Greek · G3756, G1410, G1510, G3101 · unreviewed

οὐ δύναται εἶναί μου μαθητής

The absolute negative (compare ) adverb; no or not · to be able or possible · I exist (used only when emphatic) · disciple

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

οὐ G3756 the absolute negative (compare ) adverb; no or not

Pronunciation ou

Absolute negation of fact, typically with indicative mood; contrasts with μή which negates possibility or commands

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δύναμαι G1410 to be able or possible

Pronunciation dýnamai

Ability from personal power, permission, or circumstance rather than mere possibility

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εἰμί G1510 I exist (used only when emphatic)

Pronunciation eimí

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μαθητής G3101 disciple

Pronunciation mathētḗs

A learner committed to a teacher's instruction and way of life, not merely acquiring knowledge

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What does οὐ δύναται εἶναί μου μαθητής (ou dynatai einai mou mathētēs) mean in the Bible?

οὐ · δύναμαι · εἰμί · μαθητής is a Greek word meaning "is not able to be my disciple".

Full entry for οὐ δύναται εἶναί μου μαθητής (G3756, G1410, G1510, G3101) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

is not able to be my disciple

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Matt 1:25 · Matt 2:18 · Matt 3:11 · Matt 4:4 · Matt 4:7 · Matt 5:14 · Matt 5:17 · Matt 5:18 · Matt 5:20 · Matt 5:21 · Matt 5:26 · Matt 5:27 · Matt 5:33 · Matt 5:36 · Matt 6:1 · Matt 6:5 1537×

Matt 6:26 · Matt 6:30 · Matt 7:22 · Matt 12:3 · Matt 12:5 · Matt 13:55 · Matt 15:17 · Matt 17:24 · Matt 18:33 · Matt 19:4 · Matt 20:15 · Matt 22:31 · Matt 24:2 · Mark 4:21 · Mark 4:38 · Mark 6:3 68×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 209 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 8 ongoing 134 prospective 10 background 19 subjunctive 3 infinitive 8 participle 24 optative 3

Tense

present 171 imperfect 19 future 10 aorist 9

Voice

middle 200 passive 9

Mood

indicative 171 participle 24 infinitive 8 optative 3 subjunctive 3

NT Occurrences

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 Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 16 — The Gospel Enters Macedonia: Opened Hearts, Broken Chains, and Household Faith Acts 19 — The Word of the Lord Grows Mightily in Ephesus Acts 21 — Paul Goes to Jerusalem and Is Seized in the Temple Acts 27 — The Storm, the Shipwreck, and the Promise of God Acts 6 — Word Ministry, Servant Leadership, and Stephen’s Faithful Witness Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor John 11 — The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus John 13 — The Servant-Lord, the Washed Disciples, and the New Command of Love John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 18 — The Arrested King: Betrayal, Sovereign Surrender, Denial, Trial, and the Kingdom Not of This World John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness John 6 — The Bread of Life, the Words of Eternal Life, and the Crisis of True Discipleship John 8 — The Light of the World, True Freedom, and the I AM Before Abraham John 9 — The Man Born Blind, the Light of the World, and the Blindness of Religious Unbelief Luke 14 — Kingdom Humility, Banquet Mercy, and the Cost of Discipleship Luke 21 — The Widow’s Gift, Jerusalem’s Fall, and Watchfulness before the Son of Man Luke 6 — The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 16 — He Has Risen: The Empty Tomb, the Angelic Announcement, Galilee Promise, and Trembling Witness Mark 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 14 — The Death of John, the Compassion of Jesus, and the Son of God over Bread, Sea, and Fear Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 19 — Marriage from Creation, Children Received, Riches Renounced, and the Reward of Following Christ Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest Philippians 4 — Rejoicing, Peace, Contentment, and Gospel Partnership in Christ Romans 14 — Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience Romans 16 — Gospel Partnership, Holy Greeting, False-Teacher Warning, and Doxology to the God Who Establishes

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

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

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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