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πρῶτος (prōtos)

prōtos

first

G4413 · Greek · New Testament · 157 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
157 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The Greek word prōtos simply means "first," but it carries a wide range of meanings depending on context. It can refer to something that comes first in time, like the first day of the week (Mark 16:9), or first in place, such as the first prisoner released (John 19:32). It also describes rank or importance, calling Jesus the "chief" commandment (Matthew 22:38) or Paul the "foremost" sinner (1 Timothy 1:15).

Its versatility is clear in how it shifts from concrete sequence to abstract priority. In Revelation, Jesus calls Himself "the first and the last" (Revelation 1:17), blending temporal eternity with supreme authority. Even when used as an adverb like "first of all" (1 Corinthians 15:3), it sets a logical order rather than just a chronological one. This single word captures both the simple fact of being first and the weight of being primary.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word prōtos reminds us that priority shapes our daily walk. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus invites us to seek God’s Kingdom above all else. This is not a call to anxiety, but an invitation to trust that when we place Him first, the rest of our needs fall into their proper order.

It also calls us to look inward before judging others. Matthew 7:5 uses this word to urge self-examination. We are encouraged to address our own flaws with honesty and grace, creating space for genuine reconciliation in our relationships.

Finally, it offers hope that God’s view of value differs from the world’s. In Matthew 20:16, Jesus reverses human rankings, showing that humility and faithfulness are what truly matter to Him. This perspective frees us from the pressure to compete for status.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 157 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • first104×
  • first.10×
  • first,9×
  • First7×
  • first;4×
  • before3×
  • [the] foremost3×
  • [the] first3×
  • first?2×
  • the first1×
  • principals1×
  • on [the] first [day]1×

Forms in the text

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

  • πρῶτον56×
  • πρῶτος25×
  • πρώτη14×
  • πρῶτοι8×
  • πρῶτον,5×
  • πρώτῃ5×
  • πρώτην5×
  • πρώτων.4×
  • πρώτης4×
  • πρῶτός3×
  • πρώτῳ3×
  • Πρῶτον3×

Key Verses

  • Matthew 6:33
    But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

    This verse establishes prōtos as a directive for spiritual priority, placing the pursuit of God’s Kingdom above material concerns.

  • Matthew 7:5
    You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

    Here the word structures a logical sequence, requiring personal repentance before offering correction to others.

  • Matthew 20:16
    So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

    Jesus uses this term to subvert social hierarchies, highlighting that divine grace often elevates the humble over the proud.

  • Matthew 22:38
    This is the first and great commandment.

    The word identifies the greatest commandment, marking it as the primary foundation for all other religious duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does prōtos mean in the New Testament?

Prōtos is a Greek adjective that primarily means 'first.' It can indicate sequence in time, such as the first day of the week, or rank and importance, such as the first commandment. Its meaning shifts based on whether the context is chronological, spatial, or hierarchical.

How is prōtos different from other words for 'first'?

While Greek has several words for sequence, prōtos specifically emphasizes primacy in rank, importance, or order of precedence. It is the standard term used when discussing priority, such as seeking God first, rather than just simple chronological succession.

Where does this word appear most significantly?

It appears frequently in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew’s teachings on ethics and the Kingdom of God. Key passages include the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33) and parables about laborers (Matthew 20:16), where it defines spiritual priorities.

Every Occurrence (157 verses across 21 books)

Matthew 24 verses
Matthew 5:24

leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer…

Matthew 6:33

But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:5

You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your…

Matthew 8:21

Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

Matthew 10:2

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the…

Matthew 12:29

Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then…

Matthew 12:45

Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel…

Matthew 17:10

His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Matthew 17:11

Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;

Matthew 17:27

But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have…

Matthew 19:30

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

Matthew 20:8

“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages,…

Matthew 20:10

When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.

Matthew 20:16

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

Matthew 20:27

Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant,

Matthew 21:28

But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’

Matthew 21:31

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell…

Matthew 21:36

Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they treated them the same way.

Matthew 22:25

Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.

Matthew 22:38

This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 23:26

You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.

Matthew 26:17

Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…

Matthew 27:64

Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal…

Mark 16 verses
Luke 19 verses
John 15 verses
Acts 16 verses
Romans 7 verses
I Corinthians 8 verses
II Corinthians 1 verse
Ephesians 2 verses
Philippians 1 verse
I Thessalonians 2 verses
II Thessalonians 1 verse
I Timothy 7 verses
II Timothy 4 verses
Titus 1 verse
Hebrews 10 verses
James 1 verse
I Peter 1 verse
II Peter 3 verses
I John 1 verse
Revelation of John 17 verses