καθόλου (katholou)
katholou
at all
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb katholou means "at all," "in general," or "on the whole." Derived from words meaning "through" and "all," it functions as an intensifier that covers a complete scope. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 4:18, where the religious leaders command Peter and John not to speak at all in the name of Jesus.
Its usage here is straightforward but emphatic. The phrase "not at all" (mē katholou) leaves no room for partial compliance or subtle exceptions. It signals a total prohibition, reflecting the authorities' desire to silence the apostles completely rather than merely restrict their message. This single occurrence highlights how the word serves to close off any possibility of further action.
While rare in the New Testament, the term appears more frequently in the Septuagint, often translating Hebrew expressions for negation or totality. Its presence in texts like Amos and Ezekiel shows its role in establishing clear boundaries or absolute statements. The word’s simplicity lies in its ability to encompass everything within a given context, leaving no part excluded.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word καθόλου (katholou) appears only once in the New Testament, found in Acts 4:18. Here, it translates to "at all," forming the phrase "not at all." The religious leaders used this emphatic negation to command Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name completely. It was a total ban, leaving no room for partial compliance.
For your faith, this word highlights the boldness required when standing for Christ. Even under strict prohibition, the apostles did not retreat into silence. They chose obedience to God over fear of man. This single occurrence reminds us that our witness is not limited by human restrictions but by our commitment to truth.
When you face opposition or pressure to stay quiet about your beliefs, remember this moment in Acts. The word καθόλου marks a boundary that faith can cross. It encourages you to speak with clarity and courage, knowing that God honors those who refuse to be silenced.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καθόλου1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 4:18
They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where 'not at all' (mē katholou) forms an absolute prohibition against speaking in Jesus' name.