ἄλλος (allos)
allos
another
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 143 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word allos simply means "another" or "other," pointing to a distinct individual within a group. It appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, to identify specific people or things that are different from those already mentioned. For instance, it distinguishes one disciple from another or identifies a second worker hired later in the day (Matthew 20:3).
Lexicographers often contrast allos with heteros to highlight a subtle but important distinction. While heteros typically implies a difference in kind or quality, allos usually denotes a numerical difference—simply one more of the same sort. This is evident when Jesus speaks of "other sheep" that are not currently in the fold (John 10:16), suggesting additional members of the same flock rather than a different species entirely.
The term carries significant weight in describing the diversity of spiritual gifts. In his letters, Paul uses allos to explain how various believers receive different abilities from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Here, the word underscores that while the source is one, the recipients and their specific roles are distinct individuals, each contributing uniquely to the whole.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allos carries a simple but profound meaning: it points to an individual that is distinct yet similar to those already present. Unlike words that suggest a difference in kind, this term highlights numerical variety within the same group. When Jesus spoke of "other sheep" not yet in the fold, He used this word to show that His flock would expand to include new members who share the same nature as those already gathered.
This understanding brings comfort to our daily lives. It reminds us that God’s plan often involves adding new people to our circle or introducing fresh perspectives into familiar situations. Whether it is a new friend joining your community or a different way of seeing an old problem, allos signals that variety is part of the design. We are not isolated in our experiences; we are part of a growing whole where every new addition matters.
In moments of change, this word invites us to look for the familiar threads within new circumstances. Just as the parable of the talents showed servants gaining "another" talent through faithful work, we too can find growth in the unexpected additions life brings. It encourages us to welcome what is different without losing sight of what connects us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 143 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- another41×
- other32×
- others20×
- Others12×
- to another7×
- more5×
- Another5×
- another,4×
- Other4×
- other things3×
- to others.2×
- to others2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄλλοι26×
- ἄλλος25×
- ἄλλα17×
- ἄλλον16×
- ἄλλους11×
- ἄλλο11×
- ἄλλη11×
- ἄλλῳ8×
- Ἄλλην4×
- ἄλλοις4×
- ἄλλης3×
- ἄλλῳ·2×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 20:3
He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
It distinguishes workers hired at different times who share the same status as those already in the vineyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does allos mean in the New Testament?
How is allos different from heteros?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (143 verses across 13 books)
Matthew 29 verses
Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Matthew 4:21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with…
Matthew 5:39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 8:9For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell…
Matthew 12:13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
Matthew 13:5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…
Matthew 13:7Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
Matthew 13:8Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:24He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,
Matthew 13:31He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took,…
Matthew 13:33He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of…
Matthew 16:14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 19:9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he…
Matthew 20:3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
Matthew 20:6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day…
Matthew 21:8A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Matthew 21:33“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it,…
Matthew 21:36Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they treated them the same way.
Matthew 21:41They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who…
Matthew 22:4Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle…
Matthew 25:16Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 25:17In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
Matthew 25:20He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five…
Matthew 25:22“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another…
Matthew 26:71When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with…
Matthew 27:42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we…
Matthew 27:49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Matthew 27:61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Matthew 28:1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see…