Greek · G4190, G4151 · unreviewed
πνευμάτων πονηρῶν
Evil/bad · spirit/breath: spirit
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.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
πονηρός G4190 evil/bad
Pronunciation ponērós
Moral or physical badness; notably used for Satan as "the evil one" in spiritual warfare contexts.
Open lexicon entry →
πνεῦμα G4151 spirit/breath: spirit
Pronunciation pneûma
Spirit as the immaterial dimension of human existence, or God's transformative power, distinct from soul and body.
Open lexicon entry →
What does πνευμάτων πονηρῶν (pneumatōn ponērōn) mean in the Bible?
πονηρός · πνεῦμα is a Greek word meaning "evil spirits".
Full entry for πνευμάτων πονηρῶν (G4190, G4151) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
evil spirits
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 6:23 · Matt 12:35 · Matt 13:19 · Matt 20:15 · Mark 7:22 · Luke 6:45 · Luke 11:34 · 1 John 5:18 8×
Nominative · Plural · Masculine Matt 7:11 · Matt 12:34 · Matt 15:19 · Luke 11:13 · 2 Tim 3:13 5×
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 12:39 · Matt 16:4 · Luke 11:29 · Heb 3:12 · Jas 4:16 5×
Nominative · Plural · Neuter Mark 7:23 · John 3:19 · John 7:7 · 1 John 3:12 4×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Acts 18:14 · Acts 19:15 · Acts 19:16 · Rev 16:2 4×
Nominative · Plural · Feminine Eph 5:16 · 1 Tim 6:4 2×
Genitive · Singular · Masculine Matt 5:37 · Matt 12:35 · Matt 13:38 · Luke 6:45 · John 17:15 · Gal 1:4 · Eph 6:16 · 2 Thess 3:3 · 1 John 3:12 9×
Genitive · Plural · Neuter Luke 3:19 · Luke 7:21 · Luke 8:2 · Acts 25:18 4×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter Matt 6:13 · 1 Thess 5:22 · 2 Tim 4:18 3×
Genitive · Plural · Masculine 2 Thess 3:2 · Jas 2:4 2×
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.
1 Corinthians 2 — The Spirit Reveals What the Cross Conceals from the Natural Mind Acts 1 — The Risen Christ Commissions His Waiting Witnesses Acts 11 — Jerusalem Recognizes God’s Grace to the Gentiles Acts 15 — The Gospel of Grace Clarified and the Gentiles Received Acts 16 — The Gospel Enters Macedonia: Opened Hearts, Broken Chains, and Household Faith Acts 17 — The Gospel Reasoned from Scripture and Proclaimed to the Nations Acts 19 — The Word of the Lord Grows Mightily in Ephesus Acts 2 — The Spirit Comes and Christ Is Proclaimed Acts 20 — Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God Acts 21 — Paul Goes to Jerusalem and Is Seized in the Temple Acts 23 — The Lord Stands Near Paul and Preserves His Witness Acts 28 — Paul in Rome: The Kingdom Proclaimed Without Hindrance Acts 4 — Christ Alone Saves and His Witnesses Speak Boldly Acts 5 — Holy Fear, Bold Witness, and Joyful Suffering Acts 6 — Word Ministry, Servant Leadership, and Stephen’s Faithful Witness Acts 8 — The Scattered Church Carries Christ Beyond Jerusalem Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor Galatians 3 — Faith, Promise, and the Curse-Bearing Christ Galatians 4 — No Longer Slaves: Sonship, Pastoral Anguish, and Children of Promise Galatians 5 — Stand Firm in Freedom: Faith Working Through Love and Life by the Spirit Galatians 6 — Boasting Only in the Cross: Spirit-Shaped Community and New Creation John 1 — The Word Made Flesh, Witnessed, and Followed John 14 — The Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Father Revealed in the Son, and the Promise of the Spirit John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 16 — The Spirit’s Convicting Witness, the Disciples’ Sorrow Turned to Joy, and Christ’s Victory over the World John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love 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 3 — New Birth, Lifted-Up Son, and the Love of God for the World John 4 — Living Water, True Worship, and the Savior of the World John 6 — The Bread of Life, the Words of Eternal Life, and the Crisis of True Discipleship John 7 — The Feast, the Divided Crowd, and the Living Water of Jesus Luke 1 — The Promised Savior Announced in the Fullness of Time Luke 10 — The Kingdom Mission Expanded, Mercy Defined, and the Better Portion Chosen Luke 11 — Prayer, Kingdom Conflict, True Hearing, and the Exposure of Hypocrisy Luke 12 — Fear God, Confess Christ, Seek the Kingdom, and Be Ready Luke 23 — The Innocent King Condemned, Crucified with Transgressors, and Buried in Hope Luke 24 — The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing Luke 3 — The Way Prepared, the Son Revealed, and the Lineage Traced Luke 4 — The Spirit-Anointed Son Tested, Rejected, and Proclaiming the Kingdom Luke 8 — The Word Heard, the Kingdom Revealed, and the Lord’s Authority Displayed Mark 1 — The Beginning of the Gospel: The Servant-King Appears with Authority Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering 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 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 5 — The Authority of Jesus over Demons, Disease, and Death Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Mark 7 — True Defilement and Boundary-Crossing Mercy Mark 9 — Glory, Unbelief, Suffering, Humility, and Radical Discipleship Matthew 1 — The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus the Messiah Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 12 — The Lord of the Sabbath, the Servant of the Lord, and the Crisis of Unbelief Matthew 13 — The Kingdom in Parables: Hearing, Hiddenness, Growth, Worth, and Judgment Matthew 15 — Tradition, the Heart, Gentile Faith, and the Compassionate Bread of the Messiah 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 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 25 — Readiness, Stewardship, and the Final Judgment of the Son of Man Matthew 27 — Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Dead, Buried, and Guarded Matthew 28 — The Resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission of the Risen King Matthew 3 — The Forerunner, the Kingdom, and the Beloved Son Matthew 4 — The Tested Son, the Kingdom Proclaimed, and the First Disciples Called Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Matthew 6 — Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest Philippians 2 — The Mind of Christ and the Humility of Gospel Witness Philippians 3 — Counting All Things Loss and Pressing On Toward Christ Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy Romans 14 — Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles Romans 2 — God’s Righteous Judgment and the Exposure of Religious Presumption Romans 5 — Peace with God, Rejoicing in Grace, and Life Through the One Man Jesus Christ Romans 7 — Released from the Law, Exposed by the Law, and Crying Out for Deliverance Romans 8 — No Condemnation, Life in the Spirit, and the Unbreakable Love of God in Christ
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain