ἀποθνήσκω (apothnēskō)
apothnēskō
to die
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 100 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apothnēskō simply means to die, covering the full spectrum from natural passing to violent execution. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from a girl’s death in Mark 5:35 to Jesus’ prediction of his own crucifixion in John 12:33. The word is versatile enough to describe physical death, spiritual separation from God, or even the metaphorical dying of old habits in Colossians 2:20.
Its structure combines apo ("away") with thnēskō ("to die"), suggesting a departure or completion. This prefix gives it a definitive force often missing in other Greek words for death. Paul uses this sense of finality when he writes that believers have "died" to sin in Romans 6:2, marking a decisive break from their past rather than an ongoing struggle.
Translators usually render apothnēskō as "die," but the word carries theological weight beyond mere cessation of life. It frequently appears with prepositions like hyper ("for") to describe Christ’s substitutionary death in 1 Peter 3:18, or en ("in") to describe universal human mortality in 1 Corinthians 15:22. The term anchors Christian hope in the reality that physical death is not the end, but a transition into eternal life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word apothnēskō simply means to die, yet it carries a sense of finality that helps us understand our own mortality. It covers everything from natural passing to violent execution, reminding us that death is a real and definitive part of human experience. When Jesus uses this term, He does not shy away from its gravity, but rather faces it with authority and purpose.
In the New Testament, this word often points to something deeper than physical cessation. For instance, Paul writes in Romans 6:2 that believers have 'died' to sin, marking a decisive break from their past lives. This suggests that apothnēskō can describe spiritual transitions as well as bodily ones. It anchors our hope in the reality that death is not the end, but a transition into eternal life with God.
When we encounter this word in Scripture, we are invited to trust in Christ’s victory over death. Whether facing personal loss or reflecting on our own journey, we can find comfort in the promise that those who believe in Him will live forever. This assurance transforms how we view endings, seeing them as gateways to new beginnings in God’s presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 100 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- died12×
- to die9×
- died.7×
- having died6×
- dying6×
- to die;5×
- shall die5×
- to die.3×
- to die,3×
- died;3×
- you will die2×
- we shall die,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπέθανεν17×
- ἀπέθανεν.9×
- ἀποθανεῖν9×
- ἀποθάνῃ8×
- ἀποθανεῖν·4×
- ἀπέθανον·3×
- ἀπέθανον.3×
- ἀπέθανον3×
- ἀπέθανεν·3×
- ἀποθνῄσκοντες3×
- ἀποθνῄσκει·3×
- ἀποθανὼν3×
Frequently Asked Questions
What does apothnēskō mean in the Bible?
How is apothnēskō different from other Greek words for death?
Where does apothnēskō appear in the New Testament?
Why is apothnēskō important for Christian hope?
Every Occurrence (100 verses across 15 books)
Matthew 5 verses
He said to them, “Go!” They came out and went into the herd of pigs; and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the…
Matthew 9:24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him.
Matthew 22:24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up…
Matthew 22:27After them all, the woman died.
Matthew 26:35Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.