Lexical Summary ekeithen: From there, thence Original Word: ἐκεῖθεν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance from that place, from thence, there. From ekei; thence -- from that place, (from) thence, there. see GREEK ekei NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ekei Definition from there NASB Translation there (24), town (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1564: ἐκεῖθενἐκεῖθεν, adverb of place, thence, from that place (A. V. sometimes from thence): Matthew 4:21; Mark 6:1; Luke 9:4; John 4:43; Acts 13:4; and often in the historical books of the N. T. οἱ ἐκεῖθεν elliptically for οἱ ἐκεῖθεν, διαβῆναι, θέλοντες, Luke 16:26 (where L WH omit οἱ). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Nuance While usually rendered “from there” or “thence,” ἐκεῖθεν conveys more than mere geography. The adverb signals transition, separation, and purposeful movement under the direction of God. It frames scenes where the Lord or His servants leave one setting to begin another work, underscoring the forward momentum of redemptive history. Geographic Transitions in the Ministry of Jesus 1. Galilean beginnings (Matthew 4:21; 9:9, 27). Each “from there” links successive calls and miracles, revealing a Messiah who actively seeks the lost rather than remaining stationary. Progressive Revelation Through Movement Jesus’ physical departures parallel escalating revelation. Leaving the synagogue for the open countryside (Matthew 12:9-15) foreshadows the Gospel’s expansion beyond institutional Judaism. Each “from there” widens the audience, hinting that the good news will not be confined. Apostolic Mission in Acts Acts employs ἐκεῖθεν in travel summaries that spotlight Holy Spirit leadership. Eschatological Contrast Luke 16:26 uses the term in Jesus’ teaching on the rich man and Lazarus: “And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross from there to us”. Here “from there” stresses the irreversible divide of final judgment, contrasting earthly mobility with eternal fixity. Consummation in the New Jerusalem Revelation 22:2: “Down the middle of the main street of the city flows a river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The ultimate “from there” situates the believer’s eternal life-source in God Himself, completing the trajectory that began with Christ leaving heaven to dwell among men. Theological Reflections • Divine initiative: Every “from there” affirms a God who acts first—calling, sending, and relocating His servants. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Availability: Like Matthew, who “got up and followed Him” (Matthew 9:9), believers should be ready to leave comfort zones instantly. Intertextual Connections The Septuagint often uses ἐκεῖθεν to mark key salvation-historical shifts (e.g., Genesis 12:8; Exodus 14:19). The New Testament echoes this pattern, portraying Jesus as the true Abraham who journeys at God’s command and Paul as a new Exodus guide leading souls from bondage to freedom. Summary Strong’s Greek 1564 accents the purposeful departures of Christ, the directed travels of His apostles, the irrevocable gulf of judgment, and the life-giving source of eternity. Each occurrence testifies that God moves His story—and His people—forward until all history flows “from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Forms and Transliterations εκειθεν εκείθεν εκείθέν ἐκεῖθεν ἐκεῖθέν εκείθον ekeithen ekeîthen ekeîthénLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:21 AdvGRK: Καὶ προβὰς ἐκεῖθεν εἶδεν ἄλλους NAS: Going on from there He saw two KJV: And going on from thence, he saw other INT: And having gone on from there he saw others Matthew 5:26 Adv Matthew 9:9 Adv Matthew 9:27 Adv Matthew 11:1 Adv Matthew 12:9 Adv Matthew 12:15 Adv Matthew 13:53 Adv Matthew 14:13 Adv Matthew 15:21 Adv Matthew 15:29 Adv Matthew 19:15 Adv Mark 6:1 Adv Mark 6:10 Adv Mark 6:11 Adv Mark 7:24 Adv Mark 10:1 Adv Luke 9:4 Adv Luke 12:59 Adv Luke 16:26 Adv John 4:43 Adv John 11:54 Adv Acts 13:4 Adv Acts 18:7 Adv Acts 20:13 Adv |
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