κλίνω (klinō)
klinō
to bow/lay down
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb klinō describes the physical act of bending, leaning, or inclining the body. In the Gospels, it captures moments of profound human vulnerability and transition. Jesus uses it to describe his own death in John 19:30, where he "bowed his head" and gave up his spirit, marking a deliberate end rather than a passive collapse. The same word appears in Luke 24:5 when the angels ask why the women are seeking the living among the dead, implying they have bowed their faces in confusion or fear.
It also conveys the weariness of earthly life. When Jesus notes that he has no place to "lay his head" in Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58, the word suggests a lack of stable rest, highlighting the transient nature of his ministry. Additionally, it describes the natural progression of time, as when the day begins to "decline" or lean toward evening in Luke 9:12, signaling the need for action before darkness falls.
Etymologically, klinō is a root word that emphasizes a shift from an upright position to one of rest or submission. This physical imagery grounds its theological weight: whether it is the exhaustion of travel, the finality of death, or the approach of night, the word consistently points to a change in state brought about by gravity, fatigue, or circumstance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word klinō describes the simple physical act of bending or leaning. It captures moments when we are tired, vulnerable, or ready for rest. In the Gospels, this word appears in scenes where Jesus feels the weight of human exhaustion and the reality of death. It reminds us that even the Son of Man had no stable place to rest, sharing fully in our daily weariness.
When Jesus klinōs his head at the end of his life, it was not a collapse but a deliberate act of completion. This image offers comfort: our struggles and fatigue are seen by God. Whether we are facing the end of a long day or the challenges of a hard season, this word shows that rest and surrender are part of God’s design. We do not have to carry everything alone.
Ultimately, klinō points to a shift from striving to resting in God’s care. It invites us to lay down our burdens, just as Jesus did, trusting that He holds our lives securely. This gentle image encourages us to find peace in His presence, knowing that our labor is never in vain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- He may lay.2×
- to decline.1×
- put to flight1×
- having bowed1×
- has declined1×
- bowing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κλίνῃ.¶2×
- ἔκλιναν1×
- κέκλικεν1×
- κλίνειν.1×
- κλίνας1×
- κλινουσῶν1×
Key Verses
-
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
This verse uses the word to describe Jesus' deliberate act of surrendering his spirit at death, marking the completion of his mission rather than a passive collapse.
-
Matthew 8:20
Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Here the word highlights Jesus' lack of permanent shelter, emphasizing his identification with human transience and vulnerability during his earthly ministry.
-
Luke 24:5
Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?
The women bowed their faces in terror and confusion, showing how this physical posture reflects deep emotional distress before the resurrection joy.