ἀποκτείνω

I put to death, kill

Definition

ἀποκτείνω primarily means to put to death or kill, often referring to the act of taking a life, whether through execution, murder, or judicial action. In a literal sense, it describes the killing of people, as when Herod wanted to kill John the Baptist (Matthew 14:5) or when Jesus foretells His own death (Matthew 16:21). Figuratively, it can mean to abolish or destroy, as in the sense of putting an end to something, though this usage is less common in the New Testament. The word consistently conveys a deliberate, forceful termination of life.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears 71 times in the New Testament, most frequently in the Gospels and Acts, where it often describes the killing of prophets, Jesus, or early Christians. It is used in narratives of conflict, such as the parable of the wicked tenants who kill the son (Matthew 21:39), and in teachings about persecution, like Jesus' warning not to fear those who kill the body (Matthew 10:28). The usage underscores themes of opposition to God's messengers and the reality of martyrdom.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix ἀπό (apo), meaning 'away' or 'from,' and the root κτείνω (kteinō), an older verb meaning 'to kill.' The compound emphasizes a completed action of killing, often with a sense of removal or finality. Cognates include ἀποκτεινύω (apokteinýō), a variant form. The prefix intensifies the root, highlighting the decisive nature of the act.

Semantic Range

ἀποκτείνω is theologically significant as it frequently describes the death of Jesus, central to Christian atonement theology (e.g., Matthew 17:23). It also appears in contexts of persecution, illustrating the cost of discipleship and the hostility faced by God's people. Understanding this Greek term enriches Bible reading by clarifying the intentionality behind killings in biblical narratives, connecting them to broader themes of sin, sacrifice, and redemption.

In the first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish contexts, killing could involve judicial execution (e.g., by religious or Roman authorities), murder, or lethal violence. The word's usage in parables and prophecies often reflects the cultural reality of violence against prophets and righteous individuals, a motif recognized in Jewish tradition. Unlike some modern euphemisms, ἀποκτείνω directly denotes the act of killing, without softening its brutality.

θανάτω (thanatō, G2289) — to put to death, often with a legal or formal connotation; φονεύω (phoneuō, G5407) — to murder, emphasizing unlawful killing; ἀναιρέω (anaireō, G337) — to take away, destroy, or kill, sometimes in a broader sense of removal.

Word Details

Scripture References