Lexical Summary
palin: Again, once more, back
Original Word: πάλιν
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: palin
Pronunciation: PAH-lin
Phonetic Spelling: (pal'-in)
KJV: again
NASB: again, back, once more, other hand, another
Word Origin: [probably from pallo "to vibrate" (another form for G906 (βάλλω - thrown)) (through the idea of oscillatory repetition)]
1. (adverbially) anew
2. (of place) back
3. (of time) once more
4. (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
again.
Probably from the same as pale (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand -- again.
see GREEK pale
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. word
Definitionback (of place), again (of time), further
NASB Translationagain (127), again* (1), another (1), back (4), once more (4), other hand (3).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3825: πάλινπάλιν, adverb, from
Homer down;
1. anew, again (but the primary meaning seems to be back; cf. (among others) Ellendt, Lex. Sophocles, under the word, ii, p. 485);
a. joined to verbs of all sorts, it denotes renewal or repetition of the action: Matthew 4:8; Matthew 20:5; Matthew 21:36; Matthew 22:1, 4; Mark 2:13; Mark 3:20; Luke 23:20; John 1:35; John 4:13; John 8:2, 8, 12, 21; John 9:15, 17; John 10:19; Acts 17:32; Acts 27:28; Romans 11:23; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:16; Galatians 1:9; Galatians 2:18; Galatians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:20; Philippians 2:28; Philippians 4:4; Hebrews 1:6 (where πάλιν is tacitly opposed to the time when God first brought his Son into the world, i. e. to the time of Jesus' former life on earth); Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 6:1, 6; James 5:18; Revelation 10:8, 11; πάλιν μικρόν namely, ἔσται, John 16:16f, 19; εἰς τό πάλιν, again (cf. German zum wiederholten Male; (see εἰς, A. II. 2 at the end)), 2 Corinthians 13:2; with verbs of going, coming, departing, returning, where again combines with the notion of back; thus with ἄγωμεν, John 11:7; ἀναχωρεῖν, John 6:15 (where Tdf. φεύγει and Griesbach omits πάλιν) (cf. John 6:3); ἀπέρχεσθαι, John 4:3; John 10:40; John 20:10; ἐισέρχεσθαι, Mark 2:1; Mark 3:1; John 18:33; John 19:9; ἐξέρχεσθαι, Mark 7:31; ἔρχεσθαι, John 4:46; John 14:3; 2 Corinthians 1:16; 2 Corinthians 12:21 (cf. Winers Grammar, 554 (515) n.; Buttmann, § 145, 2 a.); ὑπάγειν, John 11:8; ἀνακάμπτειν, Acts 18:21; διαπεραν, Mark 5:21; ὑποστρέφειν, Galatians 1:17; ἡ ἐμή παρουσία πάλιν πρός ὑμᾶς, my presence with you again, i. e. my return to you, Philippians 1:26 (cf. Buttmann, § 125, 2); also with verbs of taking, John 10:17; Acts 10:16 Rec.;
b. with other parts of the sentence: πάλιν εἰς φόβον, Romans 8:15; πάλιν ἐν λύπη, 2 Corinthians 2:1.
c. πάλιν is explained by the addition of more precise specifications of time (cf. Winer's Grammar, 604 (562)): πάλιν ἐκ τρίτου, Matthew 26:44 (L Tr marginal reading brackets ἐκ τρίτου); ἐκ δευτέρου, Matthew 26:42; Acts 10:15; πάλιν δεύτερον, John 4:54; John 21:16; πάλιν ἄνωθεν, again, anew (R. V. back again (yet cf. Meyer at the passage)), Galatians 4:9 (Wis. 19:6; πάλιν ἐξ ἀρχῆς, Aristophanes Plutarch, 866; Plato, Eut., p. 11 b. and 15 c.; Isoc. areiop. 6, p. 338 (p. 220, Lange edition); cf. Winer's Grammar, as above).
2. again, i. e. further, moreover (where the subject remains the same and a repetition of the action or condition is indicated): Matthew 5:33 (πάλιν ἠκούσατε); Matthew 13:44 (where T Tr WH omit; L brackets πάλιν),
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage Appearing one hundred forty-one times in the Greek New Testament, πάλιν supplies the adverbial idea of “again, further, anew, on the other hand.” The word links events, sayings, or arguments, marking repetition, continuation, or contrast. From the temptation narrative (Matthew 4:7) to the prophetic charge of Revelation 10:11, it quietly stitches the biblical account together, reminding readers that God’s purposes unfold in patterns, cycles, and reinforcing declarations.
Narrative Function in the Gospels
1. Reinforcing Temptation and Triumph – In the wilderness Satan attacks “again” (Matthew 4:7-8); Christ answers Scripture “again,” displaying persevering obedience until “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50).
2. Sequential Parables – Matthew strings parables with πάλιν: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls” (Matthew 13:45) and “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet” (Matthew 13:47), underscoring progressive revelation.
3. Persistent Ministry – Mark employs the term to show Jesus’ relentless service: “Again He entered a synagogue” (Mark 3:1); “Again a crowd gathered” (Mark 3:20); “Again He began to teach by the sea” (Mark 4:1). The repetition magnifies divine compassion and determination.
4. Clarifying Contrast – John uses πάλιν for dialogical tension: “‘Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.’ … “The Jews again picked up stones to stone Him” (John 10:7, 31). The adverb signals recurring opposition that validates Jesus’ messianic claims.
Christological Emphasis
Repeated actions and sayings heighten Christ’s identity:
• “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world’” (John 8:12). The recurrence brands His titles upon the hearers.
• “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again” (John 10:17). Resurrection hope hinges on a promised “again.”
• Post-resurrection appearances (“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you’” – John 20:21) cement the continuity between His earthly ministry and His exalted ministry.
Discipleship and Pastoral Application
πάλιν accents perseverance. Jesus instructs, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done” (Matthew 18:19). Believers are called to pray and agree repeatedly, confident that God responds consistently. In Mark 8:25, Jesus lays hands on the blind man “again,” modeling patient, repeated ministry until full restoration comes. Pastors draw encouragement to minister, teach, and intercede not once, but again and again.
Pauline and General Epistle Usage
Paul leverages πάλιν rhetorically. In Galatians 1:9 he warns, “As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse.” Repetition underscores apostolic authority. Romans 15 strings Old Testament citations with πάλιν (verses 10-12), exhibiting harmony among Moses, David, and Isaiah in heralding Gentile inclusion. Hebrews layers quotations: “And again, ‘I will put My trust in Him’” (Hebrews 2:13), demonstrating that multiple voices speak one cohesive message.
Eschatological and Prophetic Nuances
Revelation employs πάλιν to advance vision cycles: “Then the voice that I heard from heaven spoke to me again” (Revelation 10:8) and “You must prophesy again about many peoples” (Revelation 10:11). The word encapsulates the prophetic pattern of renewed commission and unfolding fulfillment, assuring the church that divine revelation will not cease until every purpose is accomplished.
Liturgical and Devotional Implications
The Psalms invite worshipers to “sing praise … again” (quoted in Romans 15:11). Philippians 4:4 echoes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Corporate worship gains scriptural warrant for repeated praise, confession, and declaration. Individual devotion likewise finds permission to return to the same promises and petitions, certain that the God who answers once will answer again.
Intertextual and Old Testament Echoes
Though πάλιν itself is rare in the Septuagint, the concept of reiterated speech and action pervades Scripture: covenantal renewals, recurring feasts, cyclical judgments and restorations. The New Testament’s habitual πάλιν reflects this Hebraic rhythm, showing that in Christ the cycle moves toward consummation rather than futility.
Summary
πάλιν is more than a grammatical connector; it is a theological thread testifying that God speaks, acts, warns, comforts, and commissions repeatedly. Every occurrence reminds readers that the gospel comes “again,” grace is offered “again,” and Christ is coming “again.”
Forms and Transliterations
Παλιν Πάλιν παλλακαί παλλακάς παλλακή παλλακήν παλλακής παλλακίδων παλλακών παμβότανον Palin Pálin
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