τότε (tote)
tote
then
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 160 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb tote functions as a temporal marker meaning "then" or "at that time." It serves as the demonstrative counterpart to hoti ("when"), anchoring an event to a specific moment in the past or future. In the New Testament, it appears roughly 160 times, with Matthew using it far more frequently than any other Gospel writer.
Its usage typically signals either concurrent action or immediate consequence. For instance, it links events in narrative sequences such as Matthew 2:17 and 4:1, where an action follows directly upon a previous condition. It also establishes contrast with the present moment, as seen when Paul distinguishes between past practices and current freedom in Galatians 4:8-9.
The word carries significant weight in eschatological contexts, pointing to future judgment or revelation. Jesus uses it to describe events that will occur "at that time," such as the signs preceding his return in Matthew 24:30 or the separation of the righteous and wicked in Matthew 25:31-46. This usage highlights its role in delineating distinct eras within biblical history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word tote simply means 'then' or 'at that time.' It acts as a bridge in biblical narratives, connecting one event to the next with precision. When you read Matthew’s Gospel, this word appears frequently, guiding your eye from one moment of Jesus’ ministry to the next. It anchors stories in specific times, helping us see how God’s actions unfold in history rather than floating in abstraction.
For your faith, this temporal marker reminds you that God works within time and space. Whether it is Jesus calming a storm or healing a blind man, tote signals that these are real events with real consequences. It invites you to pay attention to the sequence of grace: how a promise leads to fulfillment, or how a challenge leads to revelation.
Understanding this word helps you appreciate the careful structure of Scripture. It shows that biblical history is not random but purposeful. Each 'then' points to a deeper truth about God’s timing and character, encouraging you to trust His schedule in your own life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 160 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Then99×
- then49×
- at that time5×
- that time4×
- At that time2×
- at the time1×
- at that time,1×
- At the same time1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τότε90×
- Τότε69×
- τότε,3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
This occurrence marks the pivotal transition from Jesus’ baptism to his temptation, anchoring the spiritual conflict in a specific moment of divine leading.
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Matthew 9:6
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”
Here tote highlights the immediate evidence of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, linking the verbal declaration with the physical healing of the paralytic.
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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 he will plunder his house.
In this metaphorical context, tote establishes the necessary sequence of binding the strong man before plundering his house, illustrating Jesus’ power over demonic forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tote mean in the New Testament?
How is tote different from other Greek words for 'then'?
Why does Matthew use tote so often?
Every Occurrence (160 verses across 14 books)
Matthew 89 verses
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male…
Matthew 2:17Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
Matthew 3:5Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
Matthew 3:13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Matthew 3:15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”…
Matthew 4:1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:5Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
Matthew 4:10Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall…
Matthew 4:11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Matthew 4:17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 5:24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer…
Matthew 7:5You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your…
Matthew 7:23Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there…
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Matthew 9:15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will…
Matthew 9:29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
Matthew 9:37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 11:20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
Matthew 12:13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other.
Matthew 12:22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man…
Matthew 12:29Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then…
Matthew 12:38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Matthew 12:44Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and…
Matthew 12:45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…
Matthew 13:26But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also.
Matthew 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the…
Matthew 13:43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 15:1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 15:12Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
Matthew 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was…
Matthew 16:12Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and…
Matthew 16:20Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 16:21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…
Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and…
Matthew 16:27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to…
Matthew 17:13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
Matthew 17:19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
Matthew 18:21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven…
Matthew 18:32Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Matthew 19:13Then little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:27Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Matthew 20:20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Matthew 21:1When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Matthew 22:8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That…
Matthew 22:15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Matthew 22:21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God…
Matthew 23:1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
Matthew 24:9“Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s…
Matthew 24:10Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.
Matthew 24:14This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end…
Matthew 24:16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Matthew 24:21for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever…
Matthew 24:23“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.
Matthew 24:30and 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 24:40Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.
Matthew 25:1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his…
Matthew 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from…
Matthew 25:37“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a…
Matthew 25:41Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared…
Matthew 25:44“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick,…
Matthew 25:45“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these,…
Matthew 26:3Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high…
Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
Matthew 26:16From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:31Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike…
Matthew 26:36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and…
Matthew 26:38Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”
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 26:50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26:56But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and…
Matthew 26:65Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold,…
Matthew 26:67Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,
Matthew 26:74Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.
Matthew 27:3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of…
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…
Matthew 27:13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”
Matthew 27:16They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.
Matthew 27:26Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.
Matthew 27:27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.
Matthew 27:38Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
Matthew 27:58This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
Matthew 28:10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will…