ἀλλά
alla
but
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word ἀλλά (alla) is a conjunction that translates to "but." It is the most frequently occurring conjunction in the New Testament, appearing 646 times. Thisaffeirmative conjunction is used to indicate a contrast or a shift in idea, often introducing a new thought or emphasizing a point. In its various contexts, ἀλλά serves to highlight a distinction, express a concession, or introduce a corrective. It can also be used to indicate a change in direction or to signal a new development. The word's versatility allows it to function in a range of sentence structures, from simple to complex, and in various genres, including narrative, epistolary, and didactic texts. The significance of ἀλλά lies in its ability to convey nuance and complexity in the Greek text. By examining its usage, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the author's intent and the underlying dynamics of the text. Its frequency and versatility make ἀλλά a crucial component of the Greek language, allowing writers to express a wide range of ideas and emotions with precision and subtlety.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
646 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Matthew 4:4But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”
Matthew 5:15Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
Matthew 5:17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Matthew 6:13Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
Matthew 6:18so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 7:21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 8:4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matthew 8:8The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Matthew 9:12When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
Matthew 9:13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 9:17Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Matthew 9:24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him.
Matthew 10:20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Matthew 10:34“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 11:8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Matthew 11:9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Matthew 13:21yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
Matthew 15:11That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
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 Sadducees.
Matthew 16:17Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:23But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
Matthew 18:22Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
Matthew 19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”
Matthew 19:11But he said to them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given.
Matthew 20:23He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
Matthew 20:26It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:28even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 21:21Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.
Matthew 22:30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:32‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Matthew 24:6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 26:39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
Mark 1:44and said to him, “See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”
Mark 1:45But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places. People came to him from everywhere.
Mark 2:17When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Mark 2:17When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Mark 2:22No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”
Mark 3:26If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.
Mark 3:27But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house.
Mark 3:29but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”
Mark 4:17They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.
Mark 4:22For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.
Mark 5:19He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.”
Mark 5:26and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,
Mark 5:39When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.”