ὅτε (hote)
hote
when
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 105 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hote functions as a temporal conjunction meaning "when" or "whenever." It is one of the most common words in the New Testament, appearing over a hundred times across diverse books including Matthew, John, and Revelation. Its primary role is to anchor an event in time, signaling that something happens at a specific moment or during a particular period.
Lexical sources highlight that hote typically pairs with the indicative mood, especially the aorist tense, to mark definite past events. For example, it introduces precise moments like Jesus’ arrival in Matthew 9:25 or the beginning of his ministry in John 1:19. It also appears with imperfect tenses to describe ongoing situations, such as the disciples staying together in Acts 1:13.
A notable nuance arises when hote connects with perfect tenses, where it can shift from simple time to cause, meaning "since" or "now that." This subtle change adds weight to statements like Paul’s reflection in 1 Corinthians 13:11. By distinguishing these grammatical pairings, translators capture the exact timing and logical connection intended by the original authors.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hote simply means "when." It is a common conjunction that helps us understand the timing of events in Scripture. By anchoring actions to specific moments, it shows how God interacts with people in real time. This word reminds us that faith is not abstract but lived out in daily life.
For example, Matthew 9:25 uses hote to mark the moment Jesus raised a dead girl. The crowd was sent out, and then He took her hand. This simple word highlights the shift from despair to hope. It shows that God’s power often arrives at the precise moment we need it most.
When you read these verses, notice how hote connects human situations with divine action. Whether it is Jesus teaching or healing, the timing matters. This word invites us to trust that God is present in every season of our lives, guiding us through each moment with purpose and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 105 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when71×
- When32×
- when first1×
- after1×
- While1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὅτε97×
- Ὅτε9×
Key Verses
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Matthew 9:25
But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
This verse uses 'when' to mark the precise moment Jesus restores life, showing His power over death in a specific historical context.
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Mark 14:12
On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
Here 'when' anchors the Last Supper to the Passover preparation, linking Jesus’ final meal with Israel’s ancient deliverance.
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Matthew 7:28
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
The word signals the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the crowd’s reaction to Jesus’ authoritative teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word hote mean?
How is hote different from epeida?
Where does hote appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (105 verses across 18 books)
Matthew 13 verses
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Matthew 9:25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 11:1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Matthew 12:3But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
Matthew 13:26But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also.
Matthew 13:48which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the…
Matthew 13:53When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 19:1When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 21:1When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Matthew 21:34When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
Matthew 26:1When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
Matthew 27:31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.