What does οὐ · θέλω · εἰσέρχομαι mean in the Bible?
οὐ · θέλω · εἰσέρχομαι is a Greek phrase meaning "was not willing to enter".
Greek · G3756, G2309, G1525
οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν
The absolute negative (compare ) adverb; no or not · to will/desire · to enter (literally or figuratively)
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
οὐG3756the absolute negative (compare ) adverb; no or not
Pronunciationou
Absolute negation of fact, typically with indicative mood; contrasts with μή which negates possibility or commands
Open lexicon entry →θέλωG2309to will/desire
Pronunciationthélō
Immediate willing or desire, more emotional and practical than the deliberative choice of βούλομαι.
Open lexicon entry →εἰσέρχομαιG1525to enter (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciationeisérchomai
Entry into physical or spiritual realms; especially salvation's threshold language (kingdom, life, glory, rest).
Open lexicon entry →What does οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν (ouk ēthelen eiselthein) mean in the Bible?
οὐ · θέλω · εἰσέρχομαι is a Greek phrase meaning "was not willing to enter".
Full entry for οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν (G3756, G2309, G1525) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G3756, G2309, G1525?
G3756, G2309, G1525 is connected to 1,605 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. was not willing to enter
Source Gloss
was not willing to enter
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 2 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 patterns2Aligned forms1605
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 6:51537×
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 6:368×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 206 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present158aorist25imperfect23
Voice
active206
Mood
indicative145participle29subjunctive25infinitive4optative3
NT Occurrences
Matthew 1:19θέλωνpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 2:18ἤθελενimperfect active indicativebackgroundMatthew 5:40θέλοντίpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 5:42θέλονταpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 7:12θέλητεpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 8:2θέλῃςpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 8:3Θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 9:13θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 11:14θέλετεpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 12:38θέλομενpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 12:7θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 13:28Θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 14:5θέλωνpresent active participleparticipleMatthew 15:28θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 15:32θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 16:24θέλειpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 16:25θέλῃpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 17:12ἠθέλησανaorist active indicativecompletedMatthew 17:4θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 18:23ἠθέλησενaorist active indicativecompletedMatthew 18:30ἤθελενimperfect active indicativebackgroundMatthew 19:17θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 19:21θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 20:14θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 20:15θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 20:21θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 20:26θέλῃpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 20:27θέλῃpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveMatthew 20:32θέλετεpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 21:29θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 22:3ἤθελονimperfect active indicativebackgroundMatthew 23:37ἠθέλησαaorist active indicativecompletedMatthew 23:37ἠθελήσατεaorist active indicativecompletedMatthew 23:4θέλουσινpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 26:15θέλετέpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 26:17θέλειςpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 26:39θέλωpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 27:15ἤθελονimperfect active indicativebackgroundMatthew 27:17θέλετεpresent active indicativeongoingMatthew 27:21θέλετεpresent active indicativeongoing+166 more 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 Origins
οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν is a primary word - no further derivation.