← Back to Lexicon
G4931 · Greek · New Testament
συντελέω
sunteleo
Verb
to complete, finish, bring to an end, fulfill

Definition

Sunteleo (συντελέω) means to bring fully to completion, to finish, or to fulfill entirely. The compound syn (together, fully) + teleo (to complete/achieve) adds intensity: not just ending but bringing everything to its full purpose. It appears in Jesus' temptation (Luke 4:2 — when the forty days were 'ended'), in the new covenant prophecy (Hebrews 8:8, quoting Jeremiah), and in Mark's summary of Jesus' teaching.

Usage & Theological Significance

Sunteleo in Hebrews 8:8 is pivotal: 'The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant' — the same passage Jeremiah promised. The new covenant is God's great sunteleo — the full completion and fulfillment of what the old covenant anticipated. When Jesus says 'It is finished' (John 19:30, tetelestai), it shares the same root — the full completion of the Father's redemptive purpose.

Key Bible Verses

Hebrews 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said: 'The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant' — completing [sunteleo] what was promised.
Luke 4:2 Where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end [sunteleo] of them he was hungry.
Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished [sunteleo] all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Romans 9:28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality [sunteleo].
Mark 13:4 Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?

Word Study

The temptation of Jesus 'ended' (sunteleo, Luke 4:13) — and so did the temptation of the first Adam in Eden. But the outcomes were opposite: Adam yielded; Jesus prevailed. The full completion of evil's assault on the second Adam came to an end, and Jesus emerged victorious. Every temptation has a sunteleo — an ending. Paul reminds us: 'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind' (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️