οὐκοῦν (oukoun)
oukoun
so
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adverb oukoun functions as a logical connector, translating to "so" or "therefore." It signals that a conclusion follows naturally from what has just been stated. In the New Testament, this word is rare, appearing only once in John 18:37. There, Jesus uses it to pivot from his statement about being born for truth to the observation that everyone on the side of truth listens to him.
Etymologically, oukoun combines a negative particle with an affirmative one, literally meaning "not therefore." Over time, the negative element faded in usage, leaving a simple marker of consequence. This shift distinguishes it from stronger causal terms like gar ("for"), which provides a reason, whereas oukoun simply draws a result. Its singular appearance highlights how specific logical transitions are chosen for precise rhetorical effect in dialogue.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oukoun appears just once in the New Testament, serving as a quiet but firm bridge between thought and conclusion. In John 18:37, Jesus uses it to connect His identity as King with His mission for truth. It signals that what follows is not random, but a natural result of who He is.
For your faith, this reminds us that our lives are not disjointed events. When we stand for truth, we are simply responding to the reality of Christ. This word invites you to see the logical flow in Scripture: because Jesus is King, we listen to His voice. It grounds our actions in His character, offering stability when the world feels chaotic.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Then1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὐκοῦν1×
Key Verses
-
John 18:37
Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Jesus uses this connector to show that listening to Him is the natural result of being 'of the truth,' linking His kingship directly to His testimony.