πότε
pote
when?
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word πότε (pote) can be translated to English as "when?" It is a question word used to inquire about the timing or circumstances of a specific event or situation. With 19 occurrences in the Bible, πότε appears in various contexts, including questions about the time of Jesus' return (Matthew 24:42, Mark 13:32), the timing of a future event (John 8:58), and the duration of a present situation (John 6:26). The significance of πότε lies in its ability to highlight uncertainty or ambiguity surrounding a particular event or situation. By asking "when?", the speaker is not just inquiring about the timing, but also seeking clarification on the nature or circumstances of the event. This word emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the unknown, as seen in Jesus' advice to stay alert and watch for his return (Matthew 24:44, Luke 12:38). Overall, πήτε serves as a simple but powerful question word that encourages scrutiny and attention to the timing and circumstances of life's events. Its widespread use in the Bible underscores the importance of being mindful of the present moment and being prepared for whatever the future may hold.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
19 total occurrences across the text
Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
Matthew 17:17Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
Matthew 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 25:37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
Matthew 25:38When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
Matthew 25:39When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
Matthew 25:44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
Mark 9:19He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
Mark 9:19He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
Mark 13:4“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”
Mark 13:33Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
Mark 13:35Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning;
Luke 9:41Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
Luke 12:36Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the wedding feast; that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.
Luke 17:20Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation;
Luke 21:7They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”
John 6:25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
John 10:24The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Revelation 6:10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”