κατακλείω (katakleiō)
katakleiō
to lock up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katakleiō means to shut someone in or confine them within a closed space. It combines the intensifying prefix kata with kleiō, the common word for locking or shutting. In the New Testament, this action is almost always directed at people who are placed under guard or imprisonment.
Scripture uses it to describe specific historical moments of detention. John the Baptist was locked up by Herod (Luke 3:20), and Paul later recalled how he had imprisoned many believers in Jerusalem before his conversion (Acts 26:10). The word emphasizes the physical reality of being shut away, highlighting the loss of freedom for those confined.
Translators typically render this term as "put in prison" or "shut up." It carries a straightforward, legal weight rather than a metaphorical one. The focus remains on the act of confinement itself, marking a period where the individual is held against their will by authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katakleiō describes the physical act of locking someone away, stripping a person of their freedom and placing them under guard. In Scripture, this term appears in moments where God’s messengers face opposition from earthly authorities. It reminds us that confinement is a real threat, yet it does not limit God’s ability to work through His people.
When John the Baptist was shut up by Herod, or when Paul recalled imprisoning believers before his conversion, these events highlight the cost of faithfulness. The word carries legal weight, marking a period where individuals are held against their will. Yet, even in chains, the message of God continues to spread.
This reality encourages us that our circumstances do not define our witness. Whether free or confined, we serve a Lord who uses every situation for His purposes. Your faithfulness matters, regardless of your physical location or current struggles.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- locked up1×
- he locked up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατέκλεισεν1×
- κατέκλεισα1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:20
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
This verse shows Herod using his authority to physically confine John the Baptist, illustrating how political power can attempt to silence prophetic voices.
-
Acts 26:10
I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
Paul recalls his past persecution of Christians, noting that he had the legal authority to lock many believers in prison before his transformation.