"this, this person or thing, Mt. 3:3, 9, 17; 8:9; 10:2; 24:34, et al. freq.; used by way of contempt, this fellow, Mt. 13:55; 27:47; αὐτὸ τοῦτο, this very thing, this same thing, 2 Cor. 2:3; 7:11; εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, and elliptically, αὐτὸ τοῦτο, for this same purpose, on this account..."
Definition and meaning
this, this person or thing, Mt. 3:3, 9, 17; 8:9; 10:2; 24:34, et al. freq.; used by way of contempt, this fellow, Mt. 13:55; 27:47; αὐτὸ τοῦτο, this very thing, this same thing, 2 Cor. 2:3; 7:11; εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, and elliptically, αὐτὸ τοῦτο, for this same purpose, on this account, Eph. 6:18, 22; 2 Pet. 1:5; καὶ οὗτος, and moreover, Lk. 7:12; 16:1; 20:30; καὶ τοῦτο, and that too, 1 Cor. 6:6, 8; tοῦτο μὲν ... τοῦτο δέ, partly ... partly, Heb. 10:33
In the original Greek the word is written: οὗτος
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 houtos (G3778) across the King James Bible.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
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Common questions
Strong's G3778 (houtos) is a Greek word that means: this, this person or thing, Mt. 3:3, 9, 17; 8:9; 10:2; 24:34, et al. freq.; used by way of contempt, this fellow, Mt. 13:55; 27:47; αὐτὸ τοῦτο, this very thing, this same thing, 2 Cor. 2:3; 7:11; εἰς ... It appears 335 times in the King James Bible.
The word houtos (G3778) appears 335 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3778 is houtos, a Greek word defined as: this, this person or thing, Mt. 3:3, 9, 17; 8:9; 10:2; 24:34, et al. freq.; used by way of contempt, this fellow, Mt. 13:55; 27:47; αὐτὸ τοῦτο, this v. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
houtos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.