οὐ (ou)
ou
no
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1,447 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word ou is the primary negative particle used to deny facts or assert that something is not true. Unlike its counterpart me, which negates possibilities or wishes, ou states objective reality. It appears over 1,400 times in the New Testament, serving as the standard "not" or "no" in declarative sentences across all four Gospels and Paul’s letters.
Its form changes slightly for pronunciation: it becomes ouk before vowels with smooth breathing and ouch before those with rough breathing. This word often carries significant weight in Jesus’ teachings, such as when He declares that He does nothing on His own authority (John 8:28) or when Peter denies knowing Him (Matthew 26:72). It also appears in rhetorical questions expecting an affirmative answer, like Jesus asking if the birds of the air are not worth more than people (Matthew 6:26).
Translators render ou as "not," "no," or "never" depending on context. Its frequent use in the Gospels highlights the clear, factual nature of Christ’s statements about truth and identity. The word provides a firm boundary around divine claims, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding what is and is not the case.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ou serves as a firm boundary around truth in the New Testament. It denies facts rather than possibilities, marking what is objectively real. When Jesus uses it, He speaks with clarity about who He is and what God requires. This certainty helps us trust His promises without doubt.
In daily life, this word reminds us that some things are simply not true. We do not need to earn our place in God’s Kingdom through perfection. Instead, we rest in the fact that Christ has fulfilled the law for us. His work is complete, and our standing before Him is secure because of grace.
This clarity frees us from anxiety about our performance. We can focus on following Jesus with honesty. When we speak, let our yes be yes and our no be no. Trust in the solid ground of His finished work brings peace to your heart today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,447 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- not1163×
- Not194×
- certainly95×
- no longer49×
- Surely45×
- surely25×
- no22×
- No9×
- nothing8×
- neither8×
- never7×
- none6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὐκ821×
- οὐ672×
- οὐχ105×
- οὐκέτι47×
- Οὐ14×
- Οὐκ8×
- οὔ;4×
- οὔ,3×
- οὒ3×
- οὔ·2×
- οὔ.2×
- Οὐχ2×
Key Verses
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Matthew 5:17
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Jesus uses this negative to clarify that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, establishing the continuity of Scripture.
-
Matthew 5:37
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
This verse defines honest speech by stating that anything beyond a simple yes or no comes from the evil one.
-
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Jesus declares it is impossible to serve two masters, using this word to highlight the exclusive loyalty required for discipleship.
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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.
This occurrence warns that mere verbal confession is insufficient for entering the Kingdom without doing the Father's will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word ou mean?
How is ou different from me?
Why does ou change form?
Every Occurrence (1,447 verses across 27 books)
Matthew 176 verses
and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
Matthew 2:18“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be…
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 4:4But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s…
Matthew 4:7Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”
Matthew 5:14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
Matthew 5:17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke…
Matthew 5:20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter…
Matthew 5:21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of…
Matthew 5:26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
Matthew 5:33“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the…
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 5:37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
Matthew 6:1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from…
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 6:20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break…
Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one…
Matthew 6:26See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds…
Matthew 6:28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they…
Matthew 6:30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much…
Matthew 7:3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
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 7:22Many 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 7:25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded…
Matthew 7:29for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
Matthew 8:8The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be…
Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his…
Matthew 9:12When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
Matthew 9:13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but…
Matthew 9:14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Matthew 9:24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him.
Matthew 10:20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in 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 10:24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
Matthew 10:26Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be…
Matthew 10:29“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.
Matthew 10:34“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 10:37He 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 10:38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.
Matthew 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the…
Matthew 11:17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
Matthew 11:20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
Matthew 12:2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
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 12:4how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were…
Matthew 12:5Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Matthew 12:7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
Matthew 12:19He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
Matthew 12:20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory.
Matthew 12:24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the…
Matthew 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every…
Matthew 12:31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be…
Matthew 12:32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it…
Matthew 12:39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the…
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 13:5Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…
Matthew 13:11He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.
Matthew 13:12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken…
Matthew 13:13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they…
Matthew 13:14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand;…
Matthew 13:17For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…
Matthew 13:21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word,…
Matthew 13:29“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.
Matthew 13:55Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 13:57They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in…
Matthew 13:58He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 14:4For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Matthew 14:16But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Matthew 14:17They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”
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 15:11That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the…
Matthew 15:13But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.
Matthew 15:17Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body?
Matthew 15:20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
Matthew 15:23But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
Matthew 15:24But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 15:26But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…
Matthew 16:3In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to…
Matthew 16:4An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the…
Matthew 16:7They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”
Matthew 16:8Jesus, perceiving it, said, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, because you have brought no bread?
Matthew 16:11How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees…
Matthew 16:12Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and…
Matthew 16:17Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father…
Matthew 16:18I 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 16:22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
Matthew 16:23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your…
Matthew 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to.…
Matthew 17:16So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
Matthew 17:19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
Matthew 17:21But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:24When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher…
Matthew 18:3and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the…
Matthew 18:14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:22Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.
Matthew 18:33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
Matthew 19:4He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,
Matthew 19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Matthew 19:8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the…
Matthew 19:10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
Matthew 19:11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Matthew 19:18He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not…
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 20:15Isn’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 20:22But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be…
Matthew 20:23He 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 20:26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:28even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 21:19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit…
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done…
Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say,…
Matthew 21:27They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do…
Matthew 21:29He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
Matthew 21:30He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the…
Matthew 22:3and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Matthew 22:8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
Matthew 22:11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
Matthew 22:16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach…
Matthew 22:17Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Matthew 22:31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
Matthew 22:32‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the…
Matthew 22:46No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and…
Matthew 23:4For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will…
Matthew 23:13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…
Matthew 23:30and 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 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered…
Matthew 23:39For 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 24:2But he answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here…
Matthew 24:21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever…
Matthew 24:22Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days…
Matthew 24:29“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the…
Matthew 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 24:39and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:42Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
Matthew 24:43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have…
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 24:50the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it and in an hour when he doesn’t know it,
Matthew 25:3Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
Matthew 25:9But 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 25:12But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:24“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you…
Matthew 25:26“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where…
Matthew 25:42for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
Matthew 25:43I 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 25:44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick,…
Matthew 25:45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these,…
Matthew 26:11For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.
Matthew 26:24The 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 26:29But 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…
Matthew 26:35Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
Matthew 26:39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away…
Matthew 26:40He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
Matthew 26:42Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…
Matthew 26:53Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…
Matthew 26:60and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses…
Matthew 26:70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Matthew 26:72Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.”
Matthew 26:74Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.
Matthew 27:6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the…
Matthew 27:13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”
Matthew 27:14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Matthew 27:34they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
Matthew 27:42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we…
Matthew 28:6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.