οὕτως (ohutō, ohutōs)
ohutō, ohutōs
thus(-ly)
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 208 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb houtōs means "in this way" or "thus," serving as a linguistic pointer that ties words together in the text. Derived from the demonstrative pronoun for "this," it acts as a bridge, either looking back at what has just been said or introducing what is about to follow. In the New Testament, it appears over two hundred times, functioning as one of the most common connectors in Greek prose.
Its usage is highly versatile depending on context. It often summarizes a preceding action, as when Jesus points to his disciples’ behavior in Matthew 5:16 or describes the reaction of the crowd in Mark 10:43. Conversely, it can look forward to introduce a statement or quotation, such as in the opening of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9 or Peter’s speech in Acts 7:6. It also appears in comparative structures, linking two ideas with phrases like "just as... so" (Luke 11:30).
A notable feature is its use as a predicate to describe a state of affairs, essentially meaning "it is so." In John 4:6, it describes Jesus sitting at the well "as he was," emphasizing his physical presence without delay. This concrete usage grounds abstract theological concepts in tangible reality, showing how the word anchors spiritual teaching in specific historical moments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word houtōs, translated as 'thus' or 'in this way,' acts as a linguistic bridge in the New Testament. It does not merely describe manner; it connects actions to their divine purpose. When Scripture says God loved the world 'so' (John 3:16), that 'so' points directly to the gift of His Son. This word anchors abstract theology in concrete reality, showing us exactly how God’s character is displayed in history.
In your daily life, this connector invites you to look at the patterns of grace around you. Just as Jesus used it to link the feeding of the crowd with trust in God’s provision (Matthew 6:30), you can see how His care extends to your own needs. It reminds us that our response to God’s love is not a vague feeling, but a specific way of living—forgiving others just as we have been forgiven (Matthew 18:35).
Recognizing these connections deepens your faith by revealing the consistency of God’s word. Whether introducing the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9) or describing the final judgment, houtōs signals that what follows is rooted in who God is. Let this awareness ground you in the certainty that His ways are reliable and His promises are fulfilled exactly as He said they would be.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 208 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thus65×
- so57×
- Thus31×
- So21×
- thus.3×
- so.3×
- like this3×
- in this way3×
- thus,2×
- this2×
- in this manner2×
- in the same way2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οὕτως186×
- οὕτως,6×
- οὕτως.5×
- Οὕτως5×
- οὕτως.¶4×
- οὕτω4×
- οὕτως·2×
- οὕτως;2×
- Οὕτως,1×
Key Verses
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John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The 'so' here links the magnitude of God's love directly to the gift of His Son, defining the extent of that love.
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Matthew 6:9
Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
It introduces the Lord's Prayer, signaling that the following words are the model for how believers should address God.
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Matthew 18:35
So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
This 'so' creates a direct parallel between human forgiveness and divine judgment, showing the condition for receiving mercy.
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Matthew 6:30
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
It connects God's care for temporary grass to His care for people, emphasizing the reliability of His provision.
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Matthew 5:16
Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The phrase 'Even so' urges believers to let their actions reflect their faith in a way that points others to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does houtōs mean in the New Testament?
How is houtōs different from houtōs estin?
Where does houtōs appear most frequently?
Why is houtōs important for understanding Scripture?
Every Occurrence (208 verses across 21 books)
Matthew 32 verses
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together,…
Matthew 2:5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
Matthew 3:15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”…
Matthew 5:12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who…
Matthew 5:16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the…
Matthew 6:9Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
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 7:12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 9:33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen…
Matthew 11:26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
Matthew 12:40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and…
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 13:40As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.
Matthew 13:49So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous,
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 18:14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:35So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
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 19:12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by…
Matthew 20:16So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 23:28Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Matthew 24:27For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.
Matthew 24:37As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
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 24:46Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.
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 26:54How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”