ποταπός (potapos)
potapos
of what kind?
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective potapos asks a fundamental question about identity or nature, meaning "of what kind" or "from where." In its earliest classical usage, it focused on geographic origin, asking which country or tribe someone belonged to. Over time, the term broadened to inquire about the quality, sort, or character of a person or thing, shifting from place to essence.
Scripture employs this word in moments of shock or curiosity. In Mark 13:1, the disciples ask Jesus what kind of stones and buildings will remain, seeking details about the temple’s future state. Similarly, in Matthew 8:27, the sailors wonder at the nature of Jesus’ power over the storm, asking who this man is that commands even the winds. The word captures a genuine search for understanding the character behind an event.
Its usage highlights how biblical writers distinguish between mere location and inherent nature. While early forms pointed to physical borders, the New Testament sense emphasizes moral or spiritual sort. This shift allows the text to probe not just where someone comes from, but what they truly are in their actions and authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels chaotic or confusing, we often ask questions about the nature of what is happening around us. The Greek word potapos captures this deep curiosity. It does not just ask for facts; it seeks to understand the character and quality behind an event. In Scripture, this question arises in moments of shock, wonder, or moral reflection.
Consider how the disciples reacted when Jesus calmed the storm. They did not merely observe a weather change; they asked what kind of man possessed such authority. This word invites us to look beyond surface details to the heart of who God is and how He acts in our lives.
Similarly, Peter uses this inquiry to challenge believers about their own conduct. If the world will be changed, what kind of people should we be? It is an invitation to examine our character, trusting that God’s nature defines our own.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- what4×
- what kind2×
- What kind [of man]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ποταπός1×
- ποταπὸς1×
- ποταπὴν1×
- ποταπὴ1×
- ποταποὺς1×
- ποταποὶ1×
- ποταπαὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 8:27
The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The disciples use this question to express awe at Jesus' unique authority over creation, revealing His divine identity.
-
Mark 13:1
As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”
A disciple points out the temple's grandeur, prompting Jesus to teach about the temporary nature of physical structures versus eternal truth.
-
II Peter 3:11
Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
Peter shifts the focus from external destruction to internal character, asking what kind of holy lives believers should lead in light of God's promises.