The Greek adverb tote (τότε) means 'then' or 'at that time.' It appears about 160 times in the NT — heavily concentrated in Matthew (90 occurrences). It marks temporal sequence and often the hinge moments of narrative.
Tote is Matthew's signature word for narrative movement. The Passion narrative uses it repeatedly to track the inexorable march of Jesus toward the cross: 'Then (tote) Judas... Then the governor's soldiers... Then they crucified him.' The word creates a sense of divine appointment — each 'then' is not accidental but purposeful. Prophetic fulfillment often hangs on tote: 'Then (tote) what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled' (Matthew 2:17). In the eschatological discourse (Matthew 24–25), tote appears 15+ times marking the sequence of end-time events. 'Then (tote) the King will say...' (25:34, 41) — the final judgment unfolds word by word. Tote reminds us that God is writing history with sequence and purpose.