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. John 16:4ἀλλὰ · But
    But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.
  2. John 16:6ἀλλ’ · Instead
    Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
  3. John 16:7ἀλλ’ · But
    But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
  4. John 16:12ἀλλ’ · but
    I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
  5. John 16:13ἀλλ’ · but
    However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
  6. John 16:20ἀλλ’ · but
    Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
  7. John 16:25ἀλλὰ · but
    I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
  8. John 16:33ἀλλὰ · But
    I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
  9. John 17:9ἀλλὰ · but
    I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
  10. John 17:15ἀλλ’ · but
    I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
  11. John 17:20ἀλλὰ · but
    I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
  12. John 18:28ἀλλὰ · [and unable]
    Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
  13. John 18:40ἀλλὰ · but
    “Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)
  14. John 19:21ἀλλ’ · but only
    So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
  15. John 19:24ἀλλὰ · Instead
    So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.
  16. John 19:34ἀλλ’ · Instead
    Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
  17. John 20:7ἀλλὰ
    The cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths.
  18. John 20:27ἀλλὰ · and
    Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
  19. John 21:8ἀλλὰ · only
    The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.
  20. John 21:23ἀλλ’ · but only
    Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”
  21. Acts 1:4ἀλλὰ · but
    And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.
  22. Acts 1:8ἀλλὰ · But
    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
  23. Acts 2:16ἀλλὰ · No
    No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
  24. Acts 4:17ἀλλ’ · But
    But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”
  25. Acts 4:32ἀλλ’ · but
    The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
  26. Acts 5:4ἀλλὰ · but
    Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
  27. Acts 5:13ἀλλ’ · Although
    Although the people regarded them highly, no one else dared to join them.
  28. Acts 7:39ἀλλὰ · Instead
    But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
  29. Acts 7:48Ἀλλ’ · However
    However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
  30. Acts 9:6ἀλλὰ · Now
    “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
  31. Acts 10:20ἀλλὰ · So
    So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”
  32. Acts 10:35ἀλλ’ · but
    …but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
  33. Acts 10:41ἀλλὰ · but
    …not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
  34. Acts 13:25ἀλλ’ · But
    As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
  35. Acts 15:11ἀλλὰ · On the contrary
    On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
  36. Acts 15:20ἀλλὰ · Instead
    Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
  37. Acts 16:37ἀλλὰ
    But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
  38. Acts 18:9ἀλλὰ
    One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
  39. Acts 18:21ἀλλὰ · But
    But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
  40. Acts 19:2Ἀλλ’ · No
    …and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
  41. Acts 19:26ἀλλὰ · but in
    And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.
  42. Acts 19:27ἀλλὰ · but
    There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”
  43. Acts 20:24ἀλλ’ · But
    But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
  44. Acts 21:13ἀλλὰ · but
    Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
  45. Acts 21:24ἀλλὰ · but [that]
    Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.
  46. Acts 26:16ἀλλὰ · But
    ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you.
  47. Acts 26:20ἀλλὰ
    First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
  48. Acts 26:25ἀλλὰ
    But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
  49. Acts 26:29ἀλλὰ · but
    “Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
  50. Acts 27:10ἀλλὰ · but
    “Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.”