Lexical Summary eita: then, thereafter, next Original Word: εἶτα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance after that, afterward, furthermore, then. Of uncertain affinity; a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover -- after that(-ward), furthermore, then. See also epeita. see GREEK epeita HELPS Word-studies 1534 eíta (a primitive, temporal adverb communicating time) – next (in succession), after that ("then"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. particle Definition then, next, therefore (an adv. denoting sequence) NASB Translation furthermore (1), then (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1534: εἶταεἶτα, adverb of time, then; next; after that: Mark 8:25; Luke 8:12; John 13:5; John 19:27; John 20:27; James 1:15; with the addition of a genitive absolutely to define it more precisely, Mark 4:17; as in classic Greek, it stands in enumerations, to mark a sequence depending either on temporal succession, as Mark 4:28 (see εἶτεν); 1 Corinthians 15:5-7 (εἶτα (T ἔπειτα, so in marginal reading Tr WH) ... ἔπειτα ... ἔπειτα ... εἶτα (T ἔπειτα, so in marginal reading L Tr WH)); 1 Corinthians 15:24 (ἔπειτα ... εἶτα); 1 Timothy 2:13; or on the nature of the things enumerated, 1 Corinthians 12:28 (πρῶτον ... δεύτερον ... τρίτον ... ἔπειτα ... εἶτα for which L T Tr WH ἔπειτα); (1 Timothy 3:10); in arguments it serves to add a new reason, furthermore (German sodann): Hebrews 12:9. STRONGS NT 1534: εἶτενεἶτεν a very rare (Ionic) form for εἶτα (which see): Mark 4:28 T WH. (Cf. Kuenen et Cobet, Nov. Test. etc. praef., p. xxxiii.; Lob. Phryn., p. 124, also Pathol. Gr. Element. 2:155; Stephanus' Thesaurus under the word εἶτεν, also under the word ἔπειτεν.) The adverb εἶτα occurs fifteen times in the Greek New Testament, always signaling a step-by-step advance—whether in narrative action, logical argument, or salvation history. It never introduces a digression; it always presses the reader to the next divinely ordered moment. Narrative Progression in the Synoptic Gospels In the Gospel accounts εἶτα moves the account forward at moments of spiritual insight or crisis. Mark 4:17 shows persecution arising “then” after the word is received, highlighting the inevitable testing of genuine faith. Mark 4:28 traces the maturing of the kingdom seed: “first the stalk, then the head, then the grain that ripens within”, portraying growth as God-ordained stages rather than instant results. When Jesus heals the blind man of Bethsaida (Mark 8:25), εἶτα links the partial and the complete, underscoring that Christ finishes what He begins. Sequential Revelation in Luke and John Luke employs the term once, in the parable of the soils (Luke 8:12), to describe Satan’s immediate seizure of the seed and thus sets up a spiritual chain of events reversed only by faithful hearing. John places εἶτα at key junctures of Christ’s final ministry: the foot washing (John 13:5), the entrusting of Mary to John (John 19:27), and Thomas’s invitation to believe (John 20:27). Each “then” marks love translated into action, authority transferred, or doubt conquered—moments that build toward the completed redemption. Doctrinal Development in Pauline Epistles Paul uses εἶτα as a connective hinge in 1 Corinthians 15. After listing resurrection appearances—“and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:5), “then He appeared to James” (15:7)—the adverb underscores the historical reliability of the resurrection sequence. In 15:24 it turns from history to future hope: “then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father,” asserting a chronological certainty to eschatology. Pastoral Instruction in 1 Timothy When Paul reminds Timothy that “Adam was formed first, then Eve” (1 Timothy 2:13), εἶτα grounds church order in creation order. Later he instructs that deacons “must also be tested first; then let them serve” (1 Timothy 3:10), placing spiritual assessment before public ministry. Both uses confirm that divine order safeguards gospel work. Discipline and Maturity in Hebrews and James Hebrews 12:9 contrasts earthly and heavenly fathers: “We respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, and yet we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live.” The “then” marks a progression from lesser to greater authority. James 1:15 maps the life-cycle of sin—desire conceives, sin is born, “then sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death”. The word punctuates the grim inevitability of sin’s course apart from grace. Historical-Linguistic Note In classical and Koine Greek εἶτα frequently functions in rhetoric to marshal proofs. The New Testament writers, under inspiration, employ the same device to display God’s purposeful ordering of events—history and doctrine lining up with prophetic precision. Implications for Expository Preaching and Teaching 1. Trace divine order: Each occurrence encourages preachers to highlight God’s ordained sequence—sowing before harvesting, testing before appointing, resurrection before consummation. Devotional and Practical Application Believers can pray through the εἶτα passages as checkpoints of spiritual growth: initial reception of truth, subsequent trials, maturation, service, and final glorification. The word teaches patience with God’s timing and vigilance against the enemy’s timing. Summary εἶτα is a small word with a large theological footprint. Whether marking stages of kingdom growth, steps in redemption history, or progressions of personal holiness, it quietly testifies that the God who authors the first act also directs every “then” until the story’s perfect conclusion in Christ. Englishman's Concordance Mark 4:17 AdvGRK: πρόσκαιροί εἰσιν εἶτα γενομένης θλίψεως NAS: but are [only] temporary; then, when affliction KJV: but for a time: afterward, when affliction INT: temporary are then having arisen tribulation Mark 4:28 Adv Mark 4:28 Adv Mark 8:25 Adv Luke 8:12 Adv John 13:5 Adv John 19:27 Adv John 20:27 Adv 1 Corinthians 15:5 Adv 1 Corinthians 15:7 Adv 1 Corinthians 15:24 Adv 1 Timothy 2:13 Adv 1 Timothy 3:10 Adv Hebrews 12:9 Adv James 1:15 Adv |
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