ποῖος
poios
what?
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "ποῖος" (poios) is a pronoun that translates to "what" in English. It is used to inquire about the nature, quality, or identity of something. In the 33 occurrences of this word in the Bible, it is often used to express curiosity, inquiry, or doubt about a particular situation or person. The range of usage for "ποῖος" is quite broad, encompassing various contexts such as asking about the identity of someone (e.g., "Who is this?" or "What person is this?"), inquiring about the nature of a thing (e.g., "What is this?" or "What kind of thing is this?"), or expressing uncertainty about a situation (e.g., "What will happen?" or "What shall we do?"). This word is often used in conjunction with other words to form questions, which highlights its role in seeking information or clarification. The significance of "ποῖος" lies in its ability to convey a sense of inquiry and curiosity, which is a fundamental aspect of human nature. It encourages the reader to engage with the text, ask questions, and seek understanding, making it a vital component of the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
33 total occurrences across the text
He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’
Matthew 21:23When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
Matthew 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 21:27They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 22:36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
Matthew 24:42Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
Matthew 24:43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Mark 11:28and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”
Mark 11:29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 11:33They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Mark 12:28One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”
Luke 5:19Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the middle before Jesus.
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Luke 12:39But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Luke 20:2They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”
Luke 20:8Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Luke 24:19He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;
John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
John 12:33But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
John 18:32that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
John 21:19Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Acts 4:7When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
Acts 4:7When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
Acts 7:49‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest?
Acts 23:34When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
Romans 3:27Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
1 Corinthians 15:35But someone will say, “How are the dead raised?” and, “With what kind of body do they come?”
James 4:14Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
1 Peter 1:11searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.
1 Peter 2:20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.