What does ἔθνος (éthnos) mean in the Bible?
Ethnos means nation, people group, or Gentiles, depending on context. The word can name the nations broadly, Gentiles in distinction from Israel, or peoples who receive the gospel.
Greek · G1484
ἔθνος
Gentiles
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ἔθνος G1484
Pronunciation éthnos
What does ἔθνος (éthnos) mean in the Bible?
Ethnos means nation, people group, or Gentiles, depending on context. The word can name the nations broadly, Gentiles in distinction from Israel, or peoples who receive the gospel.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἔθνος (G1484) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G1484?
The BSB source-word alignment has 163 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Gentiles (63), nations (35), Nation (25), [the] Gentiles (11), people (4).
Where does ἔθνος (éthnos) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 4:15. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (43), Romans (29), Revelation (23), Matthew (15).
Are there verse guides for ἔθνος (éthnos)?
This entry includes 2 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
Ethnos means nation, people group, or Gentiles, depending on context. The word can name the nations broadly, Gentiles in distinction from Israel, or peoples who receive the gospel. Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations. Luke says repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. Acts shows Jewish believers astonished that the Spirit is poured out even on Gentiles, and Paul applies Isaiah's light-to-the-Gentiles promise to gospel mission.
Galatians says Scripture foresaw Gentile justification by faith in the promise to Abraham. Revelation shows worshipers from every nation before the Lamb. Ethnos therefore joins promise, mission, inclusion, and final worship.
How the Bible Uses It
Ethnos is a key word for the nations and Gentiles in the New Testament. It can mark peoples outside Israel, the scope of Jesus' commission, the surprise of Gentile inclusion, the Abrahamic promise of justification by faith, and the final multi-nation worshiping people before the Lamb.
- Matt.28.19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The risen Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations. Ethnos here sets the global scope of mission under Christ's authority.
- Luke.24.47
And in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
Repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed to all nations beginning in Jerusalem. The word joins mission to the gospel message itself.
- Acts.10.45
All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
Jewish believers are astonished that the Spirit is poured out on Gentiles. Ethnos marks the boundary crossed by God's gift.
- Acts.13.47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Paul and Barnabas apply the light-to-the-Gentiles promise to their mission. The word belongs to Scripture-fulfilled outreach, not human novelty.
- Gal.3.8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
Paul says Scripture foresaw Gentile justification by faith in the Abrahamic promise. Ethnos reaches back to God's blessing of the nations.
- Rev.7.9
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
The final multitude includes every nation, tribe, people, and tongue before the Lamb. Ethnos reaches its worshiping goal in redemption.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It Gentiles 63× Matthew 4:15, Matthew 6:32, Matthew 10:18, Matthew 20:19
nations 35× Matthew 12:18, Matthew 24:9, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 25:32
Nation 25× Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 7:5, Luke 21:10
[the] Gentiles 11× Luke 21:24, Acts 4:27, Acts 15:23, Acts 22:21
people 4× John 18:35, Acts 8:9, Acts 24:17, Acts 26:4
to [the] Gentiles 3× Luke 2:32, Acts 21:11, Romans 11:13
[the] nations 2× Matthew 12:21, 1 Timothy 3:16
a nation 2× Romans 10:19
for [the] Gentiles 2× Acts 13:47, Romans 11:12
Gentile 2× Acts 21:25, Galatians 2:15
of [the] Gentiles 2× Luke 21:24, 1 Timothy 2:7
pagans 2× 1 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 12:2
[the God] of Gentiles 1× Romans 3:29
[them] 1× Acts 15:14
{do} the nations 1× Acts 4:25
among the nations 1× Luke 21:25
O Gentiles 1× Romans 15:10
of Gentiles 1× Romans 3:29
of pagans 1× 1 Corinthians 10:20
of the Gentiles 1× Matthew 10:5
to a people 1× Matthew 21:43
to Gentiles 1× 1 Corinthians 1:23
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 4:15 ἐθνῶν to Gentiles Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural Matthew 6:32 ἔθνη to Gentiles Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural Matthew 10:5 ἐθνῶν to of the Gentiles Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural Matthew 10:18 ἔθνεσιν to Gentiles Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Matthew 12:18 ἔθνεσιν to nations Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Matthew 12:21 ἔθνη to [the] nations Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural Matthew 20:19 ἔθνεσιν to Gentiles Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Matthew 20:25 ἐθνῶν to Gentiles Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural Matthew 21:43 ἔθνει to to a people Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Matthew 24:7 ἔθνος to Nation Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 4:15
Aligned rows 163
Books represented 16
Matthew 15 Mark 6 Luke 13 John 5 Acts 43 Romans 29 1 Corinthians 4 2 Corinthians 1 Galatians 10 Ephesians 5 Colossians 1 1 Thessalonians 2 1 Timothy 2 2 Timothy 1 1 Peter 3 Revelation 23
Source forms
ἔθνη 52x ethnē Matthew 6:32, Matthew 12:21, Matthew 25:32, Matthew 28:19
ἐθνῶν 46x ethnōn Matthew 4:15, Matthew 10:5, Matthew 20:25, Matthew 24:9
ἔθνεσιν 32x ethnesin Matthew 10:18, Matthew 12:18, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 24:14
ἔθνος 18x ethnos Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 7:5, Luke 21:10
ἔθνει 7x ethnei Matthew 21:43, Acts 10:35, Acts 24:2, Acts 24:10
ἔθνους 7x ethnous John 11:51, John 11:52, Acts 2:5, Acts 10:22
ἔθνη) 1x ethnē 1 Corinthians 10:20
Parsing patterns
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural 46x Matthew 4:15, Matthew 10:5, Matthew 20:25, Matthew 24:9
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural 32x Matthew 10:18, Matthew 12:18, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 24:14
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural 26x Matthew 28:19, Mark 13:10, Luke 21:24, Luke 24:47
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural 25x Matthew 6:32, Matthew 12:21, Matthew 25:32, Luke 12:30
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular 12x Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 7:5, Luke 21:10
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular 7x Matthew 21:43, Acts 10:35, Acts 24:2, Acts 24:10
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular 7x John 11:51, John 11:52, Acts 2:5, Acts 10:22
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular 6x Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:10, John 11:50
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Use this word to strengthen mission, humility, and confidence in God's promise.
- Keep the Abrahamic promise, Christ's commission, Spirit-given inclusion, and final worship together.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that ethnos always means the same thing as a modern nation-state.
- Do not claim that mission to the nations removes the need for repentance, forgiveness, and discipleship.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Revelation 22:2 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν. ethnon Gentiles The grammar reinforces that the healing is outward-looking and communal, but the surrounding vision supplies the main meaning. Read verse guide Romans 3:29 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν; ethnon Gentiles The form helps the verse name the Gentile group in a direct, relational way, sharpening the inclusive scope of the rhetorical answer. Read verse guide Evidence Summary
Greek word. Singular form means a nation or people group; plural means non-Jewish peoples, the Gentiles.
Source Gloss
Gentiles
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 164 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
Matthew 4:15 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν, eqnwn
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 6:32 Noun Nominative Plural Neuter
ἔθνη eqnh
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 10:5 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν eqnwn
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 10:18 Noun Dative Plural Neuter
ἔθνεσιν. eqnesin
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 12:18 Noun Dative Plural Neuter
ἔθνεσιν eqnesin
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 12:21 Noun Nominative Plural Neuter
ἔθνη eqnh
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 20:19 Noun Dative Plural Neuter
ἔθνεσιν eqnesin
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 20:25 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν eqnwn
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 21:43 Noun Dative Singular Neuter
ἔθνει eqnei
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 24:7 Noun Nominative Singular Neuter
ἔθνος eqnov
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 24:7 Noun Accusative Singular Neuter
ἔθνος, eqnov
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 24:9 Noun Genitive Plural Neuter
ἐθνῶν eqnwn
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 24:14 Noun Dative Plural Neuter
ἔθνεσι· eqnesin
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 25:32 Noun Nominative Plural Neuter
ἔθνη, eqnh
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Matthew 28:19 Noun Accusative Plural Neuter
ἔθνη, eqnh
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verse Mark 10:33 Noun Dative Plural Neuter
ἔθνεσι, eqnesin
a race, people, the Gentiles
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 9 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 9 Aligned forms 160 Case pattern Genitive (52) Number pattern Plural (128)
Nominative · Plural · Neuter Matt 6:32 · Matt 12:21 · Matt 25:32 · Luke 12:30 · Acts 4:25 · Acts 11:1 · Acts 13:48 · Acts 15:17 · Rom 2:14 · Rom 9:30 · Rom 15:11 · Rom 15:12 · Rom 15:27 · 1 Cor 12:2 · Gal 3:8 · Eph 2:11 25×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Matt 24:7 · Mark 13:8 · Luke 21:10 · John 11:50 · John 18:35 · 1 Pet 2:9 6×
Genitive · Plural · Neuter Matt 4:15 · Matt 10:5 · Matt 20:25 · Matt 24:9 · Mark 10:42 · Luke 2:32 · Luke 21:24 · Luke 21:25 · Luke 22:25 · Acts 7:45 · Acts 9:15 · Acts 13:47 · Acts 14:2 · Acts 14:5 · Acts 15:3 · Acts 15:14 45×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter John 11:51 · John 11:52 · Acts 2:5 · Acts 10:22 · Acts 28:19 · Rev 5:9 · Rev 7:9 7×
Dative · Plural · Neuter Matt 10:18 · Matt 12:18 · Matt 20:19 · Matt 24:14 · Mark 10:33 · Mark 11:17 · Luke 18:32 · Acts 4:27 · Acts 11:18 · Acts 14:27 · Acts 15:12 · Acts 21:19 · Acts 26:20 · Acts 26:23 · Acts 28:28 · Rom 1:5 32×
Dative · Singular · Neuter Matt 21:43 · Acts 10:35 · Acts 24:2 · Acts 24:10 · Acts 26:4 · Rom 10:19 7×
Accusative · Plural · Neuter Matt 28:19 · Mark 13:10 · Luke 21:24 · Luke 24:47 · Acts 10:45 · Acts 13:19 · Acts 13:46 · Acts 14:16 · Acts 15:7 · Acts 18:6 · Acts 21:21 · Acts 22:21 · Rom 15:9 · Rom 15:16 · Gal 2:8 · Gal 2:9 25×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter Matt 24:7 · Mark 13:8 · Luke 7:5 · Luke 21:10 · Luke 23:2 · John 11:48 · Acts 7:7 · Acts 8:9 · Acts 17:26 · Acts 24:17 · Rev 13:7 · Rev 14:6 12×
Vocative · Plural · Neuter Rom 15:10 1×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
New Testament Witnesses
Nations or non-Jewish peoples.
Nations or peoples.
Additional Occurrences
John 11:45-57 ἔθνος éthnos
nation, people group
Showing 3 selected witnesses from 160 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
ἔθνος is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Expands scope beyond Israel. Acts 15:12-21
Identifies the scope of God’s saving purpose. Acts 22:17-21
Highlights the global scope of the gospel.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Ethnos gives the church a mission word with deep roots. The nations are not an optional audience added after Israel's story fails. The promise to Abraham already looked toward blessing for all nations, and the risen Christ commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations. Luke keeps the order clear: proclamation begins from Jerusalem and moves outward with repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' name.
Acts shows the shock and joy of Gentile inclusion by the Spirit. Revelation shows the goal, not cultural erasure but redeemed worship from every nation before the Lamb. Ethnos therefore supports mission, humility, and hope.
Anchor passage
Matt.28.19
Doctrinal connections
- Matthew 28:18-20: all-nations mission rests on the risen Christ's authority.
- Luke 24:46-49: proclamation to all nations centers on repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' name.
- Acts 10:44-48: the Spirit's gift confirms Gentile inclusion in Christ.
- Acts 13:47: Isaiah's light-to-the-nations promise frames apostolic mission.
- Galatians 3:8-14: Gentile justification by faith fulfills the Abrahamic promise.
- Revelation 7:9-10: the redeemed from every nation worship before the throne and the Lamb.
Ethnos can mean nation, people, or Gentiles. In many New Testament contexts the plural refers to Gentiles as the nations outside Israel, but mission and worship contexts can stress all peoples rather than one ethnic category.
From Old to New Testament
Genesis promises blessing for all nations through Abraham's seed. The prophets expect the nations to see the Lord's salvation. The New Testament proclaims that this promise is fulfilled through Christ and carried to the nations by the gospel.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain