What does μή · κωλύω · αὐτός mean in the Bible?
μή · κωλύω · αὐτός is a Greek phrase meaning "(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas expects an affirmative one)) whether".
Greek · G3361, G2967, G846
μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά
Not · to prevent · it/s/he
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
μήG3361not
Pronunciationmḗ
Subjective negation: denies what one thinks or believes, not absolute fact; used with non-indicative moods
Open lexicon entry →κωλύωG2967to prevent
Pronunciationkōlýō
Means to obstruct or forbid actively, often preventing someone from doing something desired.
Open lexicon entry →αὐτόςG846it/s/he
Pronunciationautós
In oblique cases, functions as simple third-person pronoun; in nominative, emphasizes identity or distinction.
Open lexicon entry →What does μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά (mē kōlyete auta) mean in the Bible?
μή · κωλύω · αὐτός is a Greek phrase meaning "(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas expects an affirmative one)) whether".
Full entry for μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά (G3361, G2967, G846) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G3361, G2967, G846?
G3361, G2967, G846 is connected to 1,036 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas expects an affirmative one)) whether
Source Gloss
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas expects an affirmative one)) whether
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 3 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 patterns3Aligned forms1036
Matt 1:19 · Matt 1:20 · Matt 2:12 · Matt 3:9 · Matt 3:10 · Matt 5:13 · Matt 5:17 · Matt 5:18 · Matt 5:20 · Matt 5:26 · Matt 5:29 · Matt 5:30 · Matt 5:34 · Matt 5:39 · Matt 5:42 · Matt 6:1945×
Matt 7:9 · Matt 7:10 · Matt 9:15 · Matt 11:23 · Mark 2:19 · Luke 5:34 · Luke 10:15 · Luke 17:9 · Luke 18:7 · Luke 22:35 · John 3:4 · John 4:12 · John 4:33 · John 6:67 · John 7:31 · John 7:3557×
Matt 18:10 · Matt 24:4 · Mark 13:5 · Mark 13:36 · Luke 11:35 · Luke 21:8 · Acts 5:26 · Acts 13:40 · Acts 23:10 · Acts 27:17 · Acts 27:29 · Acts 27:42 · 1 Cor 8:9 · 1 Cor 9:27 · 1 Cor 10:12 · 2 Cor 2:734×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 23 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present13aorist8imperfect2
Voice
active20passive3
Mood
indicative8imperative6participle4infinitive4subjunctive1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 19:14κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperativeMark 9:38ἐκωλύομενimperfect active indicativebackgroundMark 9:39κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperativeMark 10:14κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperativeLuke 6:29κωλύσῃςaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveLuke 9:49ἐκωλύομενimperfect active indicativebackgroundLuke 9:50κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperativeLuke 11:52ἐκωλύσατεaorist active indicativecompletedLuke 18:16κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperativeLuke 23:2κωλύονταpresent active participleparticipleActs 8:36κωλύειpresent active indicativeongoingActs 10:47κωλῦσαίaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveActs 11:17κωλῦσαιaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveActs 16:6κωλυθέντεςaorist passive participleparticipleActs 24:23κωλύεινpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveActs 27:43ἐκώλυσενaorist active indicativecompletedRomans 1:13ἐκωλύθηνaorist passive indicativecompleted1 Corinthians 14:39κωλύετεpresent active imperativeimperative1 Thessalonians 2:16κωλυόντωνpresent active participleparticiple1 Timothy 4:3κωλυόντωνpresent active participleparticipleHebrews 7:23κωλύεσθαιpresent passive infinitiveinfinitive2 Peter 2:16ἐκώλυσενaorist active indicativecompleted3 John 1:10κωλύειpresent active indicativeongoing
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Origins
μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά is built from this root: