Greek word · G3305

μέντοι

mentoi

yet

A contrasting particle: 'however, yet, nevertheless', sometimes 'indeed, to be sure'. It is stronger and more pointed than δέ.

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

μέν-τοι

= μέν τοι,

yet, however: John 4:27, al.; εἰ μ., James 2:8 (if indeed).

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: A contrasting particle: 'however, yet, nevertheless', sometimes 'indeed, to be sure'. It is stronger and more pointed than δέ.
Against the English: KJV and BSB use 'but', which flattens it a little. WEB 'yet' and YLT 'yet indeed' keep more of the contrast.
Used elsewhere in the period: Five of its eight NT uses are in John: 4:27 ('yet no one said, What do you want?'), 7:13, 12:42, 20:5 ('yet he did not go in'), and here. In John it often marks a surprising gap between a situation and how people respond to it.

Range of meaning: However, yet, nevertheless. It marks a contrast with what came just before. It is rare in the New Testament (8 times), and 5 of those are in John.
Against the English: Rendered 'yet' (KJV, WEB), 'but' (BSB, ESV), 'however' (YLT). All are accurate.
Used elsewhere in the period: John 7:13; 12:42; 20:5; 21:4. In John it often introduces a qualification or something held back.

John · 5

John 4:27 μέντοι however

Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

Here: A word for contrast that John uses more than any other New Testament writer: they were astonished, *yet* they held their tongues.
John 7:13 μέντοι however

Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.

Here: A contrast word that John is fond of (also 4:27; 12:42; 20:5; 21:4). It sets the whispering just described against the lack of any open speech: there was a lot of talk, *but* it was all under the breath.
John 12:42 μέντοι indeed

Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.

Here: A second contrast word stacked on the first: 'nevertheless, however'. The doubling, found only here in the New Testament, makes the exception stand out sharply.
John 20:5 μέντοι however

He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
John 21:4 μέντοι however

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.

Here: A stronger 'but' than δέ. It sharpens the irony: Jesus was right there, yet they did not know him. John uses this word more than any other NT writer.

2 Timothy · 1

2 Timothy 2:19 μέντοι Nevertheless

Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

Here: A strong 'but'. It turns away from v.18, where false teachers 'overturn the faith of some', to what cannot be overturned.

James · 1

James 2:8 μέντοι indeed

If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

Here: A small particle that can mean 'however' or 'really, truly'. Here it either turns away from verse 6–7 ('however') or presses the point ('if you *really* keep it'). Either way it puts the readers' claim to keep the law under test.

Jude · 1

Jude 1:8 μέντοι yet

Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.

Here: A note of surprise or protest: even with those examples of judgment in plain view, these people still do the same things.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.