plēroō

What it means

To fill up or complete. Matthew uses it again and again for Scripture reaching its full meaning in Jesus ("this was to fulfill"). Sometimes that's a prediction coming true; sometimes it's a pattern in Israel's story repeated in his, as with "Out of Egypt I called my son" (2:15).

Range of meaning

• FillMake something full, like a net (13:48).
• CompleteFinish or bring to an end.
• Bring to full meaningShow what a Scripture was pointing toward.

In Matthew

• Chapter 1

  The first of Matthew's "this was to fulfill" sayings (1:22).

• Chapter 2

  Three more fulfillment sayings: Egypt, Ramah, and Nazareth (2:15, 2:17, 2:23).

• Chapter 4

  The move to Capernaum fulfills Isaiah (4:14).

• Chapter 5

  "Not to abolish, but to fulfill" (5:17).

• Chapter 8

  The healings fulfill Isaiah: "He took our weaknesses" (8:17).

• Chapter 12

  The quiet healings fulfill Isaiah's servant song (12:17).