"can function as an improper prep., outwardly, externally, Mt. 23:27, 28; Mk. 7:15; ὁ, ἡ, τὸ ἔξωθεν, outer, external, Mt. 23:25; Lk. 11:39; τὸ ἔξωθεν, the exterior, Lk. 11:40; οἱ ἔξωθεν, those who are without the Christian community, 1 Tim. 3:7"
Definition and meaning
can function as an improper prep., outwardly, externally, Mt. 23:27, 28; Mk. 7:15; ὁ, ἡ, τὸ ἔξωθεν, outer, external, Mt. 23:25; Lk. 11:39; τὸ ἔξωθεν, the exterior, Lk. 11:40; οἱ ἔξωθεν, those who are without the Christian community, 1 Tim. 3:7
In the original Greek the word is written: ἔξωθεν
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of exothen (G1855) across the King James Bible.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G1855 (exothen) is a Greek word that means: can function as an improper prep., outwardly, externally, Mt. 23:27, 28; Mk. 7:15; ὁ, ἡ, τὸ ἔξωθεν, outer, external, Mt. 23:25; Lk. 11:39; τὸ ἔξωθεν, the exterior, Lk. 11:40; οἱ ἔξωθεν, those who are ... It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word exothen (G1855) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1855 is exothen, a Greek word defined as: can function as an improper prep., outwardly, externally, Mt. 23:27, 28; Mk. 7:15; ὁ, ἡ, τὸ ἔξωθεν, outer, external, Mt. 23:25; Lk. 11:39; τὸ ἔξωθεν, . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
exothen is a Greek word found in the New Testament.