Exupnizo combines ex (out of) and hupnos (sleep). It appears only in John 11:11, where Jesus says, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him [exupniso].' The disciples misunderstand, thinking He means natural sleep. Jesus then speaks plainly: 'Lazarus has died.' The word chosen — to awaken from sleep — reveals Jesus's perspective on death: it is sleep, because He is the resurrection.
The exupnizo of John 11 is one of the most theologically loaded words in the Gospels. To say 'I will awaken him' about a dead man is to claim resurrection authority. Jesus does not say 'I will revive him' or 'I will raise him' — He says 'I will wake him up,' as if death were merely a nap for the one who holds the keys of death and Hades. Paul picks up this language in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16: those who have 'fallen asleep' in Jesus will be raised when He comes. Death for the believer is not extinguishment — it is sleep awaiting the great awakening.