daughter has just died, but come and place Your hand on her, and she will live” (Matthew 9:18), death is presented as a finished event beyond human reversal. Christ’s touch overturns that verdict, revealing Him as Lord of both ends and new beginnings (see also John 11:39-44). Impending Death and a Soldier’s Faith Luke 7:2 portrays a centurion’s servant “about to die.” The Greek participle carries the sense of an unavoidable end already in motion. The centurion trusts that a word from Jesus is sufficient, and the narrative validates faith that looks beyond visible decline to divine command. Capital Punishment and Covenant Seriousness In Matthew 15:4 and Mark 7:10 Jesus quotes Moses: “He who curses his father or mother must be put to death.” The verb intensifies the uncompromising demand of the fifth commandment. By upholding the Law’s weight, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of traditions that nullify it, driving listeners to the grace He alone supplies. Unending Death in Eschatological Warning Mark 9 repeats the solemn refrain, “where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched” (Mark 9:48). Here the verb is in the present tense, highlighting an eternal state—death without cessation. The picture stands as a sober motivation to remove every stumbling-block rather than enter “the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43). Patriarchs, Promises, and Faith at the Finish Line Hebrews 11:22 observes, “By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.” Teleutao marks the closing scene of Joseph’s life, but the focus is forward, toward a yet-future redemption. Faith sees beyond death to fulfillment of God’s covenant. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Preaching should articulate both the finality of physical death and the greater finality of eternal destiny, letting the cross and resurrection supply hope. Conclusion Teleutao threads through Scripture as a witness to life’s closure, legal consequence, imminent peril, and everlasting judgment. Each occurrence ultimately serves a redemptive purpose: directing attention to the One who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 2:19 V-APA-GMSGRK: Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ NAS: But when Herod died, behold, an angel KJV: when Herod was dead, behold, INT: having died moreover Matthew 9:18 V-AIA-3S Matthew 15:4 V-PMA-3S Matthew 22:25 V-AIA-3S Mark 7:10 V-PMA-3S Mark 9:44 V-PIA-3S Mark 9:46 V-PIA-3S Mark 9:48 V-PIA-3S Luke 7:2 V-PNA John 11:39 V-RPA-GMS Acts 2:29 V-AIA-3S Acts 7:15 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 11:22 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 5053 |
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