ὅταν (hotan)
hotan
when(-ever)
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 120 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hotan functions as a temporal conjunction meaning "when" or "whenever." It appears 120 times in the New Testament, with significant usage in the Gospels and Acts. Unlike simple time markers, it carries a conditional nuance, often referring to events expected to occur in an indefinite future. This makes it ideal for describing hypothetical situations or recurring conditions.
Its grammatical behavior reveals this flexibility. When paired with a present subjunctive, it typically indicates repeated or ongoing actions, such as Jesus’ teaching that the Kingdom will not be fully realized until a specific future time (Matthew 26:29). With an aorist subjunctive, it points to a single, definite event, as seen when Jesus predicts his disciples will drink wine again in the Father’s kingdom (Mark 14:25).
The sources note that hotan is rarely used with the indicative mood in classical prose, a feature preserved in Koine Greek. In rare instances like Mark 3:11, it appears with an imperfect indicative to describe a past habitual action. This structural choice allows translators to distinguish between general truths and specific historical moments, ensuring the text captures both certainty and possibility.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hotan invites us to see life not as a series of isolated moments, but as a sequence of opportunities to respond to God. It often carries a sense of 'whenever,' suggesting that divine encounters are not reserved for rare miracles but are woven into the ordinary flow of daily existence. This perspective helps us recognize that our faith is lived out in real time, responding to the specific circumstances we face each day.
Jesus uses this term frequently to teach how we should live when certain events occur. Whether it is facing persecution or engaging in private prayer, the instruction remains consistent: trust God’s presence in the moment. This word reminds us that we do not need to fear the future because God is already aware of what lies ahead and has provided guidance for every season.
By focusing on the 'when' rather than worrying about the 'if,' we can find peace in our daily walk. It encourages a posture of readiness and attentiveness, knowing that every moment offers a chance to align our hearts with His will. This simple yet profound concept helps ground our faith in the present, allowing us to live with purpose and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 120 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when77×
- When39×
- whenever4×
- Whenever3×
- While1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὅταν113×
- Ὅταν11×
Key Verses
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Matthew 6:6
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
This verse uses hotan to transition from public religious performance to private intimacy, highlighting that genuine prayer happens in secret rather than for human approval.
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Matthew 24:33
Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
Here the word marks a specific sign of the times, urging believers to recognize spiritual realities when they observe certain events unfolding around them.
-
Mark 2:20
But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Jesus uses this conjunction to predict a future time of sorrow after His departure, distinguishing the joy of His presence from the coming period of fasting.
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Matthew 10:19
But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.
The word introduces a moment of crisis where believers are assured that divine guidance will be provided exactly when they need to speak before authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word hotan mean?
How is hotan different from epeida?
Why does Jesus use hotan so often in the Gospels?
Every Occurrence (120 verses across 17 books)
Matthew 19 verses
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 6:2Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues…
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 6:6But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret;…
Matthew 6:16“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be…
Matthew 9:15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will…
Matthew 10:19But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you…
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 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 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that…
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 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man…
Matthew 21:40When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 24:15“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in…
Matthew 24:32“Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that…
Matthew 24:33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
Matthew 25:31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his…
Matthew 26:29But 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…