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μέ (me)

me

me

G3165 · Greek · New Testament · 1,548 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1,548 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The word me is simply the negative particle used to introduce a command or prohibition, translating as "do not" or "let not." It appears frequently in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and Acts, where it carries significant weight in Jesus’ instructions. Unlike its counterpart mē, which expresses general negation or condition, me is specifically designed for direct commands, warnings, and prohibitions. This distinction ensures that when a reader encounters this form, they are facing an imperative rather than a mere statement of fact.

Its usage is most striking in the urgent appeals of Jesus, such as when He tells Peter to "put your sword back in its place" (Matthew 26:52) or warns against fearing those who kill the body (Matthew 10:28). In these contexts, the particle reinforces the authority of the speaker, marking a clear boundary for behavior. It serves as a linguistic marker that separates divine instruction from casual observation, highlighting the seriousness of the ethical demands placed on the listener.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

In the Gospels, one small word carries enormous weight: “me.” When Jesus says, “Come after me” (Matthew 4:19), He holds out an invitation that is deeply personal. The Greek pronoun leaves no room for abstraction. It is not a system, a philosophy, or a distant deity calling; it is a living person standing on the shore, looking at fishermen, and asking for their trust. That same “me” appears in the cry of the leper: “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). The man did not seek a ritual; he reached for the person he believed could heal. Faith pins its hopes on the One who says “me.”

The Gospels also show the harder side of this personal encounter. Jesus warns that on the last day some will say, “Lord, Lord” to Him — to that same “me” — and He will reply that He never knew them (Matthew 7:21-23). The pronoun becomes a boundary. Religious busywork, no matter how impressive, cannot replace the actual relationship Jesus offers. His “me” is both an open door and a final standard. It calls us away from pretending and toward honest, daily following.

Every time you read Jesus’s words in Scripture and find that personal “me,” you are overhearing a conversation that still echoes into today. The same Lord who faced down Satan with “Get behind me” (Matthew 4:10) now stands with you in your own struggles. His “me” is the steady ground beneath the shifting sand. Rest in that person, not just in ideas about Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,548 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • of us256×
  • us209×
  • me146×
  • Me145×
  • of mine137×
  • of Mine130×
  • we ourselves89×
  • to me71×
  • to us57×
  • of mine,39×
  • of Me36×
  • Me,34×

Forms in the text

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

  • μου385×
  • ἡμῶν313×
  • με210×
  • μοι164×
  • ἡμᾶς130×
  • ἡμῖν124×
  • ἡμεῖς117×
  • μου,100×
  • μου.50×
  • ἡμῶν,45×
  • με,31×
  • μοι·27×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 4:19
    He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

    Jesus uses the personal pronoun “me” to frame discipleship as a living relationship, not mere rule-keeping.

  • Matthew 4:10
    Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

    The command “Get behind me” shows that Jesus’s own identity is the line where true worship stands against every counterfeit offer.

  • Matthew 8:2
    Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

    The leper’s plea places all his hope on the person of Jesus, making “me” the hinge between desperate need and divine willingness.

  • Matthew 7:21
    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

    “Says to me” emphasizes that the coming judgment turns on a personal relationship with the One who speaks, not on outward profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Greek word ‘me’ (G3165) mean?

It is the accusative case of the first-person singular pronoun, equivalent to the English ‘me.’ In the New Testament, it most often appears in sayings of Jesus, as the direct object of verbs like ‘follow,’ ‘believe,’ or ‘reject.’ This simple pronoun underscores that the gospel is not a set of principles but a personal response to a person.

How is ‘me’ different from the nominative ‘I’ (egō) in Greek?

The form ‘me’ shows that the speaker is the receiver of an action. When Jesus says, ‘Come after me,’ the pronoun marks him as the one being followed. By contrast, egō emphasizes the one acting or speaking. Both draw attention to Jesus personally, but with different grammatical roles.

Why does Jesus say ‘me’ so often in the Gospels?

Jesus uses ‘me’ to anchor people’s faith and obedience in his own person. The Sermon on the Mount concludes with two builders hearing ‘these words of mine’ (Matthew 7:24, 26), making the listener’s response to him the decisive factor. His repeated ‘me’ leaves no room for a vague spirituality; everything hangs on who he is.

Where does Jesus say ‘Follow me’ in the New Testament?

The phrase occurs frequently, with the clearest early example being Matthew 4:19, where Jesus calls Peter and Andrew. Other instances include Matthew 9:9 (calling Matthew) and Matthew 16:24 (calling all disciples to self-denial). These invitations all use the pronoun ‘me’ to highlight the personal nature of discipleship.

Every Occurrence (1,548 verses across 27 books)

Matthew 162 verses
Matthew 1:23

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel,” which is,…

Matthew 2:6

‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come a governor who…

Matthew 2:8

He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me…

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 3:11

“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not…

Matthew 3:14

But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”…

Matthew 3:17

Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 4:9

He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Matthew 4:10

Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall…

Matthew 4:19

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

Matthew 6:9

Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

Matthew 6:11

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:12

Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:13

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory…

Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my…

Matthew 7:22

Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your…

Matthew 7:24

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on…

Matthew 7:26

Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Matthew 8:2

Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

Matthew 8:6

saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”

Matthew 8:8

The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be…

Matthew 8:9

For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell…

Matthew 8:17

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

Matthew 8:21

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

Matthew 8:22

But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:25

The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”

Matthew 8:29

Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us…

Matthew 8:31

The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.”

Matthew 9:9

As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him,…

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 9:18

While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…

Matthew 9:27

As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”

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 10:32

Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:33

But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:37

He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t…

Matthew 10:38

He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.

Matthew 10:40

“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.

Matthew 11:10

For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before…

Matthew 11:27

All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know…

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:30

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 12:18

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit on him. He…

Matthew 12:44

Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and…

Matthew 12:48

But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

Matthew 12:49

He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!

Matthew 12:50

For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel…

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 13:36

Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the…

Matthew 13:56

Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”

Matthew 14:8

She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

Matthew 14:18

He said, “Bring them here to me.”

Matthew 14:28

Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”

Matthew 14:30

But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Matthew 15:8

‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:9

And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”

Matthew 15:13

But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.

Matthew 15:15

Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

Matthew 15:22

Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My…

Matthew 15:23

But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”

Matthew 15:25

But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

Matthew 15:32

Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…

Matthew 15:33

The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”

Matthew 16:13

Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the…

Matthew 16:15

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:17

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father…

Matthew 16:18

I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail…

Matthew 16:23

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your…

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and…

Matthew 17:4

Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one…

Matthew 17:5

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…

Matthew 17:15

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often…

Matthew 17:17

Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring…

Matthew 17:19

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

Matthew 18:5

Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,

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 18:19

Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be…

Matthew 18:21

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven…

Matthew 18:28

“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him…

Matthew 18:32

Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.

Matthew 18:35

So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to…

Matthew 19:17

He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life,…

Matthew 19:20

The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Matthew 19:21

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure…

Matthew 19:27

Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”

Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man…

Matthew 19:29

Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my…

Matthew 20:7

“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will…

Matthew 20:12

saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and…

Matthew 20:13

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?

Matthew 20:15

Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’

Matthew 20:21

He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand…

Matthew 20:23

He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on…

Matthew 20:30

Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on…

Matthew 20:31

The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on…

Matthew 20:33

They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”

Matthew 21:2

saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with…

Matthew 21:13

He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”

Matthew 21:24

Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what…

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 21:28

But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’

Matthew 21:37

But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

Matthew 21:42

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of…

Matthew 22:4

Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle…

Matthew 22:17

Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19

Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.

Matthew 22:25

Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.

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 23:30

and 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 23:39

For 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 24:3

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?…

Matthew 24:5

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.

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 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Matthew 24:36

“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:48

But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’

Matthew 25:8

The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

Matthew 25:9

But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for…

Matthew 25:11

Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’

Matthew 25:20

He 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 25:27

You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own…

Matthew 25:34

Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from…

Matthew 25:35

for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.

Matthew 25:36

I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’

Matthew 25:40

“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,…

Matthew 25:42

for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

Matthew 25:43

I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit…

Matthew 26:12

For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

Matthew 26:15

and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of…

Matthew 26:18

He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the…

Matthew 26:21

As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

Matthew 26:23

He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.

Matthew 26:26

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…

Matthew 26:28

for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:29

But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with…

Matthew 26:32

But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Matthew 26:34

Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

Matthew 26:35

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.

Matthew 26:38

Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”

Matthew 26:39

He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away…

Matthew 26:42

Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…

Matthew 26:46

Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

Matthew 26:53

Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 26:55

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…

Matthew 26:63

But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are…

Matthew 26:68

saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?”

Matthew 26:75

Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then…

Matthew 27:4

saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”

Matthew 27:10

and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Matthew 27:25

All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”

Matthew 27:35

When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,

Matthew 27:46

About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…

Matthew 28:10

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will…

Matthew 28:13

saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept.

Matthew 28:14

If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”

Matthew 28:18

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Mark 85 verses
Luke 181 verses
John 217 verses
Acts 206 verses
Romans 86 verses
I Corinthians 80 verses
II Corinthians 102 verses
Galatians 29 verses
Ephesians 34 verses
Philippians 31 verses
Colossians 18 verses
I Thessalonians 39 verses
II Thessalonians 21 verses
I Timothy 8 verses
II Timothy 26 verses
Titus 13 verses
Philemon 14 verses
Hebrews 46 verses
James 20 verses
I Peter 6 verses
II Peter 13 verses
I John 38 verses
II John 3 verses
III John 4 verses
Jude 5 verses
Revelation of John 61 verses