GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

ἀποκλείω (apokleiō)

apokleiō

to shut

G0608 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The verb apokleio means to shut something fast or close it off completely. In the New Testament, this word is rare, appearing only in Luke 13:25. There, Jesus uses it to describe a door being closed from the inside, preventing entry.

Its meaning combines the sense of finality with physical closure. The sources note that it often corresponds to the Hebrew verb sagar in the Septuagint, which also carries the weight of shutting out or sealing. This usage highlights a decisive action that results in exclusion.

The image is concrete and immediate. It is not merely locking a gate for security but shutting it against those who are outside. The word emphasizes the barrier created by the act of closing, marking a clear distinction between those within and those left out.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word apokleio describes a decisive act of closing a door from the inside, leaving no room for entry afterward. In Luke 13:25, Jesus uses this image to warn against waiting until it is too late to respond to God’s call. The master of the house rises and shuts the door, creating a clear boundary between those who are inside and those left outside.

This verse reminds us that opportunity has its season. It does not mean God’s heart changes, but that our response matters while the door is still open. We are invited to approach Him now, with humility and readiness, rather than assuming there will always be another chance later.

May we take this warning to heart, seeking Christ today with sincere faith, trusting in His mercy and grace while the way remains open for us.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • may have shut1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • ἀποκλείσῃ1×

Key Verses

  • Luke 13:25
    When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

    This verse uses apokleio to show the finality of rejecting Christ’s invitation, emphasizing that delay can lead to irreversible exclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does apokleio mean in the New Testament?

Apokleio means to shut something completely, often implying finality. It appears only once in the New Testament, in Luke 13:25, where Jesus describes a door being shut from the inside.

Why is this word significant in Luke 13:25?

In Luke 13:25, apokleio highlights the seriousness of missing the opportunity to respond to God. The shutting of the door symbolizes a point of no return, urging readers to act while there is still time.

How is apokleio different from other words for 'shut' in Greek?

While other verbs like kleio simply mean to close, apokleio carries a stronger sense of sealing or shutting out completely. It emphasizes the barrier created by the action, not just the act itself.

Where else might this concept appear in Scripture?

Though apokleio is rare, the theme of closing doors appears elsewhere, such as in Revelation 3:7-8, where Jesus holds the key to opening and shutting doors no one can reverse.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Luke 1 verse
Luke 13:25

When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at…