ἄν (an)
an
if
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 166 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek particle an functions as a subtle marker of possibility or condition within sentences. It rarely stands alone in English translations; instead, it modifies verbs and conjunctions to indicate that an action is contingent on specific circumstances. This particle appears frequently across the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, where it helps distinguish between general truths and specific hypothetical scenarios.
In many contexts, an combines with relative words like hos (who) or hoti (that) to create indefinite meanings such as "whoever" or "whatever." For instance, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus uses this construction to expand the scope of moral responsibility beyond specific individuals to anyone who might commit a certain act. Similarly, in Mark 6:10, the phrase "until he says depart" employs an with a temporal marker to define the duration of a stay based on a future condition.
The particle also appears in hypothetical statements where the outcome is uncertain or contrary to fact. In Luke 7:39, the Pharisee thinks to himself that if Jesus were a prophet, he would know who was touching him; here, an signals the unrealized nature of this supposition. Its presence often adds nuance to the grammar, distinguishing between what is definitely true and what is only potentially true under certain conditions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word an acts as a gentle marker of possibility in the New Testament. It often appears with verbs to show that an action depends on specific conditions or circumstances. In English, we might translate this simply as 'if' or 'whoever,' but the Greek nuance suggests a scenario that is real yet contingent on how events unfold.
Jesus uses this particle frequently to teach about spiritual realities. For example, in Matthew 5:19, He speaks of those who break the least commandments and teach others to do so. The structure implies a serious warning for anyone who might choose that path, highlighting the weight of our daily choices.
This word reminds us that our faith is lived out in real situations. It invites us to consider how our actions align with God's will when faced with specific challenges. Rather than abstract rules, we see a living faith that responds to the conditions we encounter each day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 166 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- maybe101×
- then would34×
- when29×
- would6×
- then4×
- ever2×
- If2×
- then would.1×
- only1×
- may1×
- if1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἂν166×
- ἄν15×
- ἄν.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:19
Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This verse uses the indefinite relative construction to warn anyone who might break and teach others to break God's commandments.
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Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Here the particle marks a hypothetical condition, suggesting that if Tyre and Sidon had seen Jesus' works, they would have repented.
-
Matthew 5:26
Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
The word reinforces the certainty of the warning by linking the release from prison to the complete payment of every debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word an mean?
How is an different from simple past tense verbs?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (166 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 37 verses
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the…
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of…
Matthew 5:22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever…
Matthew 5:26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
Matthew 6:5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the…
Matthew 10:11Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Matthew 10:14Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Matthew 10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone…
Matthew 10:33But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 11:21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done…
Matthew 11:23You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom…
Matthew 12:7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
Matthew 12:20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
Matthew 12:32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it…
Matthew 12:50For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 15:5But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a…
Matthew 16:25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Matthew 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge…
Matthew 19:9I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he…
Matthew 20:27Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,
Matthew 21:22All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
Matthew 22:44‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:18And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:30and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the…
Matthew 23:39For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Matthew 24:22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days…
Matthew 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
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…
Matthew 25:27You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own…
Matthew 26:48Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”