οὐδέ (oude)

oude

nor

G3761 · Greek · New Testament · 131 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 131 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The Greek word oude functions as a strong negative connector, typically translated as "nor," "neither," or "not even." It builds upon the basic negation of ou by adding emphasis, linking clauses to deny something that has already been ruled out. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts, helping Jesus and the apostles construct complex arguments by systematically excluding possibilities.

A key distinction lies in its use as an intensifier. When used adverbially with the meaning "not even," it underscores the absolute nature of a statement. For instance, in Luke 7:9, Jesus marvels that he has not found such great faith even in Israel, using oude to highlight the surprising absence of belief among his own people. Similarly, Acts 4:32 describes believers having everything in common, noting that not even one person claimed private ownership.

Etymologically, oude combines ou ("not") and de ("but"), creating a forceful "but not" or "and not." This structure allows writers to chain negatives together for rhetorical effect. In Matthew 5:15, Jesus asks if anyone lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket, noting that they do not place it on a stand either. The word ensures the reader grasps the full extent of the denial, leaving no room for ambiguity.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word oude acts as a firm boundary in our spiritual lives, often translating to "nor" or "not even." It appears when Jesus or the apostles want to make sure we do not misunderstand the full scope of a truth. By chaining negatives together, it removes every possible excuse or alternative path, leaving only the reality of God's word standing clear and unobstructed.

Consider how Jesus uses this strong negation in Matthew 6:26. He points out that birds do not sow, reap, or gather into barns, yet God feeds them. This "nor" emphasizes that our anxiety about material needs is unnecessary because our Father cares for us far more than He cares for these creatures. The word strips away the illusion that we must earn survival through our own frantic efforts.

When you encounter this term in Scripture, let it reassure you of the precision of God's promises. It shows that His instructions are not vague suggestions but clear boundaries designed to protect and guide. You can trust that when the text says "nor," it is removing a distraction so you can focus entirely on what truly matters: your relationship with the Father.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 131 verses where it appears, by frequency.

nor68×
not even22×
neither15×
Not even6×
not5×
Neither5×
nor [is]4×
Nor3×
nor even2×
nor [born]2×
not even [give]1×
not even [did]1×

Forms in the text

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

οὐδὲ136×
οὐδ᾽9×

Key Verses

Matthew 6:26
See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

The word emphasizes that birds perform none of the three listed agricultural actions, highlighting God's direct care without human labor.
Matthew 6:15
But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This occurrence links our refusal to forgive others directly to God's refusal to forgive us, showing a strict conditional relationship.
Matthew 24:36
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

It excludes even the angels from knowing the timing of the end, reserving that knowledge solely for the Father.
Matthew 10:24
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

The term denies any hierarchy where a student surpasses their master, grounding the disciple's experience in humility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between oude and ou?

Ou is the standard word for "not," while oude adds emphasis by meaning "nor" or "not even." It is used to connect negative statements, reinforcing that a second thing is also denied after the first has been ruled out.

Why does Jesus use such strong negatives in Matthew 6?

Jesus uses oude to remove ambiguity and prevent misunderstanding. In passages like Matthew 6:26, he lists actions birds do not perform to show that God's provision does not depend on human worry or labor.

Does this word appear in the Old Testament?

This is a Greek word found in the New Testament. The Hebrew equivalent often used for "nor" or "neither" is lo, which serves a similar function in connecting negative clauses.

Every Occurrence (131 verses across 18 books)

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 5:15

Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the…

Matthew 6:15

But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:20

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break…

Matthew 6:26

See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds…

Matthew 6:28

Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they…

Matthew 6:29

yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.

Matthew 7:18

A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.

Matthew 9:17

Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the…

Matthew 10:24

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

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 12:4

how 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 12:19

He will not strive, nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.

Matthew 13:13

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they…

Matthew 16:9

Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up,

Matthew 16:10

or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Matthew 21:27

They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do…

Matthew 21:32

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the…

Matthew 22:46

No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.

Matthew 23:13

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers.…

Matthew 24:21

for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever…

Matthew 24:36

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

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

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 27:14

He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Mark 10 verses

Luke 19 verses

John 15 verses

Acts 13 verses

Romans 7 verses

I Corinthians 10 verses

II Corinthians 1 verse

Galatians 8 verses

Philippians 1 verse

I Thessalonians 2 verses

II Thessalonians 1 verse

I Timothy 3 verses

Hebrews 6 verses

I Peter 1 verse

II Peter 1 verse

I John 2 verses

Revelation of John 7 verses