μέν
men
on the other hand
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word μέν (men) is a conjunction that introduces a contrast or a counterpoint to what has been previously stated. Its short definition, "on the other hand," captures its core meaning, which is to set off a second or opposing idea. This word is used 196 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the Greek text. In terms of usage, μέν is often employed to signal a shift in thought or to highlight a contrasting perspective. It can be used to introduce a new idea, to emphasize a point, or to provide a counterexample. For example, in a sentence where a positive statement is made, μέν might be used to introduce a negative consequence or a contrasting view. This word allows the writer or speaker to present multiple sides of an argument or to highlight the complexity of a situation. The significance of μέν lies in its ability to add nuance and depth to the text. By introducing contrasts and counterpoints, μέν helps to create a more dynamic and engaging narrative. It also allows the reader or listener to consider multiple perspectives and to think critically about the information being presented. In this way, μέν plays a crucial role in shaping the meaning and impact of the text.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
196 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Matthew 3:11I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 23:27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:28Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Matthew 9:37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 10:13If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.
Matthew 13:4As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
Matthew 13:8Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Matthew 13:32which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
Matthew 16:3In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!
Matthew 16:14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 17:11Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,
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 21:35The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Matthew 22:5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
Matthew 22:8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
Matthew 25:15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
Matthew 25:33He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
Matthew 26:41Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 1:8I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 4:4and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it.
Mark 9:12He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?
Mark 10:39They said to him, “We are able.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;
Mark 12:5Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some.
Mark 14:21For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
Mark 14:38Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 16:19So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
Luke 3:16John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
Luke 3:18Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
Luke 8:5“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.
Luke 10:2Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:6If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Luke 11:48So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs.
Luke 13:9If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ ”
Luke 22:22The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”
Luke 23:33When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
Luke 23:41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
Luke 23:56They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
John 7:12There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”
John 10:41Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
John 11:6When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was.
John 16:9about sin, because they don’t believe in me;
John 16:22Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
John 19:24Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.
John 19:32Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;
Acts 1:1The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
Acts 1:5For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:6Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”