δεῦτε (deute)
deute
come
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word deute is a simple but urgent invitation meaning "come" or "come here." It functions as an imperative, urging immediate action or approach. In the New Testament, it appears thirteen times, primarily in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and occasionally in John and Revelation.
Its force comes from its nature as a direct call. Jesus uses it to summon disciples, as when He tells fishermen to follow Him (Matthew 4:19), or to invite the weary to rest (Matthew 11:28). It is not merely a suggestion but a command that demands a response. The sources note it often precedes prepositions like "after" or "to," specifying the direction of the movement.
Translators render it as "come" or "come on," capturing its immediacy. It lacks the nuance of complex verbs; its power lies in its brevity and directness. Whether calling individuals to discipleship or crowds to a feast, deute serves as a clear, unambiguous summons to move toward the speaker.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word deute is a simple invitation: come here. It appears thirteen times in the New Testament, mostly in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to call people directly. He does not send a letter or wait for them to decide on their own. He speaks and expects a response.
This word shows how close God wants to be with us. In Matthew 11:28, He invites those who are tired to come to Him for rest. In John 4:29, the Samaritan woman uses it to share what she has learned about Jesus. It is not a suggestion but a clear call to move toward Him.
When you feel far from God or overwhelmed by life, remember this invitation. You do not need to earn your way to Him. He calls you by name. Come as you are, and find peace in His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Come8×
- come3×
- come,1×
- Come,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δεῦτε10×
- δεῦτε,2×
- Δεῦτε1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus uses this urgent invitation to offer rest to those who are weary and burdened.
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John 4:29
“Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done. Can this be the Christ?”
The Samaritan woman uses it to invite others to see the man who revealed her life, showing how personal encounters with Jesus lead to sharing.
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Matthew 4:19
He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”
Jesus calls fishermen to follow Him immediately, demonstrating that this word initiates discipleship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does δεῦτε (deute) mean?
How is δεῦτε different from other words for 'come'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 6 verses
He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”
Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 21:38But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his…
Matthew 22:4Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle…
Matthew 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from…
Matthew 28:6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.