Word Study for G4931 (συντελέω)

synteléō /soon-tel-eh'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom σύν and τελέω

Meaningto complete entirely; generally, to execute (literally or figuratively)

KJV usageend, finish, fulfil, make.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of synteléō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word synteléō, represented by G4931, means to complete entirely or to execute. Derived from σύν and τελέω, it conveys the idea of bringing something to a full and final conclusion, whether literally or figuratively. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses, often marking the conclusion of significant periods, events, or divine declarations.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4931 is used to signify definitive endings and fulfillments. It marks the conclusion of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, noting that after forty days, "when they were ended, he afterward hungered" Luke 4:2 and that the devil "had ended all the temptation" Luke 4:13. It is also used to describe the completion of Jesus' teachings, where the people were astonished after He "had ended these sayings" Matthew 7:28. The word further carries prophetic weight, used in a question about when end-time events "shall be fulfilled" Mark 13:4 and in God's promise that "I will make a new covenant" Hebrews 8:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the finality and nature of the events being completed:

G3195 méllō: This word means to intend or be about to do or suffer something. It often appears with G4931 to describe an impending fulfillment, as in the question of when certain things "shall be fulfilled" Mark 13:4.
G3985 peirázō: Meaning to test, scrutinize, or entice, this term is directly linked to G4931 in the narrative of Christ's temptation. The period of being tempted G3985 is brought to a close when the days "were ended" G4931 Luke 4:2.
G4932 syntémnō: Defined as contracting by cutting or doing something concisely, this word works in conjunction with G4931 to emphasize speed and finality. In Romans 9:28, the Lord will finish G4931 the work and cut it short G4932.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4931 is significant, as it often punctuates key moments in God's redemptive plan.

Covenantal Completion: Its use in Hebrews 8:8 is central, where God declares He will make (complete) a new covenant. This points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the inauguration of a new relationship between God and His people.
Prophetic Fulfillment: The word is used to frame questions and statements about eschatology. It appears when the disciples ask about the fulfillment of end-time prophecies Mark 13:4 and when Paul speaks of the Lord finishing his work upon the earth Romans 9:28.
Christ's Ministry Milestones: G4931 is used to mark the conclusion of foundational events in Jesus' life, such as the end of his temptation Luke 4:13 and the end of his sayings Matthew 7:28, signifying the completion of one stage and the beginning of another.

Summary

In summary, G4931 is more than a simple word for "end." It signifies the absolute and purposeful completion of an action or a divinely appointed timeline. From the fulfillment of the new covenant to the conclusion of Christ's temptation and the finality of God's work on earth, synteléō emphasizes that key events in scripture do not merely stop, but are brought to their intended, finished state.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Passive Infinitive 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Genitive Plural Feminine 1×
Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke (2 verses); never once in the other 21.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Acts

Romans

Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.