The word “Tetelestai” (τετέλεσται) is a Greek word that appears in the Bible in John 19:30 where Jesus is hanging on the cross, saying “It is finished”.
The word tetelestai is in the perfect tense, which means that an action has been completed in the past but continues into the present. It is derived from the verb teleō, which means “to finish”. Tetelestai conveys the idea that Jesus’ work of redemption is complete and nothing needs to be added to it.
In the context of the Bible times, this word was used in three aspects.
- Business context
→ Tetelestai was used to indicate that a literal debt has been paid - Judicial context in court
→ Tetelestai was used when a sentence was fully served - Military context
→ Tetelestai was used when a battle has been won
This means that with Jesus saying Tetelestai on the cross…
- The debt of sin is fully paid
- Judgement for sin has been fully served
- The Spiritial war has been won
Goosebumps! What an amazing God we serve.