πόθεν
pothen
whence
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word πόθεν (pothen) is a pronoun that translates to "whence" or "from what place." It serves as an interrogative adverb, asking questions about origins or sources. The word πόθεν is used 29 times in the New Testament. Its occurrences span various contexts, including questions about Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:42, John 7:27), the location of Jesus' parents (John 6:42), and the origin of his teachings (John 7:14). This versatility in usage suggests that πόθεν plays a significant role in exploring the identities, intentions, and backgrounds of individuals and circumstances in Scripture. In general usage, πόθεν invites inquiry and sparks curiosity about an object, event, or person's provenance. By asking "whence," people seek to understand the context, motivations, and authenticity of something. As a result, πόθεν emerges as a bridge between past and present, uniting historical events with contemporary situations.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
29 total occurrences across the text
The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’
Matthew 13:54Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works?
Matthew 13:56Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”
Matthew 15:33The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Mark 6:2When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
Mark 8:4His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?”
Mark 12:37Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.
Luke 1:43Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luke 13:25When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Luke 13:27He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’
John 7:27However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”
John 7:27However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”
Luke 20:7They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
John 1:48Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
John 2:9When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom
John 3:8The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 4:11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water?
John 6:5Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?”
John 7:28Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don’t know.
John 8:14Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.
John 8:14Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going.
John 9:29We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.”
John 9:30The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
John 19:9He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
James 4:1Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
James 4:1Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members?
Revelation 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
Revelation 7:13One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?”