πληρόω (plēroō)
plēroō
to fulfill
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 88 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb plēroō means to make full or complete, carrying the sense of bringing something to its intended end. In the New Testament it describes both physical filling and the realization of promises. When Jesus says he came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law in Matthew 5:17, he uses a word that implies bringing God’s written will to its full expression and obedience.
Its range extends beyond mere completion to include abundance and satisfaction. The sources note its use for filling nets with fish (Matthew 13:48) or a room with sound (Acts 2:2), as well as believers being filled with joy or the Holy Spirit. This versatility allows it to describe tangible fullness and spiritual vitality alike.
A key theological weight lies in its connection to prophecy. Matthew frequently cites plēroō to show how events in Jesus’ life fulfilled ancient words, such as the call out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15). Translators often render it “fulfill,” but the Greek root suggests a process of filling up what was previously incomplete, ensuring nothing is lacking.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word plēroō carries the sense of bringing something to its intended end, ensuring nothing is lacking. When Jesus speaks of fulfilling the Law in Matthew 5:17, He does not mean merely checking a box. Instead, He brings God’s written will to its full expression and obedience. This offers comfort that God’s promises are never half-finished or abandoned.
We see this same completeness in how believers are filled with joy or the Holy Spirit. It is not about empty rituals but spiritual vitality that overflows into daily life. Whether describing a net full of fish or a heart full of wisdom, the word points to abundance and satisfaction found in God’s design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 88 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may be fulfilled15×
- it may be fulfilled6×
- was fulfilled5×
- may be fulfilled:2×
- has filled2×
- has been fulfilled.2×
- has been fulfilled2×
- filled2×
- completed2×
- you may fulfill.1×
- you may be filled with1×
- you may be filled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πληρωθῇ17×
- ἐπληρώθη7×
- πληρωθῶσιν5×
- ἐπλήρωσεν4×
- ἐπληροῦντο2×
- πληρῶσαι2×
- πληρώσῃ2×
- πληρωθῆτε2×
- πληρωθῆναι2×
- πληρωθῇ·2×
- πληρωθῇ.2×
- πεπλήρωται.2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Jesus uses this term to show He brings the Law to its full expression rather than abolishing it.
-
Luke 4:21
He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus declares that a specific prophecy is now fully realized in His own ministry and presence.
-
Mark 1:15
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
The phrase 'the time is fulfilled' signals that the long-awaited moment for God's Kingdom has arrived.
-
Luke 2:40
The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
This occurrence describes Jesus growing in wisdom and being filled with grace, showing spiritual completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does plēroō mean in the New Testament?
How is this word different from just finishing a task?
Where does it appear most often?
Every Occurrence (88 verses across 17 books)
Matthew 17 verses
Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 2:15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,…
Matthew 2:17Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
Matthew 2:23and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he…
Matthew 3:15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”…
Matthew 4:14that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 5:17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Matthew 8:17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our…
Matthew 12:17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
Matthew 13:35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will…
Matthew 13:48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the…
Matthew 21:4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 23:32Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
Matthew 26:54How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”
Matthew 26:56But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…
Matthew 27:35When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,