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πολύς (polus)

polus

much

G4183 · Greek · New Testament · 342 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
342 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The Greek word polus functions as a fundamental descriptor for quantity, translating to "much," "many," or "great" depending on context. It appears over three hundred times in the New Testament, serving as the primary term for large numbers of people, significant amounts of time, or intense degrees of action. In Mark 5:24, it describes a vast crowd pressing around Jesus, while Matthew 9:37 uses it to depict a harvest that is "large" or abundant.

Its usage extends beyond simple counting to include intensity and value. The sources note its application to abstract concepts such as "much" grief (John 16:20) or "great" faith (Matthew 8:10). As a substantive, the plural "the many" often refers to large groups of people, contrasting with specific individuals. In Romans 5:15, this distinction highlights how the gift of grace surpasses the trespass of one man.

A notable feature is its adverbial use in the neuter singular and plural forms, such as "much" or "often." Moulton-Milligan points out that in non-literary papyri, phrases like "many thanks" were standard epistolary greetings. This suggests that when Luke writes of "many" accounts (Luke 1:1), he may be using a conventional phrase for "numerous" rather than emphasizing an exhaustive list, reflecting common usage of the period.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word polus reminds us that God’s grace is not a small, measured portion but an abundant overflow. In Matthew 6:30, Jesus points to the grass of the field to show how much more God cares for you. If He provides so lavishly for temporary plants, He certainly meets your deepest needs. This assurance helps quiet the anxiety that often comes from feeling insufficient or overlooked.

We also see this abundance in the crowds that followed Jesus. Matthew 4:25 describes great multitudes seeking Him, and He responded with healing and compassion. His ministry was not reserved for a select few but extended to many. This reflects a heart that desires to restore and comfort those who are weary.

Even in moments of sorrow, such as the weeping in Ramah (Matthew 2:18), the scale of human pain is real. Yet, the Christian hope rests on a God who enters into our great griefs. The abundance of His presence offers a comfort that outlasts any temporary loss, inviting us to rest in His steady care.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 342 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • many140×
  • much50×
  • great40×
  • Many20×
  • many things15×
  • many.12×
  • more7×
  • many,7×
  • great.7×
  • great,7×
  • of many6×
  • a great6×

Forms in the text

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

  • πολλοὶ64×
  • πολλὰ49×
  • πολλῶν35×
  • πολλῷ20×
  • πολὺ19×
  • πολλοὺς19×
  • πολὺς17×
  • πολλῆς12×
  • πλείους9×
  • πολὺν8×
  • πολλὴν8×
  • πολλὰς8×

Key Verses

  • 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?

    Jesus uses the comparative sense of 'much more' to argue from creation to care, showing that if God clothes grass, He will surely provide for His people.

  • Matthew 9:37
    Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

    The term describes a harvest that is plentiful or large, highlighting the urgency of the spiritual work ahead despite the few laborers available.

  • Matthew 4:25
    Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

    It quantifies the great multitudes following Jesus, illustrating the widespread reach of His ministry and the public nature of His compassion.

  • Matthew 7:13
    “Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it.

    The word indicates that many people choose the broad way to destruction, emphasizing the contrast between the large number on the wide path and the few on the narrow one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does polus mean in the New Testament?

Polus is an adjective that primarily means 'much,' 'many,' or 'great.' It describes large quantities of people, significant amounts of time, or intense degrees of action. Its meaning shifts slightly based on whether it modifies a singular or plural noun.

How is polus different from plethos?

While both relate to quantity, plethos usually refers to a 'fullness' or 'multitude' as a collective group. Polus focuses more on the adjective of quantity itself, describing something as large or abundant in degree or number.

Why does Jesus mention 'many' in Matthew 7:13?

In this verse, Jesus notes that many enter through the broad gate. This highlights the reality that the path to destruction is widely traveled by many people, contrasting with the narrow path that leads to life.

Every Occurrence (342 verses across 25 books)

Matthew 50 verses
Matthew 2:18

“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be…

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers,…

Matthew 4:25

Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who…

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…

Matthew 7:13

“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many…

Matthew 7:22

Many 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 8:1

When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

Matthew 8:11

I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the…

Matthew 8:16

When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all…

Matthew 8:18

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.

Matthew 8:30

Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them.

Matthew 9:10

As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 9:14

Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

Matthew 9:37

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Matthew 10:31

Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 12:15

Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,

Matthew 13:2

Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.

Matthew 13:3

He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.

Matthew 13:5

Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no…

Matthew 13:17

For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t…

Matthew 13:58

He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Matthew 14:14

Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:24

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

Matthew 15:30

Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down…

Matthew 16:21

From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…

Matthew 19:2

Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

Matthew 19:22

But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.

Matthew 19:30

But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.

Matthew 20:16

So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 20:28

even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:29

As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

Matthew 22:14

For many are called, but few chosen.”

Matthew 24:5

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:10

Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.

Matthew 24:11

Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:12

Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:30

and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will…

Matthew 25:19

“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them.

Matthew 25:21

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you…

Matthew 25:23

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you…

Matthew 26:9

For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

Matthew 26:28

for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:47

While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and…

Matthew 26:53

Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Matthew 26:60

and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses…

Matthew 27:19

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,…

Matthew 27:52

The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Matthew 27:53

and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

Matthew 27:55

Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

Mark 51 verses
Luke 46 verses
John 38 verses
Acts 56 verses
Romans 18 verses
I Corinthians 14 verses
II Corinthians 16 verses
Galatians 3 verses
Ephesians 1 verse
Philippians 3 verses
Colossians 1 verse
I Thessalonians 4 verses
I Timothy 5 verses
II Timothy 2 verses
Titus 2 verses
Philemon 2 verses
Hebrews 7 verses
James 3 verses
I Peter 1 verse
II Peter 1 verse
I John 2 verses
II John 2 verses
III John 1 verse
Revelation of John 13 verses