Keraia
Lexicon

ἀλλά

allabutHow to read Greek
greekNew TestamentConjunction639 occurrences27 books604 verses

Definition

ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146),

adversative particle,

stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Romans 3:31);

1. opposing a previous negation, but: οὐ (μὴ) . . . ἀ., Matthew 5:15, 17, Mark 5:39, John 7:16, al.; rhetorically subordinating but not entirely negativing what precedes, οὐ . . . ἀ., not so much . . . as, Mark 9:37, Matthew 10:20, John 12:44, al.; with ellipse of the negation, Matthew 11:7-9, Acts 19:2, 1 Corinthians 3:6; 6:11; 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 2:3, al.; in opposition to a foregoing pos. sentence, ἀ. οὐ, Matthew 24:6, 1 Corinthians 10:23; οὐ μόνον . . . ἀ. καί, John 5:18, Romans 1:32, al.; elliptically, after a negation, ἀ. ἵνα, Mark 14:49, John 1:8; 9:3, al.; = εἰ μή (Bl., §77, 13; M, Pr., 241; but cf. WM, §iii, 10), Matthew 20:23, Mark 4:22.

2. Without previous negation, to express opposition, interruption, transition, etc., but: John 16:20; 12:27, Galatians 2:14; before commands or requests, Acts 10:20; 26:16, Matthew 9:18, Mark 9:22, al.; to introduce an accessory idea, 2 Corinthians 7:11; in the apodosis after a condition or concession with εἰ, ἐάν, εἴπερ, yet, still, at least, Mark 14:29, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Colossians 2:5, al.; after μέν, Acts 4:17, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 14:17; giving emphasis to the following clause, ἀλλ᾽ ἔρχεται ὥρα, yea, etc., John 16:2; so with neg., ἀλλ᾽ οὐδέ, nay, nor yet, Luke 23:15.

3. Joined with other particles (a practice which increases in late writers; Simcox, LNT, 166), ἀ. γε, yet at least, Luke 24:21, 1 Corinthians 9:2; ἄ ἤ., save only, except, Luke 12:51, 2 Corinthians 1:13; ἀ. μὲν οὖν, Philippians 3:8 (on this usage, see MM, VGT, see word).

Hebrew words it translates

The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ἀλλά:

Usage patterns

Old TestamentNew Testament

Occurrences

639 total
  1. Mark 6:9ἀλλὰ · [and]
    …and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic.
  2. Mark 6:52ἀλλ’ · but
    …for they had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts had been hardened.
  3. Mark 7:5ἀλλὰ · Instead
    So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”
  4. Mark 7:15ἀλλὰ · but
    Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”
  5. Mark 7:19ἀλλ’ · but
    …because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)
  6. Mark 7:25ἀλλ’ · Instead
    Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet.
  7. Mark 8:33ἀλλὰ · but
    But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
  8. Mark 9:8ἀλλὰ · except
    Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them except Jesus.
  9. Mark 9:13ἀλλὰ · But
    But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”
  10. Mark 9:22ἀλλ’ · But
    “It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
  11. Mark 9:37ἀλλὰ · but
    “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
  12. Mark 10:8ἀλλὰ · but
    …and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
  13. Mark 10:27ἀλλ’ · but
    Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
  14. Mark 10:40ἀλλ’ · [These seats belong to those ]
    But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
  15. Mark 10:43ἀλλ’ · Instead
    But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
  16. Mark 10:45ἀλλὰ · but
    For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
  17. Mark 11:23ἀλλὰ · but
    “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.
  18. Mark 11:32ἀλλὰ · But
    But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
  19. Mark 12:14ἀλλ’ · [and]
    “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
  20. Mark 12:25ἀλλ’ · Instead
    When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven.
  21. Mark 12:27ἀλλὰ · but
    He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
  22. Mark 13:7ἀλλ’ · but
    When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.
  23. Mark 13:11ἀλλ’ · Instead; ἀλλὰ · but
    But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
  24. Mark 13:20ἀλλὰ · But
    If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.
  25. Mark 13:24Ἀλλὰ · But
    But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
  26. Mark 14:28Ἀλλὰ · But
    But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
  27. Mark 14:29ἀλλ’
    Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
  28. Mark 14:36ἀλλ’ · Yet; ἀλλὰ · but
    “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
  29. Mark 14:49ἀλλ’ · But
    Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”
  30. Mark 16:7ἀλλὰ · But
    But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
  31. Luke 1:60ἀλλὰ
    But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
  32. Luke 5:14Ἀλλὰ · But
    “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
  33. Luke 5:31ἀλλὰ · but
    Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
  34. Luke 5:32ἀλλὰ · but
    I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
  35. Luke 5:38ἀλλὰ · Instead
    Instead, new wine is poured into new wineskins.
  36. Luke 6:27Ἀλλὰ · But
    But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
  37. Luke 7:7ἀλλὰ · But [just]
    That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
  38. Luke 7:25ἀλλὰ · Otherwise
    Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.
  39. Luke 7:26Ἀλλὰ · then
    What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
  40. Luke 8:16ἀλλ’ · Instead
    No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
  41. Luke 8:27ἀλλ’ · but [he stayed]
    When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs.
  42. Luke 8:52ἀλλὰ · but
    Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”
  43. Luke 11:33ἀλλ’ · Instead
    No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
  44. Luke 11:42Ἀλλὰ
    Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.
  45. Luke 12:7ἀλλὰ · [And even]
    And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
  46. Luke 12:51ἀλλ’ · but
    Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.
  47. Luke 13:3ἀλλ’ · But
    No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
  48. Luke 13:5ἀλλ’ · But
    No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”