The Koine Greek adverb ὀπίσω (opisō) serves as the primary expression for “back” in the sense of directional return, rearward position, and following behind. This versatile word appears throughout the New Testament and Septuagint, functioning both as a pure adverb and as an improper preposition governing the genitive case.
Unlike English, which uses “back” for multiple contexts (directional, temporal, physical location), Koine Greek distributes these meanings across several terms. The adverb ὀπίσω specifically denotes spatial and directional “back” — looking back, turning back, going back — while the related πάλιν (palin) typically expresses “again” or “back again” in the sense of repetition or return to a previous state.
In the New Testament, ὀπίσω appears in spiritually significant contexts: Jesus calling disciples to come “after” him (δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου), warnings against looking back (Luke 9:62), and Paul’s exhortation to forget what lies behind (Philippians 3:13). The word carries weight both literally and metaphorically.
The fifteen examples in Section A demonstrate ὀπίσω in progressively complex constructions — from simple adverbial use to prepositional phrases with genitive objects. The genre section presents a continuous narrative featuring the call of disciples by the sea.
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FAQ: What does ὀπίσω mean in Koine Greek? The adverb ὀπίσω (opisō) means “back,” “behind,” or “backwards” in Koine Greek. It can function as a simple adverb indicating direction (εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω = backwards) or as an improper preposition with the genitive case meaning “after” or “behind” someone (ὀπίσω μου = after me / behind me). The word appears 35 times in the New Testament and is essential for expressing concepts of following, returning, and looking back.
Key Takeaways -
ὀπίσω functions as both adverb (”backwards”) and preposition with genitive (”after/behind”) -
Common expressions: εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω (backwards), τὰ ὀπίσω (the things behind) -
Frequently paired with motion verbs: ἔρχομαι, πορεύομαι, στρέφω, βλέπω -
Distinguished from πάλιν (palin), which means “again” or “back again” -
Carries both literal and metaphorical significance in New Testament usage
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55.1a ὁ the ἄνθρωπος man ἐστράφη turned ὀπίσω back
55.1b ho (ho) the ánthrōpos (ÁN-throh-pos) man estráphē (e-STRÁ-phee) turned opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back
55.2a βλέπω I-look εἰς to τὰ the-things ὀπίσω back
55.2b blépō (BLEH-poh) I-look eis (eis) to ta (ta) the-things opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back
55.3a μὴ not ἐπιστρέψῃς turn-back-SUBJ ὀπίσω back
55.3b mē (mee) not epistrepsēs (e-pi-STREP-sees) turn-back-SUBJ opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back
55.4a ἀπῆλθον they-went-away ὀπίσω back αὐτοῦ of-him-GEN
55.4b apēlthon (a-PEEL-thon) they-went-away opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back autoû (aw-TOO) of-him-GEN
55.5a δεῦτε come-PL ὀπίσω after μου me-GEN
55.5b deûte (DEF-te) come-PL opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after mou (moo) me-GEN
55.6a ὁ the μαθητής disciple ἠκολούθησεν followed ὀπίσω after τοῦ the-GEN διδασκάλου teacher-GEN
55.6b ho (ho) the mathētḗs (ma-thee-TEES) disciple ēkoloúthēsen (ee-ko-LOO-thee-sen) followed opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after toû (too) the-GEN didaskálou (di-da-SKA-loo) teacher-GEN
55.7a οἱ the ἄνδρες men ἐπορεύοντο were-going ὀπίσω back εἰς to τὴν the πόλιν city
55.7b hoi (hoy) the ándres (AN-dres) men eporeúonto (e-po-REF-on-to) were-going opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back eis (eis) to tēn (teen) the pólin (PO-lin) city
55.8a τὰ the-things μὲν indeed ὀπίσω behind ἐπιλανθανόμενος forgetting
55.8b ta (ta) the-things mèn (men) indeed opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind epilanthanómenos (e-pi-lan-tha-NO-me-nos) forgetting
55.9a ἡ the γυνή woman εἱστήκει was-standing ὀπίσω behind αὐτοῦ him-GEN
55.9b hē (hee) the gunḗ (gu-NEE) woman heistḗkei (hei-STEE-kei) was-standing opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind autoû (aw-TOO) him-GEN
55.10a ὕπαγε go-away ὀπίσω behind μου me-GEN Σατανᾶ Satan-VOC
55.10b húpage (HÚ-pa-ge) go-away opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind mou (moo) me-GEN Satanâ (sa-ta-NA) Satan-VOC
55.11a οὐδεὶς no-one βαλὼν having-put τὴν the χεῖρα hand ἐπ᾽ upon ἄροτρον plow καὶ and βλέπων looking εἰς to τὰ the-things ὀπίσω behind εὔθετός fit ἐστιν is
55.11b oudeìs (oo-DEIS) no-one balṑn (ba-LOHN) having-put tēn (teen) the cheîra (KHEI-ra) hand ep’ (ep) upon árotron (A-rot-ron) plow kaì (kai) and blépōn (BLEH-pohn) looking eis (eis) to ta (ta) the-things opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind eúthetos (EF-the-tos) fit estin (ES-tin) is
55.12a ἔρχεται comes ὁ the-one ἰσχυρότερός stronger μου me-GEN ὀπίσω after μου me-GEN
55.12b érchetai (ER-khe-tai) comes ho (ho) the-one ischuróteros (is-khu-RO-te-ros) stronger mou (moo) me-GEN opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after mou (moo) me-GEN
55.13a ἐκ from τούτου this πολλοὶ many ἀπῆλθον went-away εἰς to τὰ the-things ὀπίσω back καὶ and οὐκέτι no-longer μετ᾽ with αὐτοῦ him-GEN περιεπάτουν walked
55.13b ek (ek) from toútou (TOO-too) this polloì (pol-LOI) many apēlthon (a-PEEL-thon) went-away eis (eis) to ta (ta) the-things opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back kaì (kai) and oukéti (oo-KE-ti) no-longer met’ (met) with autoû (aw-TOO) him-GEN periepatoun (pe-ri-e-PA-toon) walked
55.14a ταῦτα these-things εἰποῦσα having-said ἐστράφη she-turned εἰς to τὰ the-things ὀπίσω back καὶ and θεωρεῖ sees τὸν the Ἰησοῦν Jesus-ACC
55.14b taûta (TAF-ta) these-things eipoûsa (ei-POO-sa) having-said estráphē (e-STRÁ-phee) she-turned eis (eis) to ta (ta) the-things opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back kaì (kai) and theōreî (the-oh-REI) sees tòn (ton) the Iēsoûn (ee-e-SOON) Jesus-ACC
55.15a εἴ if τις anyone θέλει wishes ὀπίσω after μου me-GEN ἐλθεῖν to-come ἀπαρνησάσθω let-him-deny ἑαυτόν himself
55.15b eí (ei) if tis (tis) anyone thélei (THE-lei) wishes opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after mou (moo) me-GEN eltheîn (el-THEIN) to-come aparnēsásthō (a-par-nee-SAS-thoh) let-him-deny heautón (heh-aw-TON) himself
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55.1 ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐστράφη ὀπίσω. ho ánthrōpos estráphē opisō. “The man turned back.”
55.2 βλέπω εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. blépō eis ta opisō. “I look backwards.”
55.3 μὴ ἐπιστρέψῃς ὀπίσω. mē epistrepsēs opisō. “Do not turn back.”
55.4 ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. apēlthon opisō autoû. “They went away after him.”
55.5 δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. deûte opisō mou. “Come after me.”
55.6 ὁ μαθητὴς ἠκολούθησεν ὀπίσω τοῦ διδασκάλου. ho mathētḕs ēkoloúthēsen opisō toû didaskálou. “The disciple followed after the teacher.”
55.7 οἱ ἄνδρες ἐπορεύοντο ὀπίσω εἰς τὴν πόλιν. hoi ándres eporeúonto opisō eis tēn pólin. “The men were going back to the city.”
55.8 τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος. ta mèn opisō epilanthanómenos. “Forgetting the things which are behind.”
55.9 ἡ γυνὴ εἱστήκει ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hē gunḕ heistḗkei opisō autoû. “The woman was standing behind him.”
55.10 ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ. húpage opisō mou, Satanâ. “Get behind me, Satan.”
55.11 οὐδεὶς βαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ᾽ ἄροτρον καὶ βλέπων εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω εὔθετός ἐστιν. oudeìs balṑn tēn cheîra ep’ árotron kaì blépōn eis ta opisō eúthetos estin. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit.”
55.12 ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου. érchetai ho ischuróteros mou opisō mou. “He who is stronger than I comes after me.”
55.13 ἐκ τούτου πολλοὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ οὐκέτι μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ περιεπάτουν. ek toútou polloì apēlthon eis ta opisō kaì oukéti met’ autoû periepatoun. “From this time many went back and no longer walked with him.”
55.14 ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν. taûta eipoûsa estráphē eis ta opisō kaì theōreî tòn Iēsoûn. “Having said these things, she turned back and sees Jesus.”
55.15 εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτόν. eí tis thélei opisō mou eltheîn, aparnēsásthō heautón. “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself.”
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55.1 ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐστράφη ὀπίσω. ho ánthrōpos estráphē opisō.
55.2 βλέπω εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. blépō eis ta opisō.
55.3 μὴ ἐπιστρέψῃς ὀπίσω. mē epistrepsēs opisō.
55.4 ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. apēlthon opisō autoû.
55.5 δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. deûte opisō mou.
55.6 ὁ μαθητὴς ἠκολούθησεν ὀπίσω τοῦ διδασκάλου. ho mathētḕs ēkoloúthēsen opisō toû didaskálou.
55.7 οἱ ἄνδρες ἐπορεύοντο ὀπίσω εἰς τὴν πόλιν. hoi ándres eporeúonto opisō eis tēn pólin.
55.8 τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος. ta mèn opisō epilanthanómenos.
55.9 ἡ γυνὴ εἱστήκει ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hē gunḕ heistḗkei opisō autoû.
55.10 ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ. húpage opisō mou, Satanâ.
55.11 οὐδεὶς βαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ᾽ ἄροτρον καὶ βλέπων εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω εὔθετός ἐστιν. oudeìs balṑn tēn cheîra ep’ árotron kaì blépōn eis ta opisō eúthetos estin.
55.12 ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου. érchetai ho ischuróteros mou opisō mou.
55.13 ἐκ τούτου πολλοὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ οὐκέτι μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ περιεπάτουν. ek toútou polloì apēlthon eis ta opisō kaì oukéti met’ autoû periepatoun.
55.14 ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν. taûta eipoûsa estráphē eis ta opisō kaì theōreî tòn Iēsoûn.
55.15 εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτόν. eí tis thélei opisō mou eltheîn, aparnēsásthō heautón.
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These are the grammar rules for ὀπίσω (opisō).
Part of Speech and Function
The word ὀπίσω functions in two primary ways in Koine Greek:
As a pure adverb, ὀπίσω means “back,” “backwards,” or “to the rear.” In this usage, it modifies verbs of motion or perception without taking an object: ἐστράφη ὀπίσω (”he turned back”), βλέπειν ὀπίσω (”to look back”).
As an improper preposition, ὀπίσω governs the genitive case and means “after,” “behind,” or “following.” This prepositional usage is particularly common in the New Testament: ὀπίσω μου (”after me”), ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ (”behind him,” “after him”).
The Expression εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω
A fixed expression of particular importance is εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, meaning “backwards” or “to the things behind.” Here, τὰ ὀπίσω is a substantivized use of the adverb (the neuter plural article converts it to a noun meaning “the things behind”). This expression appears in key New Testament passages such as John 6:66 (ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, “they went back”), John 18:6 (ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, “they drew back”), and John 20:14 (ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, “she turned around”).
Verbs Commonly Paired with ὀπίσω
The adverb regularly appears with verbs expressing motion or perception: -
στρέφω / ἐπιστρέφω (to turn / to turn back) -
βλέπω (to look) -
ἔρχομαι / ἀπέρχομαι (to come / to go away) -
πορεύομαι (to go, to proceed) -
ἀκολουθέω (to follow) -
ὑπάγω (to go away)
Distinction from πάλιν
While ὀπίσω indicates spatial direction (”backwards,” “behind”), the adverb πάλιν (palin) expresses temporal or iterative “back” — meaning “again” or “back again.” Compare: ἦλθον πάλιν (”they came again”) versus ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω (”they went back” in the sense of retreating or returning spatially).
Accent and Pronunciation
The word ὀπίσω carries an acute accent on the penultimate syllable (ὀ-πί-σω). In the reconstructed Koine pronunciation, this is stressed: /o-PÍ-soh/. The initial omicron is short, and the final omega is long.
Common Mistakes
Confusing ὀπίσω with ὄπισθεν: Both words relate to “behind,” but ὄπισθεν typically means “from behind” or “at the rear” as a pure adverb, while ὀπίσω more commonly takes genitive objects in prepositional function.
Forgetting the genitive case: When ὀπίσω functions as a preposition (”after someone,” “behind someone”), the following noun or pronoun must be in the genitive case. Students sometimes use the accusative by false analogy with other prepositions.
Overusing πάλιν for spatial “back”: English speakers often substitute πάλιν where ὀπίσω is required. Remember that πάλιν means “again,” not directional “back.”
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The adverb ὀπίσω carries significant theological weight in the New Testament. The call to discipleship — δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου, “come after me” — establishes the fundamental relationship between Jesus and his followers. To follow “after” (ὀπίσω) a teacher meant to become a student in the rabbinic tradition, walking behind the master and learning from his words and deeds.
Conversely, “looking back” (βλέπειν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω) became a metaphor for spiritual regression. In Luke 9:62, Jesus warns that no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God — an agricultural image drawn from Palestinian farming practice where a plowman must look forward to cut straight furrows. The reference to Lot’s wife (who looked back and became a pillar of salt) underlies much of this imagery.
The phrase ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, “get behind me” (addressed to Peter as “Satan” in Matthew 16:23), demonstrates the severity of the rebuke: Peter is commanded to return to the proper position of a disciple — following behind — rather than presuming to direct the master.
Paul’s use in Philippians 3:13-14 spiritualizes the athletic metaphor: forgetting τὰ ὀπίσω (”the things behind”) and straining forward to what lies ahead. Here, the past — whether achievements or failures — must not impede forward progress toward the goal.
The Septuagint’s use of ὀπίσω to translate Hebrew אַחֲרֵי (ʾaḥărê, “after”) and אָחוֹר (ʾāḥôr, “back, behind”) shaped its theological significance. The Hebrew idiom of “going after” (הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי) foreign gods becomes ἀπελθεῖν ὀπίσω θεῶν ἑτέρων in Greek, thus linking ὀπίσω with concepts of loyalty, following, and apostasy.
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Source: The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians 3:13-14 (New Testament, ca. 60-62 CE)
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
ἀδελφοί brothers-VOC ἐγὼ I ἐμαυτὸν myself οὐ not λογίζομαι reckon κατειληφέναι to-have-apprehended
adelphoí (a-del-PHOI) brothers-VOC egṑ (e-GOH) I emautòn (e-maw-TON) myself ou (oo) not logízomai (lo-GÍ-zo-mai) reckon kateilēphénai (ka-tei-lee-PHE-nai) to-have-apprehended
ἓν one-thing δέ but τὰ the-things μὲν indeed ὀπίσω behind ἐπιλανθανόμενος forgetting
hèn (hen) one-thing dé (de) but ta (ta) the-things mèn (men) indeed opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind epilanthanómenos (e-pi-lan-tha-NO-me-nos) forgetting
τοῖς to-the-things δὲ but ἔμπροσθεν ahead ἐπεκτεινόμενος stretching-forward
toîs (tois) to-the-things dè (de) but émprosthen (ÉM-pros-then) ahead epekteinómenos (e-pek-tei-NO-me-nos) stretching-forward
κατὰ toward σκοπὸν goal διώκω I-press-on εἰς for τὸ the βραβεῖον prize
katà (ka-TA) toward skopòn (sko-PON) goal diṓkō (di-OH-koh) I-press-on eis (eis) for tò (to) the brabeîon (bra-BEI-on) prize
τῆς of-the ἄνω upward κλήσεως calling-GEN τοῦ of-the θεοῦ God-GEN ἐν in Χριστῷ Christ-DAT Ἰησοῦ Jesus-DAT
tês (tees) of-the ánō (Á-noh) upward klḗseōs (KLEE-se-ohs) calling-GEN toû (too) of-the theoû (the-OO) God-GEN en (en) in Christō̧̂ (khris-TOH) Christ-DAT Iēsoû (ee-e-SOO) Jesus-DAT
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὐ λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι· ἓν δέ, τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος, τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος, κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
“Brothers, I do not consider myself to have apprehended it; but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
F-C: Original Script Only
ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ ἐμαυτὸν οὐ λογίζομαι κατειληφέναι· ἓν δέ, τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος, τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν ἐπεκτεινόμενος, κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
adelphoí, egṑ emautòn ou logízomai kateilēphénai; hèn dé, ta mèn opisō epilanthanómenos, toîs dè émprosthen epekteinómenos, katà skopòn diṓkō eis tò brabeîon tês ánō klḗseōs toû theoû en Christō̧̂ Iēsoû.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage demonstrates Paul’s athletic metaphor for the Christian life. Key vocabulary includes: -
λογίζομαι (logízomai) — to reckon, consider, account (middle/deponent verb) -
κατειληφέναι (kateilēphénai) — perfect active infinitive of καταλαμβάνω (”to seize, apprehend, grasp”) -
ἐπιλανθανόμενος (epilanthanómenos) — present middle participle of ἐπιλανθάνομαι (”to forget, overlook”) -
ἐπεκτεινόμενος (epekteinómenos) — present middle participle of ἐπεκτείνομαι (”to stretch oneself forward”) -
σκοπός (skopós) — goal, mark, target (source of English “scope”) -
διώκω (diṓkō) — to pursue, press on, chase -
βραβεῖον (brabeîon) — prize, reward (in athletic contests) -
κλῆσις (klêsis) — calling, invitation
The construction τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ... τοῖς δὲ ἔμπροσθεν creates a powerful contrast: the μέν...δέ particles set up the antithesis between “the things behind” and “the things ahead.” The substantivized adverbs (τὰ ὀπίσω, τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν) function as nouns through the definite articles.
F-E: Literary Commentary
Paul’s use of ὀπίσω in Philippians 3:13 represents one of the most theologically significant applications of this adverb in the New Testament. Writing from prison, Paul employs the imagery of Greek athletic competitions — specifically the foot race — to describe spiritual progress.
The phrase τὰ μὲν ὀπίσω ἐπιλανθανόμενος (”forgetting the things behind”) counsels against both resting on past achievements and being paralyzed by past failures. For Paul, who had previously been a persecutor of the church, this forgetting was particularly poignant: his violent past had to be left ὀπίσω in order to press forward toward Christ.
The contrast with ἔμπροσθεν (”ahead, in front”) emphasizes the forward-looking orientation required of believers. A runner who looks backward loses the race; similarly, the spiritual athlete must keep eyes fixed on the prize (βραβεῖον) — the upward calling of God.
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This section presents a continuous narrative in the style of the Gospel accounts, featuring the calling of disciples. The examples build upon each other to form a coherent story.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
55.16a Ἰησοῦς Jesus περιεπάτει was-walking παρὰ beside τὴν the θάλασσαν sea τῆς of-the Γαλιλαίας Galilee-GEN
55.16b Iēsoûs (ee-e-SOOS) Jesus periepatei (pe-ri-e-PA-tei) was-walking parà (pa-RA) beside tēn (teen) the thálassan (THA-las-san) sea tês (tees) of-the Galilaías (ga-li-LAI-as) Galilee-GEN
55.17a εἶδεν he-saw δύο two ἀδελφούς brothers-ACC βάλλοντας casting δίκτυα nets εἰς into τὴν the θάλασσαν sea
55.17b eîden (EI-den) he-saw dúo (DÚ-oh) two adelphoùs (a-del-PHOOS) brothers-ACC bállontas (BAL-lon-tas) casting díktua (DÍK-tu-a) nets eis (eis) into tēn (teen) the thálassan (THA-las-san) sea
55.18a καὶ and λέγει he-says αὐτοῖς to-them δεῦτε come-PL ὀπίσω after μου me-GEN
55.18b kaì (kai) and légei (LE-gei) he-says autoîs (aw-TOIS) to-them deûte (DEF-te) come-PL opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after mou (moo) me-GEN
55.19a καὶ and ποιήσω I-will-make ὑμᾶς you-PL-ACC ἁλιεῖς fishers ἀνθρώπων of-men-GEN
55.19b kaì (kai) and poiḗsō (poi-EE-soh) I-will-make humâs (hu-MAS) you-PL-ACC halieîs (ha-li-EIS) fishers anthrṓpōn (an-THROH-pohn) of-men-GEN
55.20a οἱ the δὲ and εὐθέως immediately ἀφέντες having-left τὰ the δίκτυα nets ἠκολούθησαν followed ὀπίσω after αὐτοῦ him-GEN
55.20b hoi (hoi) the dè (de) and euthéōs (eu-THE-ohs) immediately aphéntes (a-PHEN-tes) having-left ta (ta) the díktua (DÍK-tu-a) nets ēkoloúthēsan (ee-ko-LOO-thee-san) followed opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after autoû (aw-TOO) him-GEN
55.21a προβὰς having-gone-forward ὀλίγον a-little εἶδεν he-saw ἄλλους other δύο two ἀδελφούς brothers-ACC
55.21b probàs (pro-BAS) having-gone-forward olígon (o-LÍ-gon) a-little eîden (EI-den) he-saw állous (AL-loos) other dúo (DÚ-oh) two adelphoùs (a-del-PHOOS) brothers-ACC
55.22a ἦσαν they-were ἐν in τῷ the πλοίῳ boat-DAT μετὰ with τοῦ the πατρὸς father-GEN αὐτῶν their
55.22b êsan (EE-san) they-were en (en) in tō̧̂ (toh) the ploíō̧ (PLOI-oh) boat-DAT metà (me-TA) with toû (too) the patròs (pa-TROS) father-GEN autō̂n (aw-TOHN) their
55.23a καὶ and ἐκάλεσεν he-called αὐτοὺς them-ACC καὶ and εἶπεν said δεῦτε come-PL ὀπίσω after μου me-GEN
55.23b kaì (kai) and ekálesen (e-KA-le-sen) he-called autoùs (aw-TOOS) them-ACC kaì (kai) and eîpen (EI-pen) said deûte (DEF-te) come-PL opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after mou (moo) me-GEN
55.24a οἱ the δὲ and ἀφέντες having-left τὸν the πατέρα father-ACC ἀπῆλθον went-away ὀπίσω after αὐτοῦ him-GEN
55.24b hoi (hoi) the dè (de) and aphéntes (a-PHEN-tes) having-left tòn (ton) the patéra (pa-TE-ra) father-ACC apêlthon (a-PEEL-thon) went-away opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after autoû (aw-TOO) him-GEN
55.25a ὁ the δὲ but πατήρ father ἔμεινεν remained ὀπίσω behind ἐν in τῷ the πλοίῳ boat-DAT
55.25b ho (ho) the dè (de) but patḗr (pa-TEER) father émeinen (É-mei-nen) remained opisō (o-PÍ-soh) behind en (en) in tō̧̂ (toh) the ploíō̧ (PLOI-oh) boat-DAT
55.26a εἷς one ἐκ from τῶν the μαθητῶν disciples-GEN ἐπέστρεψεν turned ὀπίσω back καὶ and εἶπεν said τῷ to-the πατρί father-DAT
55.26b heîs (heis) one ek (ek) from tō̂n (tohn) the mathētō̂n (ma-thee-TOHN) disciples-GEN epéstrepsen (e-PE-strep-sen) turned opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back kaì (kai) and eîpen (EI-pen) said tō̧̂ (toh) to-the patrí (pa-TRI) father-DAT
55.27a μὴ not λυποῦ be-grieved-IMP πάτερ father-VOC ἀκολουθοῦμεν we-follow ὀπίσω after τοῦ the διδασκάλου teacher-GEN
55.27b mē (mee) not lupoû (lu-POO) be-grieved-IMP páter (PA-ter) father-VOC akolouthoûmen (a-ko-loo-THOO-men) we-follow opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after toû (too) the didaskálou (di-da-SKA-loo) teacher-GEN
55.28a ὁ the δὲ and πατὴρ father εἶπεν said πορεύεσθε go-IMP-PL καὶ and μὴ not βλέπετε look-IMP-PL εἰς to τὰ the-things ὀπίσω back
55.28b ho (ho) the dè (de) and patḕr (pa-TEER) father eîpen (EI-pen) said poreúesthe (po-REF-es-the) go-IMP-PL kaì (kai) and mē (mee) not blépete (BLE-pe-te) look-IMP-PL eis (eis) to ta (ta) the-things opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back
55.29a οἱ the οὖν therefore μαθηταὶ disciples ἀπῆλθον went-away ὀπίσω after τοῦ the Ἰησοῦ Jesus-GEN εἰς to τὴν the ὁδόν way
55.29b hoi (hoi) the oûn (oon) therefore mathētaì (ma-thee-TAI) disciples apêlthon (a-PEEL-thon) went-away opisō (o-PÍ-soh) after toû (too) the Iēsoû (ee-e-SOO) Jesus-GEN eis (eis) to tēn (teen) the hodón (ho-DON) way
55.30a καὶ and οὐδεὶς no-one ἐξ from αὐτῶν them-GEN ἐπέστρεψεν turned ὀπίσω back ἐκείνῃ that-DAT τῇ the ἡμέρᾳ day-DAT
55.30b kaì (kai) and oudeìs (oo-DEIS) no-one ex (ex) from autō̂n (aw-TOHN) them-GEN epéstrepsen (e-PE-strep-sen) turned opisō (o-PÍ-soh) back ekeínȩ̄ (e-KEI-nee) that-DAT tȩ̄̂ (tee) the hēméra̧ (hee-ME-ra) day-DAT
Part B: Natural Sentences
55.16 Ἰησοῦς περιεπάτει παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας. Iēsoûs periepatei parà tēn thálassan tês Galilaías. “Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee.”
55.17 εἶδεν δύο ἀδελφοὺς βάλλοντας δίκτυα εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν. eîden dúo adelphoùs bállontas díktua eis tēn thálassan. “He saw two brothers casting nets into the sea.”
55.18 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. kaì légei autoîs, Deûte opisō mou. “And he says to them, ‘Come after me.’”
55.19 καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων. kaì poiḗsō humâs halieîs anthrṓpōn. “’And I will make you fishers of men.’”
55.20 οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hoi dè euthéōs aphéntes ta díktua ēkoloúthēsan opisō autoû. “And immediately, having left the nets, they followed after him.”
55.21 προβὰς ὀλίγον εἶδεν ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς. probàs olígon eîden állous dúo adelphoùs. “Having gone forward a little, he saw another two brothers.”
55.22 ἦσαν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν. êsan en tō̧̂ ploíō̧ metà toû patròs autō̂n. “They were in the boat with their father.”
55.23 καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ εἶπεν, Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. kaì ekálesen autoùs kaì eîpen, Deûte opisō mou. “And he called them and said, ‘Come after me.’”
55.24 οἱ δὲ ἀφέντες τὸν πατέρα ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hoi dè aphéntes tòn patéra apêlthon opisō autoû. “And having left their father, they went away after him.”
55.25 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ ἔμεινεν ὀπίσω ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ. ho dè patḕr émeinen opisō en tō̧̂ ploíō̧. “But the father remained behind in the boat.”
55.26 εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν ἐπέστρεψεν ὀπίσω καὶ εἶπεν τῷ πατρί. heîs ek tō̂n mathētō̂n epéstrepsen opisō kaì eîpen tō̧̂ patrí. “One of the disciples turned back and said to the father.”
55.27 Μὴ λυποῦ, πάτερ· ἀκολουθοῦμεν ὀπίσω τοῦ διδασκάλου. Mē lupoû, páter; akolouthoûmen opisō toû didaskálou. “’Do not grieve, father; we follow after the teacher.’”
55.28 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ εἶπεν, Πορεύεσθε καὶ μὴ βλέπετε εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. ho dè patḕr eîpen, Poreúesthe kaì mē blépete eis ta opisō. “And the father said, ‘Go, and do not look back.’”
55.29 οἱ οὖν μαθηταὶ ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω τοῦ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν ὁδόν. hoi oûn mathētaì apêlthon opisō toû Iēsoû eis tēn hodón. “Therefore the disciples went away after Jesus onto the road.”
55.30 καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπέστρεψεν ὀπίσω ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. kaì oudeìs ex autō̂n epéstrepsen opisō ekeínȩ̄ tȩ̄̂ hēméra̧. “And no one of them turned back that day.”
Part C: Target Language Only
55.16 Ἰησοῦς περιεπάτει παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας. Iēsoûs periepatei parà tēn thálassan tês Galilaías.
55.17 εἶδεν δύο ἀδελφοὺς βάλλοντας δίκτυα εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν. eîden dúo adelphoùs bállontas díktua eis tēn thálassan.
55.18 καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. kaì légei autoîs, Deûte opisō mou.
55.19 καὶ ποιήσω ὑμᾶς ἁλιεῖς ἀνθρώπων. kaì poiḗsō humâs halieîs anthrṓpōn.
55.20 οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hoi dè euthéōs aphéntes ta díktua ēkoloúthēsan opisō autoû.
55.21 προβὰς ὀλίγον εἶδεν ἄλλους δύο ἀδελφούς. probàs olígon eîden állous dúo adelphoùs.
55.22 ἦσαν ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν. êsan en tō̧̂ ploíō̧ metà toû patròs autō̂n.
55.23 καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ εἶπεν, Δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου. kaì ekálesen autoùs kaì eîpen, Deûte opisō mou.
55.24 οἱ δὲ ἀφέντες τὸν πατέρα ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ. hoi dè aphéntes tòn patéra apêlthon opisō autoû.
55.25 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ ἔμεινεν ὀπίσω ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ. ho dè patḕr émeinen opisō en tō̧̂ ploíō̧.
55.26 εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν ἐπέστρεψεν ὀπίσω καὶ εἶπεν τῷ πατρί. heîs ek tō̂n mathētō̂n epéstrepsen opisō kaì eîpen tō̧̂ patrí.
55.27 Μὴ λυποῦ, πάτερ· ἀκολουθοῦμεν ὀπίσω τοῦ διδασκάλου. Mē lupoû, páter; akolouthoûmen opisō toû didaskálou.
55.28 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ εἶπεν, Πορεύεσθε καὶ μὴ βλέπετε εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. ho dè patḕr eîpen, Poreúesthe kaì mē blépete eis ta opisō.
55.29 οἱ οὖν μαθηταὶ ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω τοῦ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν ὁδόν. hoi oûn mathētaì apêlthon opisō toû Iēsoû eis tēn hodón.
55.30 καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπέστρεψεν ὀπίσω ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. kaì oudeìs ex autō̂n epéstrepsen opisō ekeínȩ̄ tȩ̄̂ hēméra̧.
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This narrative section illustrates several important grammatical features of ὀπίσω in continuous discourse:
The Historic Present (λέγει)
Example 55.18 uses λέγει (”he says”) rather than the expected aorist εἶπεν (”he said”). This “historic present” is characteristic of Mark’s Gospel, creating immediacy in narrative. Combined with ὀπίσω μου, it captures the dramatic moment of the call.
Aorist Participle with Main Verb
The construction ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν (”having left the nets, they followed”) shows the common Koine pattern of aorist participle expressing antecedent action followed by an aorist main verb. The participle ἀφέντες comes from ἀφίημι (to leave, let go).
The Genitive with ὀπίσω
Throughout the narrative, ὀπίσω takes the genitive case when functioning as a preposition: ὀπίσω μου (after me), ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ (after him), ὀπίσω τοῦ διδασκάλου (after the teacher), ὀπίσω τοῦ Ἰησοῦ (after Jesus). This prepositional use is essential New Testament vocabulary.
Contrast: Adverbial vs. Prepositional
Compare example 55.25 (ἔμεινεν ὀπίσω, “remained behind” — adverbial use) with 55.24 (ἀπῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, “went after him” — prepositional use). The father “remained behind” uses ὀπίσω as a pure adverb, while the disciples “went after him” uses it as a preposition with genitive.
The Dative of Time (ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ)
Example 55.30 ends with the dative of time expression ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ (”on that day”). The dative case indicates the point in time when the action occurred.
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ὀπίσω (opisō) — /o-PÍ-soh/
The word has three syllables. Stress falls on the middle syllable (πί). In IPA notation for reconstructed Koine pronunciation:
[o.ˈpi.soː] -
ὀ = short omicron, pronounced like English “o” in “pot” -
πί = pi + iota, stressed syllable, like English “pee” -
σω = sigma + long omega, pronounced “soh” (longer than omicron)
Common Pronunciation Errors
English speakers often stress the first syllable (saying “Ó-pi-so”) rather than the second. Always remember: ὀ-ΠΊ-σω.
The final omega (ω) should be pronounced as a long “o” sound, distinct from the short omicron (ο) at the beginning.
Audio Reference
For authentic Koine Greek pronunciation, consult Randall Buth’s “Living Koine Greek” recordings or the KoineGreek.com audio resources.
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✓ Lesson 55 Koine Greek complete
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