Lexical Summary médeis, médemia, méden: No one, none, nothing Original Word: μηδείς, μηδεμία, μηδέν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance no one, nothingIncluding the irregular feminine medemia may-dem-ee'-ah, and the neuter meden (may-den') from me and heis; not even one (man, woman, thing) -- any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay. see GREEK me see GREEK heis HELPS Word-studies 3367 mēdeís(from 3361 /mḗ, "not a possibility" and 1520 /heís, "one") – properly, "no one, nothing" – literally, "not even one." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom méde and heis Definition no one, nothing NASB Translation all (1), any (7), anyone (8), anything (2), least (1), never (1), no (9), no at all (1), no basis (1), no man (1), no one (26), no way (1), nothing (22), without (4), without...any (1), without any (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3367: μηδείςμηδείς, μηδεμία, μηδέν (and μηθέν, Acts 27:33 L T Tr WH — a form not infrequent from Aristotle onward (found as early as Buttmann, C. 378, cf. Meisterhans, Gr. d. Attic Inschr., p. 73); cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 181f; Winers Grammar, § 5, 1 d. 11; (Buttmann, 28 (25)); Kühner, § 187, 1 vol. 1:487f), (from μηδέ and εἷς) (fr. Homer down); it is used either in connection with a noun, no, none, or absolutely, no one, not one, no man, neuter nothing, and in the same constructions as μή; accordingly a. with an imperative: μηδείς being the person to whom something is forbidden, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 21; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 6:17; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:15; James 1:13; 1 John 3:7; neuter μηδέν, namely, ἔστω (A. V. have thou nothing to do with etc.), Matthew 27:19; μηδείς in the dative or the accusative depending on the imperative, Romans 13:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; μηδέν (accusative), Luke 3:13; Luke 9:3; μηδέν φοβοῦ, Revelation 2:10 (here L Tr WH text μή). b. μηδείς with the optative: once in the N. T., Mark 11:14 (where Rec. οὐδείς) (cf. Winers Grammar, 476 (443)). c. with the 2 person of the aorist subjunctive, the μηδείς depending on the verb; as, μηδενί εἴπῃς, Matthew 8:4; Matthew 17:9; accusative, Luke 3:14; Luke 10:4; μηδέν (accusative), Acts 16:28; κατά μηδένα τρόπον, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. d. with the particles ἵνα and ὅπως (see μή, I. 3): with ἵνα, Matthew 16:20; Mark 5:43; Mark 6:8; Mark 7:36 9:9: Titus 3:13; Revelation 3:11; with ὅπως, Acts 8:24. e. with an infinitive; α. with one that depends on another verb: — as on παραγγέλλω, Luke 8:56; Luke 9:21; Acts 23:22; δεινυμι, Acts 10:28; διατάσσομαι, Acts 24:23; ἀναθεματίζω ἐμαυτόν, Acts 23:14; κρίνω (accusative with an infinitive), Acts 21:25 Rec.; εὔχομαι, 2 Corinthians 13:7; βούλομαι (accusative with an infinitive), 1 Timothy 5:14; ὑπομιμνῄσκω τινα, Titus 3:2, etc.; παρακαλῶ τινα followed by τό μή with the accusative and infinitive, 1 Thessalonians 3:3 L (stereotype edition) T Tr WH. β. with an infinitive depending on διά τό: Acts 28:18; Hebrews 10:2. f. with a participle (see μή, I. 5); in the dative, Acts 11:19; Romans 12:17; accusative μηδένα, John 8:10; Acts 9:7; μηδέν, Acts 4:21; Acts 27:33; 1 Corinthians 10:25, 27; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 2:8; James 1:6; 3 John 1:7; μηδεμίαν προσκοπήν, 2 Corinthians 6:3; μηδεμίαν πτόησιν, 1 Peter 3:6; μηδεμίαν αἰτίαν, Acts 28:18; ἀναβολήν μηδεμίαν, Acts 25:17. g. noteworthy are — μηδείς with a genitive, Acts 4:17; Acts 24:23; μηδέν namely, τούτων, Revelation 2:10 (R G T WH marginal reading); ἐς μηδενί, in nothing, 1 Corinthians 1:7 (but χαρίσματι is expressed here); 2 Cor. ( STRONGS NT 3367: μηθένμηθέν, see μηδείς. Strong’s Greek 3367 gathers a family of related forms—μηδείς, μηδένα, μηδέν, μηδενί, μηδενός, μηδεμία, etc.—all expressing “no one,” “nothing,” or “none at all.” Across ninety-one New Testament occurrences the word serves as a theological signpost that guards holiness, humility, and gospel clarity by excluding every illegitimate person, practice, or presumption. Grammatical Range and Nuance 1. Masculine/Feminine (μηδείς, μηδένα) – personal “no one.” The forms flex seamlessly between prohibitions (“tell no one”), denials (“having found nothing”), and exhortations (“let no one deceive you”). Theological Themes 1. Absolute Holiness of God By erasing every human contribution or alternative, μηδείς reinforces the Creator–creature divide. Romans 13:8 commands, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another,” directing all moral debt to God-ordained love alone. 2. Exclusive Sufficiency of Christ Colossians 2:18 warns, “Let no one disqualify you,” shielding believers from mystical or ascetic intrusions that eclipse the finished work of Christ (Colossians 2:10). 3. Humble Self-Assessment Galatians 6:3: “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” The word strips away pretension, aligning believers with the grace that “not of ourselves” (Ephesians 2:8–9). 4. Pastoral Guardianship Titus 2:15: “Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Church leaders wield spiritual authority while remaining answerable to God alone. 5. Protection from Deception Ephesians 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience.” The term becomes a shield against doctrinal erosion. 6. Assurance amid Eschatology Revelation 3:11: “Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” In eschatological warning, the negation guarantees the certainty of God’s promise provided believers persevere. Prohibitive and Preventive Usage a. Messianic Secrecy Jesus repeatedly commands silence after miracles: The prohibition delays public acclaim until the appointed hour of the cross. b. Restriction of Knowledge in Apostolic Mission c. Legal Innocence Declarations Maintaining Humility and Dependence 1. Ministerial Modesty 1 Corinthians 3:18: “Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool so that he may become wise.” 2. Generous Compassion Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” 3. Anxiety Released through Prayer Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Church Order and Discipline • 2 Corinthians 6:3: “We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” Freedom of Conscience Paul employs μηδέν to affirm liberty: 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 permits eating “anything sold in the meat market… ask no questions,” yet balances freedom with love (10:24). Mission and Evangelism Luke 10:4 instructs the Seventy, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals,” teaching dependence on divine provision and urgency in outreach. Pastoral Warnings Against Deception Colossians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 3:7 echo, “Let no one deceive you,” anchoring discernment in apostolic doctrine. Eschatological Assurances Revelation 2:10 exhorts, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer,” while Revelation 3:11 promises preservation of reward, “so that no one will take your crown.” Intertextual Echoes The term reflects Old Testament negations such as “no one is righteous” (Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 3:10) and the Shema’s exclusive monotheism. Within Septuagint usage, μηδείς frequently translates Hebrew אַל־, serving to intensify divine commands. Historical Reception Early fathers appealed to the word’s absoluteness: Reformers employed Romans 13:8 to argue against indulgence debt, asserting spiritual liberty. Doctrinal Implications 1. Sola Gratia – The exclusion of human merit. Illustrative Survey of Key Passages Matthew 27:19 – Pilate’s wife finds “nothing” against Jesus, foreshadowing substitutionary innocence. Mark 6:8 – Apostolic reliance: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff.” Acts 19:36 – Civic reasoning in Ephesus: “Seeing that these things are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.” James 1:4 – “Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” 3 John 1:7 – Missionaries “accept nothing from the Gentiles,” highlighting support within the body. Practical Applications for Ministry • Guard pulpit purity—permit “no one” to derail gospel preaching. Conclusion Strong’s 3367 saturates the New Testament with a divine zero that cancels every rival confidence. Whether prohibiting secrecy, exposing pride, or assuring eternal security, the Spirit wields this single negation to magnify the all-sufficiency of God in Christ. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 8:4 Adj-DMSGRK: Ἰησοῦς Ὅρα μηδενὶ εἴπῃς ἀλλὰ NAS: that you tell no one; but go, KJV: See thou tell no man; but go thy way, INT: Jesus See that no one you tell but Matthew 9:30 Adj-NMS Matthew 16:20 Adj-DMS Matthew 17:9 Adj-DMS Matthew 27:19 Adj-NNS Mark 1:44 Adj-DMS Mark 1:44 Adj-ANS Mark 5:26 Adj-ANS Mark 5:43 Adj-NMS Mark 6:8 Adj-ANS Mark 7:36 Adj-DMS Mark 8:30 Adj-DMS Mark 9:9 Adj-DMS Mark 11:14 Adj-NMS Luke 3:13 Adj-ANS Luke 3:14 Adj-AMS Luke 4:35 Adj-ANS Luke 5:14 Adj-DMS Luke 6:35 Adj-ANS Luke 8:56 Adj-DMS Luke 9:3 Adj-ANS Luke 9:21 Adj-DMS Luke 10:4 Adj-AMS John 8:10 Adj-AMS Acts 4:17 Adj-DMS Strong's Greek 3367 |
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