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διά (dia)

dia

through/because of

G1223 · Greek · New Testament · 614 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
614 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The preposition dia functions as a bridge, indicating movement or causation "through" something. In its most literal sense, it describes physical passage, such as Jesus walking through a crowd (Mark 2:23) or the Israelites crossing the Red Sea (Acts 7:36). It captures the idea of passing from one side to another, establishing a clear path or channel.

Beyond space, dia frequently marks means or agency. When Paul writes that righteousness comes "through faith" (Romans 3:25), he uses the word to show the instrument by which something is achieved. It also denotes cause, explaining why an event happens "because of" a specific reason. This dual capacity for location and logic makes it one of the most versatile connectors in biblical Greek.

Its theological weight lies in this connection between God and humanity. The sources highlight that salvation and grace are often described as coming dia Christou—through Christ. This usage emphasizes that He is the exclusive channel or medium. Whether describing a physical journey or a spiritual reality, dia consistently points to the means by which one thing connects to another.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Greek preposition dia functions as a bridge between two points, indicating movement through space or causation by means of something. In the New Testament, it often describes physical passage, such as walking through a field, but its deeper theological weight lies in describing how God’s grace reaches us. When Scripture speaks of salvation coming dia Christou—through Christ—it highlights Him as the exclusive channel connecting humanity to divine mercy.

This word reminds us that our faith is not a solitary effort but a journey sustained by God’s provision. Whether we are navigating difficult circumstances or seeking understanding, we move through life with the assurance that God’s promises are fulfilled through His spoken word and His Son. It invites us to trust in the means He has provided, knowing that He guides our path with purpose and care.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 614 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • through386×
  • because of90×
  • Because of63×
  • on account of62×
  • for the sake of14×
  • for10×
  • with8×
  • because8×
  • in7×
  • On account of5×
  • during3×
  • Through3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • διὰ514×
  • δι᾽150×
  • Διὰ10×
  • διά7×
  • διαυγάσῃ1×
  • Δι᾽1×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 1:22
    Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

    The phrase 'through the prophet' identifies the human instrument God used to deliver His promise, showing how divine revelation is mediated through chosen messengers.

  • Matthew 12:1
    At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.

    Here dia describes physical movement through grain fields, grounding the spiritual lesson in a concrete, everyday action of Jesus and His disciples.

  • Matthew 13:5
    Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.

    The seed sprang up 'because' it had shallow soil, using dia to explain the causal reason for the plant's rapid but short-lived growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Greek word dia mean in the Bible?

Dia is a preposition that primarily means 'through' or 'because of.' It indicates movement from one side to another, such as walking through a crowd, or it marks the cause or means by which something happens, like salvation coming through faith.

How is dia used to describe spiritual truths?

Theologically, dia often identifies Christ or faith as the means through which God’s grace flows. For example, when Scripture says righteousness comes 'through faith,' it uses this word to show that faith is the instrument or channel connecting us to God's promises.

Does dia always mean physical movement?

No. While it can describe physical passage, as in Matthew 12:1 where Jesus walked through grain fields, it frequently denotes causation or agency. In Matthew 13:5, for instance, it explains why something happened 'because of' a specific condition.

Every Occurrence (614 verses across 27 books)

Matthew 58 verses
Matthew 1:22

Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:5

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,

Matthew 2:12

Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

Matthew 2:15

and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,…

Matthew 2:17

Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

Matthew 2:23

and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he…

Matthew 3:3

For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the…

Matthew 4:4

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s…

Matthew 4:14

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

Matthew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body,…

Matthew 7:13

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many…

Matthew 8:17

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our…

Matthew 8:28

When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there,…

Matthew 9:11

When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:14

Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

Matthew 10:22

You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 11:2

Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

Matthew 12:1

At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck…

Matthew 12:17

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

Matthew 12:27

If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Matthew 12:31

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be…

Matthew 12:43

“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.

Matthew 13:5

Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…

Matthew 13:6

When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 13:10

The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

Matthew 13:13

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they…

Matthew 13:21

yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word,…

Matthew 13:35

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will…

Matthew 13:52

He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a…

Matthew 13:58

He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14:2

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”

Matthew 14:3

For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

Matthew 14:9

The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be…

Matthew 15:2

“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”

Matthew 15:3

He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?

Matthew 15:6

he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.

Matthew 17:19

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…

Matthew 18:7

“Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person…

Matthew 18:10

See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of…

Matthew 18:23

Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Matthew 19:12

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by…

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s…

Matthew 21:4

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,

Matthew 21:25

The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say,…

Matthew 21:43

“Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.

Matthew 23:14

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…

Matthew 23:34

Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of…

Matthew 24:9

“Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s…

Matthew 24:12

Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:15

“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in…

Matthew 24:22

Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days…

Matthew 24:44

Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.

Matthew 26:24

The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…

Matthew 26:61

and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’”

Matthew 27:9

Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…

Matthew 27:18

For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.

Matthew 27:19

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,…

Mark 32 verses
Luke 39 verses
John 57 verses
Acts 72 verses
Romans 70 verses
I Corinthians 37 verses
II Corinthians 39 verses
Galatians 18 verses
Ephesians 22 verses
Philippians 12 verses
Colossians 14 verses
I Thessalonians 9 verses
II Thessalonians 6 verses
I Timothy 6 verses
II Timothy 9 verses
Titus 3 verses
Philemon 5 verses
Hebrews 54 verses
James 2 verses
I Peter 18 verses
II Peter 7 verses
I John 5 verses
II John 2 verses
III John 2 verses
Jude 1 verse
Revelation of John 15 verses