Lexical Summary pote: At some time, once, formerly, ever Original Word: ποτε Strong's Exhaustive Concordance whenFrom the base of pou and te; interrogative adverb, at what time -- + how long, when. see GREEK pou see GREEK te NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origininterrog. adverb from the same as pote Definition when? NASB Translation long* (7), when (14). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4219: πότεπότε (Curtius, § 631), direct interrogative adverb, from Homer down, when? at what time? Matthew 25:37-39, 44; Luke 21:7; John 6:25; loosely used (as sometimes even by Attic wrk.) for the relative ὁπότε in indirect questions (Winer's Grammar, 510 (475)): Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:4, 33, 35; Luke 12:36; Luke 17:20. ἕως πότε, how long? in direct questions (cf. Winers Grammar, § 54, 6 at the end; Buttmann, § 146, 4): Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 10:24; Revelation 6:10. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4219 (πότε/ποτε) is an adverb of time that functions either interrogatively (“when?”) or indefinitely (“ever, at some time, lest at any time”). Its 42 New Testament occurrences cluster around two principal ideas: (1) earnest inquiry into God’s timing and (2) pastoral or prophetic warnings that something undesirable might happen. In both roles the term underscores the tension between human uncertainty and divine sovereignty. Interrogative Use: earnest inquiry into God’s timing 1. Requests for prophetic insight 2. Questions directed to Jesus’ identity and mission 3. Expressions of frustration or yearning Indefinite or conditional use: pastoral and prophetic warnings 1. Negative purpose clauses with μή (lest) 2. Parabolic instruction Sheep and Goats: self-evaluation before the Judge Matthew 25:37-44 repeats πότε four times as both the righteous and the unrighteous ask, “Lord, when did we see You…?” The repetition highlights how unnoticed acts toward “the least of these” are, in reality, service rendered to Christ Himself. Pastoral Epistles and Hebrews: guarding against drifting • 2 Timothy 2:25 – “that God may perhaps grant them repentance” keeps evangelistic hope alive. Acts and Apostolic discernment Acts 5:39 cautions the Sanhedrin that “if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men,” while Acts 28:27, quoting Isaiah 6, warns hardened hearers. In both, ποτε underscores that divine purposes will stand regardless of human opposition. Theological reflection: divine timing and human responsibility 1. God’s timing remains hidden but purposeful (Acts 1:7; implied in Mark 13:32-35). Ministerial implications • Preach watchfulness: congregations should live as though the Master could return “at any time.” Summary Strong’s 4219 keeps time at the forefront of biblical faith. Whether forming a question that seeks divine disclosure or sounding a caution that guards against ruin, πότε/ποτε reminds the Church that every moment is lived before the God who knows the exact “when” of all things and calls His people to respond in watchful obedience and confident hope. Forms and Transliterations ποτε ποτέ πότε pote poté póteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:6 ConjGRK: σε μή ποτε προσκόψῃς πρὸς INT: you lest ever you strike against Matthew 5:25 Conj Matthew 7:6 Conj Matthew 13:15 Conj Matthew 13:29 Conj Matthew 15:32 Conj Matthew 17:17 Conj Matthew 17:17 Conj Matthew 24:3 Conj Matthew 25:37 Conj Matthew 25:38 Conj Matthew 25:39 Conj Matthew 25:44 Conj Matthew 27:64 Conj Mark 4:12 Conj Mark 9:19 Conj Mark 9:19 Conj Mark 13:4 Conj Mark 13:33 Conj Mark 13:35 Conj Mark 14:2 Conj Luke 3:15 Conj Luke 4:11 Conj Luke 9:41 Conj Luke 12:36 Conj |
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