κλείω (kleiō)
kleiō
to shut
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kleiō means to shut or close, describing the physical act of securing an opening like a door, gate, or abyss. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from the simple locking of a room to the sealing of the bottomless pit in Revelation 20:3. Its usage is concrete and direct, often emphasizing the finality or security of the closure.
Beyond physical spaces, kleiō carries significant metaphorical weight when applied to abstract concepts. It describes closing the heavens to withhold rain, as noted in Luke 4:25, or shutting up compassion so that pity becomes inaccessible, a charge leveled against those who ignore the needy in 1 John 3:17. This extension shows how the physical act of locking something away translates into spiritual or moral obstruction.
The word also appears in discussions about access to divine realms. Jesus warns against shutting the kingdom of heaven before people (Matthew 23:14), while Revelation depicts gates that remain open because they are never shut (Revelation 21:25). These instances highlight kleiō’s role in defining boundaries between the sacred and the common, or the included and the excluded.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we close a door, we create a boundary between the noise of the world and the quiet of our own hearts. Jesus invites us to do exactly this in Matthew 6:6, suggesting that prayer is not about performance but about finding a secure place where we can be honest with God. This physical act mirrors a spiritual reality: shutting out distractions allows us to focus entirely on the Father who sees in secret.
Yet this word also carries a warning about how we treat others. In 1 John 3:17, closing one’s heart against a neighbor is presented as incompatible with God’s love. The same power that secures our private prayer life should not become a barrier to compassion. We are called to keep our hearts open to those in need, reflecting the character of Christ.
Ultimately, the authority to shut and open belongs to God alone. Revelation 3:7 describes Him as the one who opens doors no human can close and shuts them no human can reopen. This offers deep comfort; our security does not rest on our ability to control circumstances, but on His faithful governance over all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- shut4×
- to shut2×
- you shut up1×
- will shut1×
- were shut1×
- was shut up1×
- was shut1×
- shutting1×
- may be shut1×
- he may close up1×
- having shut1×
- has been shut,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκλείσθη2×
- κλεῖσαι2×
- κεκλεισμένων2×
- ἔκλεισεν1×
- ἐκλείσθησαν1×
- κέκλεισται,1×
- κλείων1×
- κλείσῃ1×
- κλείσει1×
- κλείσας1×
- κλείετε1×
- κλεισθῶσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 6:6
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
This verse highlights the word's use for creating a private space for intimate communication with God, emphasizing security and focus.
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Revelation of John 3:7
“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
This passage attributes ultimate authority over access and exclusion to God, who opens and shuts with finality that no human can reverse.
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John 20:19
When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
The locked doors here emphasize the disciples' fear, yet Jesus’ presence shows that physical barriers cannot contain His peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kleiō mean in the New Testament?
How is kleiō different from other words for close?
Why is this word significant in Revelation?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 3 verses
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret;…
Matthew 23:13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
Matthew 25:10While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and…