οὗτος (ohutos)
ohutos
this/he/she/it
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1,288 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The pronoun houtos points directly to something present and immediate, functioning as the Greek equivalent of "this" or "he." It is the most frequent demonstrative in the New Testament, appearing nearly 1,300 times, with a heavy concentration in John’s Gospel and Acts. Its primary role is to identify a specific person or thing, often serving as a simple substitute for a noun when the context makes the identity clear.
Beyond basic identification, houtos carries distinct rhetorical weight. It can refer back to what has just been said (anaphora) or forward to what is about to be explained (prolepsis), creating tight logical links in Jesus’ teaching and Paul’s letters. In passages like Matthew 13:55, where people question Jesus’ origins by asking, "Is this not the carpenter’s son?", the word emphasizes immediate familiarity. Conversely, John 1:15 uses it to highlight the presence of a figure standing among them, underscoring immediacy and proximity.
The sources note that houtos is related to ekeinos ("that"), with houtos typically indicating nearness in space or time, while ekeinos points to distance. This distinction helps translators choose between "this" and "that." The word also appears in fixed idioms like "for this reason" (dia touto), which frequently introduces the theological conclusion of a passage, such as John 3:17, where God’s purpose is explained.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word houtos is a simple demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "he." It points directly to something present, immediate, and specific. In the New Testament, it appears nearly 1,300 times, serving as a linguistic anchor that helps readers focus on exactly who or what is being discussed. Rather than drifting into abstract ideas, houtos grounds the text in concrete reality.
For your faith, this word invites attention to the immediacy of God’s action. When Jesus says, "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17), the pronoun highlights a unique, present moment of divine affirmation. It reminds us that God’s promises are not distant theories but realities we can encounter now. The word helps us see that Scripture is not just history; it is a living message pointing to specific people and events that matter today.
Understanding houtos deepens your reading by showing how tightly connected Jesus’ words are to His identity. It draws you into the narrative, making you an observer of these pivotal moments. You can trust that the God who spoke then is still speaking through these clear, direct references to truth and love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1,288 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- this476×
- these things149×
- these111×
- This110×
- These things45×
- this.40×
- this,40×
- These33×
- He27×
- he22×
- this?21×
- this;16×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τοῦτο268×
- ταῦτα180×
- οὗτος115×
- αὕτη68×
- τούτῳ65×
- οὗτός61×
- τοῦτον56×
- τούτων56×
- οὗτοι56×
- τούτου46×
- ταύτην32×
- ταύτῃ23×
Key Verses
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Matthew 3:17
Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
The pronoun houtos identifies Jesus directly as the beloved Son at His baptism, marking a pivotal moment of divine affirmation.
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Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Here houtos refers back to Jesus’ immediate teachings, emphasizing that hearing and doing them builds a secure foundation.
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Matthew 8:27
The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The crowd uses this pronoun to express wonder at Jesus’ identity, asking what kind of man has such authority over nature.
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Matthew 9:28
When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”
Jesus asks the blind men if they believe He can do "this" specific healing, focusing their faith on His present power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does houtos mean in Greek?
How is houtos different from ekeinos?
Where does houtos appear most often?
Every Occurrence (1,288 verses across 27 books)
Matthew 138 verses
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son…
Matthew 1:22Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 3:3For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the…
Matthew 3:9Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to…
Matthew 3:17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 4:3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Matthew 4:9He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 5:37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
Matthew 6:25Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body,…
Matthew 6:29yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
Matthew 6:32For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Matthew 6:33But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 7:12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on…
Matthew 7:26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 7:28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Matthew 8:9For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell…
Matthew 8:27The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Matthew 9:3Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but…
Matthew 9:26The report of this went out into all that land.
Matthew 9:28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do…
Matthew 10:2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the…
Matthew 10:5Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of…
Matthew 10:22You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
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 10:42Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I…
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
Matthew 11:10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before…
Matthew 11:16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their…
Matthew 11:25At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise…
Matthew 12:11He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day,…
Matthew 12:23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
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 12:27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
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 12:41The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the…
Matthew 12:42The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the…
Matthew 12:45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…
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 13:15for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; or else…
Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that which…
Matthew 13:20What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word and immediately with joy receives it;
Matthew 13:22What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of…
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 13:28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’
Matthew 13:34Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them,
Matthew 13:38the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the…
Matthew 13:40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.
Matthew 13:51Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”
Matthew 13:52He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a…
Matthew 13:53When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
Matthew 13:54Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this…
Matthew 13:55Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 13:56Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”
Matthew 14:2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
Matthew 15:8‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
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 15:15Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”
Matthew 15:20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
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 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…
Matthew 17:20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard…
Matthew 17:21But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 18:4Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 18:6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge…
Matthew 18:10See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of…
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 18:23Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Matthew 19:1When Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 19:5and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and the two shall…
Matthew 19:11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Matthew 19:20The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Matthew 19:22But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
Matthew 19:26Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 20:12saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and…
Matthew 20:14Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
Matthew 20:21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand…
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 21:4All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
Matthew 21:10When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
Matthew 21:11The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:16and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth…
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 21:23When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and…
Matthew 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what…
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 21:38But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his…
Matthew 21:42Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of…
Matthew 21:43“Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
Matthew 21:44He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”
Matthew 22:20He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
Matthew 22:38This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:40The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Matthew 23:14“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you…
Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier…
Matthew 23:34Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of…
Matthew 23:36Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
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 24:3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?…
Matthew 24:8But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:13But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:14This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end…
Matthew 24:33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
Matthew 24:34Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 25:40“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,…
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 25:46These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 26:1When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
Matthew 26:8But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
Matthew 26:9For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
Matthew 26:12For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
Matthew 26:13Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also…
Matthew 26:23He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.
Matthew 26:26As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…
Matthew 26:28for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
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 26:31Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike…
Matthew 26:34Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
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 26:42Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink…
Matthew 26:56But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…
Matthew 26:61and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’”
Matthew 26:62The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?”
Matthew 26:71When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with…
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed…
Matthew 27:32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might…
Matthew 27:37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why…
Matthew 27:47Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
Matthew 27:54Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were…
Matthew 27:58This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
Matthew 28:14If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.”
Matthew 28:15So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until…