Greek · G2808

κλείω

To close (literally or figuratively)

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κλείω G2808
Pronunciation kleíō

What does κλείω (kleíō) mean in the Bible?

G2808 names shutting or closing, and in John 20 it appears in the locked-door scenes after the resurrection. The disciples are together with the doors locked for fear, yet Jesus comes and stands among them with peace.

Reader summary

Full entry for κλείω (G2808) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does κλείω (kleíō) mean in the Bible?

G2808 names shutting or closing, and in John 20 it appears in the locked-door scenes after the resurrection. The disciples are together with the doors locked for fear, yet Jesus comes and stands among them with peace.

How does the BSB render G2808?

The BSB source-word alignment has 16 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include locked (3), shut (3), was shut (2), can shut (1), shut [it] (1).

Where does κλείω (kleíō) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 6:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Revelation (6), Matthew (3), Acts (2), John (2).

What This Word Actually Means

G2808 names shutting or closing, and in John 20 it appears in the locked-door scenes after the resurrection. The disciples are together with the doors locked for fear, yet Jesus comes and stands among them with peace. Eight days later the doors are locked again, and Jesus again meets His disciples, now addressing Thomas's unbelief. The word helps teachers hold the scene's tension: real fear, real enclosure, and the real presence of the risen Lord.

It should not be used to speculate beyond the text about mechanics of the resurrection body. John's emphasis is that locked doors do not prevent Jesus from bringing peace, mission, and confession to His gathered people.

Sources