οὐδείς

no one, none, nothing

Definition

Οὐδείς is a strong, emphatic adjective meaning 'no one,' 'none,' or 'nothing.' It functions to absolutely negate a person, thing, or concept, often carrying a sense of totality or complete absence. For example, it can negate the existence of a person, as in 'no one knows the Son except the Father' (Matthew 11:27), or negate the possibility of an action, as in 'you cannot serve two masters' (Matthew 6:24, where 'no one' is implied). In some contexts, like the rich young ruler asking 'what good thing must I do?' and Jesus replying 'No one is good except God alone' (Matthew 19:17), it makes a profound theological statement by excluding all but one.

Biblical Usage

This word is used frequently throughout the New Testament (224 times) to express absolute negation in various contexts: ethical teaching (Matthew 6:24), miracles and faith (Matthew 17:20), Christological revelation (Matthew 11:27), and proverbial sayings (Matthew 9:16). It appears in narrative, discourse, and epistolary literature, often strengthening a statement by ruling out all exceptions. A common pattern is its use in double negative constructions for emphasis, as in 'nothing is hidden that will not be made known' (Matthew 10:26).

Etymology

Derived from the combination of the negative adverb οὐ (ou, 'not') and the numeral εἷς (heis, 'one'). Literally, it means 'not one.' This formation emphasizes negation at the level of a single unit, which then extends to mean 'no one' or 'nothing' in a comprehensive sense. It is a strengthened form of the simple negative.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is often used to frame exclusive truths, particularly concerning the uniqueness of God and Christ. In Matthew 19:17 and Mark 10:18, Jesus uses οὐδείς to declare that 'No one is good except God alone,' defining goodness as an exclusive divine attribute. In Matthew 11:27, it underscores the exclusive, reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son. Understanding this strong negation enriches reading by highlighting the Bible's absolute claims about God's nature and the singular role of Jesus in revelation and salvation.

In the Greco-Roman world, this strong negation was a common rhetorical device in philosophy and debate to make definitive, universal statements. Its use in the New Testament would have been heard with its full emphatic force, contrasting with the pluralistic religious environment. There is no significant cultural difference from the modern understanding of 'no one' or 'nothing,' though its rhetorical weight in authoritative teaching was pronounced.

μηδείς (mēdeis, G3367) — a negative adjective often used in prohibitions, conditional statements, or with subjunctive mood, whereas οὐδείς is typically used in factual declarations. οὐ (ou, G3756) — a simple negative adverb ('not'), less emphatic than the compound οὐδείς. μή (mē, G3361) — another negative adverb, often used in warnings, commands, or hypothetical situations.

Word Details

Scripture References