τελευτάω (teleutaō)
teleutaō
to decease
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb teleutaō means to bring something to its final conclusion or to cease existing. In the New Testament, it is used almost exclusively to describe the end of human life, functioning as a formal term for death. The sources note that it often translates the Hebrew word mut, appearing in contexts where characters face the reality of mortality, such as when Jesus learns of Jairus’s daughter has died (Mark 5:39) or when Stephen recounts his ancestors’ deaths (Acts 7:15).
Its root sense involves completion rather than merely stopping. To teleutaō is to finish a course or fulfill a span of time, which gives the word a tone of finality and resolution. This nuance appears in Matthew 27:50, where Jesus “gave up the ghost” using a related form, emphasizing that His death was the completion of His earthly mission. Translators typically render it simply as "died," though the Greek carries the weight of a life brought to its intended close.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word teleutaō offers a gentle perspective on mortality, framing death not as a sudden stop or a tragic failure, but as the natural conclusion of a life’s course. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it reminds us that our time here is measured and purposeful. It carries the sense of finishing a task or completing a span of days, which can bring a quiet comfort to those facing the loss of loved ones.
Consider the moment Jesus speaks with Martha about her brother Lazarus. The text notes he had teleutaō-ed, marking the end of his earthly journey. Yet this finality does not erase hope. By viewing death through this lens of completion, we see that every life has a distinct shape and purpose. This understanding helps us honor the past while looking forward to the promises God holds for those who have gone before us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dies3×
- should end.’2×
- to die1×
- he died1×
- having deceased1×
- has died;1×
- dying1×
- died,1×
- died1×
- When was dying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τελευτᾷ3×
- ἐτελεύτησεν2×
- τελευτάτω.2×
- ἐτελεύτησεν·1×
- ἐτελεύτησεν,1×
- τετελευτηκότος1×
- τελευτῶν1×
- τελευτᾶν1×
- Τελευτήσαντος1×
Key Verses
-
John 11:39
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
This verse uses the word to mark the four-day reality of Lazarus's death, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate power over finality.
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Acts 2:29
“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Peter references David’s death here to establish a historical baseline before arguing that the Messiah would not remain in the grave.
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Hebrews 11:22
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
This passage links Joseph’s impending death to his faithful instructions, showing how the end of life can be an act of enduring trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does teleutaō mean in the New Testament?
How is this word different from other Greek words for death?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 4 verses
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…
Matthew 15:4For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to…
Matthew 22:25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.