πρός (pros)
pros
to/with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 677 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The preposition pros indicates direction, proximity, or relation, functioning as a versatile connector in Greek. It takes three different cases to shift its meaning slightly: with the genitive, it suggests motion from a source; with the dative, it marks close physical nearness; and with the accusative, it points toward a destination or purpose. This grammatical flexibility allows it to cover a wide range of spatial and relational ideas in the New Testament.
In its most common accusative usage, pros describes movement toward a goal or person. For instance, in John 2:3, Mary tells Jesus about the wine shortage "toward" them, highlighting an immediate need. The sources note that this case often carries a sense of purpose, as seen in Matthew 5:28, where lust is defined as looking at a woman "for the purpose of" coveting her. It can also denote mental direction, such as hostility or favor, depending on the context.
When used with the dative case, pros emphasizes static proximity rather than movement. The lexicons point to specific scenes like Mark 5:11, where a herd of swine is grazing "near" a mountain, or Luke 19:37, where Jesus approaches the place of descent "at" the Mount of Olives. This usage grounds the narrative in physical reality, showing characters and objects existing in close relationship to one another.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek preposition pros (G4314) is more than a directional marker; it describes the intimate act of moving toward someone. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus uses this word when He invites the weary to come to Him. This is not a distant command but an invitation into close proximity. It suggests that faith involves turning our hearts and steps toward Christ, seeking His presence rather than remaining isolated in our struggles.
When we look at how pros functions with different grammatical cases, we see a rich picture of relationship. With the accusative case, it often points to purpose or destination, as seen when Peter walks on water toward Jesus (Matthew 14:29). With the dative, it marks nearness, grounding us in the reality of being close to God’s people and His truth. This versatility reminds us that our connection with God is both active—moving toward Him—and static—abiding in His nearness.
This word encourages us to view our spiritual life as a continuous approach. Whether we are facing uncertainty or seeking rest, pros invites us to direct our attention and trust toward Christ. It assures us that He is not far off but accessible, ready to meet us where we are and draw us into His peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 677 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to502×
- with46×
- for37×
- toward29×
- against21×
- at20×
- unto17×
- among10×
- in order6×
- by3×
- according to3×
- relating to2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πρὸς687×
- πρός43×
- προσάββατον,1×
- Πρός1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Jesus uses this term to invite the burdened into His personal presence, highlighting rest as a relational destination.
-
Matthew 14:29
He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
Peter’s movement toward Jesus demonstrates faith in action, using the word to describe physical and spiritual approach.
-
Matthew 3:15
But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
Jesus explains that fulfilling righteousness requires a specific alignment of purpose and action with God's will.
-
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
The invitation for children to come to Jesus shows His openness to those who approach Him with simple trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pros mean in the New Testament?
How is pros different from eis?
Why does Matthew 11:28 use this specific word?
Every Occurrence (677 verses across 26 books)
Matthew 42 verses
Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Matthew 3:5Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
Matthew 3:10Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and…
Matthew 3:13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Matthew 3:14But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
Matthew 3:15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”…
Matthew 4:6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels…
Matthew 5:28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his…
Matthew 6:1“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from…
Matthew 7:15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Matthew 10:6Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:13If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.
Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 13:2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 13:30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel…
Matthew 13:56Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?”
Matthew 14:25In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
Matthew 14:28Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”
Matthew 14:29He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
Matthew 17:14When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
Matthew 19:8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the…
Matthew 19:14But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to…
Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the…
Matthew 21:34When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
Matthew 21:37But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
Matthew 23:5But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their…
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 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered…
Matthew 25:9But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for…
Matthew 25:36I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’
Matthew 25:39When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
Matthew 26:12For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
Matthew 26:18He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the…
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 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I…
Matthew 26:57Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered…
Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
Matthew 27:14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Matthew 27:19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,…
Matthew 27:62Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered…