ποῦ (pou)
pou
where?
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 43 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word pou is an interrogative adverb that primarily asks "where?" in both physical and abstract senses. In the New Testament, it appears frequently to locate people or events, such as when the Magi ask where the newborn king might be found (Matthew 2:2) or when Jesus seeks out Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:34). It also functions colloquially to mean "whither" or "where to," as seen in Peter’s question about following Jesus (John 13:36).
Beyond simple location, pou often carries a rhetorical weight of absence or unfindability. When Paul asks where the wise or powerful are in 1 Corinthians 1:20, he implies they cannot be located among God’s chosen. Similarly, Luke records the disciples’ bewildered question, "Where is the master?" (Luke 8:24), highlighting their panic when Jesus is asleep during a storm. This usage suggests that pou can signal not just a missing place, but a missing presence.
Its etymology traces back to an obsolete genitive form of the interrogative pronoun pos ("what"), giving it a sense of inquiry into origin or state. While often translated simply as "where," its contextual force ranges from literal geography to spiritual searching. Translators must decide whether the question seeks a coordinate, a person, or a reason, as seen in John 7:35 where the Jews wonder if Jesus intends to go to Jerusalem.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The question "where" often arises in moments of transition or uncertainty. When the Magi asked where the newborn King was, their search led to worship. When Jesus asked his disciples where they wanted to prepare for the Passover, he guided them through a pivotal moment in salvation history. This simple word anchors us in reality; it asks for a specific place, a concrete direction, or a tangible presence.
In our own lives, we may ask where God is when storms rage or when we feel lost. Jesus’ response to the disciples in the boat was not just to calm the wind, but to ask where their faith had gone. The question invites us to look for him in the midst of chaos rather than away from it. It reminds us that he is not distant, but present in the details of our daily journey.
Ultimately, this word points to relationship. When people asked Jesus where he was staying, they did not just want an address; they wanted to know him. We are invited to seek his presence with the same earnestness. The search itself becomes a form of prayer, drawing us closer to the one who is always ready to be found.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 43 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- where24×
- Where18×
- Where [the]2×
- are where?1×
- [place] where1×
- Where,1×
- Where [is the]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ποῦ44×
- Ποῦ2×
- ποῦ;1×
- ποῦ,1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 2:2
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
The Magi use this question to initiate their journey of worship, showing that seeking God leads to encounter.
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John 1:38
Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
Jesus turns the inquiry into an invitation, shifting from a geographical query to a personal relationship.
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Luke 8:25
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid, they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
Jesus uses this question to challenge the disciples’ trust in his power during the storm.
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John 11:34
and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus asks this at Lazarus’s tomb, highlighting his human empathy and readiness to comfort grief.
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John 8:19
They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
The religious leaders ask where God is, revealing their spiritual blindness despite claiming to know him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pou mean?
How is pou different from other Greek words for 'where'?
Where does pou appear in the Bible?
Why does Jesus ask 'where' in some passages?
Every Occurrence (43 verses across 12 books)
Matthew 4 verses
“Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his…
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…