πότε

when, at what time

Definition

The Greek adverb πότε is an interrogative word meaning 'when?' or 'at what time?'. It is used to ask questions about the timing of future events, as when the disciples ask Jesus about the sign of his coming and the end of the age in Matthew 24:3 and Mark 13:4. It can also express a sense of indefinite time or 'ever' in rhetorical questions, often conveying frustration or lament over a prolonged situation, such as Jesus's cry, 'How long shall I be with you?' in Matthew 17:17 and Mark 9:19. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:37-44), the righteous and the unrighteous repeatedly use πότε to ask when they saw Jesus in need, highlighting their unawareness of the timing of their acts of mercy.

Biblical Usage

Πότε is used exclusively in direct questions within the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Its usage falls into two primary contexts: questions about prophetic or eschatological timing (e.g., Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4) and expressions of exasperation or lament in rhetorical questions (e.g., Matthew 17:17, Luke 17:20). It is often found in the mouth of Jesus himself or his disciples, probing the timing of God's kingdom and judgment.

Etymology

Πότε is a primary interrogative adverb in Greek, derived from the same root as other interrogatives like ποῦ (pou, 'where?') and πῶς (pōs, 'how?'). It is related to the indefinite adverb ποτέ (pote), which can mean 'at some time' or 'once.' This connection highlights how the word fundamentally concerns time, whether asking for a specific point or referring to an indefinite one.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it focuses human inquiry on divine timing, especially regarding eschatology and the coming of God's kingdom. When the disciples ask πότε in Matthew 24:3, they are seeking to understand God's prophetic schedule, a concern Jesus redirects toward watchfulness and faithfulness. Jesus's use of πότε in laments (Matthew 17:17) also touches on the tension between human impatience and God's perfect timing, enriching our reading of passages about faith, patience, and the 'day and hour' known only to the Father.

In the Greco-Roman world, questions about the timing of future events, whether political, philosophical, or religious, were common. The use of πότε in the New Testament taps into this universal human concern for knowing 'when,' but it is uniquely framed within Jewish apocalyptic expectation and the Christian hope for Christ's return. The rhetorical use to express prolonged frustration would also have been a familiar conversational pattern.

ὅταν (hotan, G3752) — a conjunction meaning 'whenever,' indicating a general or conditional time, not a specific question like πότε. ποτέ (pote, G4218) — an indefinite adverb meaning 'at some time,' 'once,' or 'ever,' differing from the interrogative πότε.

Word Details

Scripture References