Lexical Summary schedon: nearly, almost Original Word: σχεδόν Strong's Exhaustive Concordance almost. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the alternate of echo as adverb; nigh, i.e. Nearly -- almost. see GREEK echo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from echó Definition near, nearly NASB Translation almost (2), nearly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4975: σχεδόνσχεδόν (ἔχω (σχεῖν), adverb, from Homer down; 1. near, hard by. 2. from Sophocles down (of degree, i. e.) well-nigh, nearly, almost; so in the N. T. three times before πᾶς: Acts 13:44; Acts 19:26; Hebrews 9:22 (but see Winers Grammar, 554 (515) n.; (R. V. I may almost say)); (2 Macc. 5:2; 3Macc. 5:14). The adverb appears three times in the Greek New Testament, always to express a situation that is virtually complete yet still short of absolute totality. Whether describing an eager crowd, an expansive missionary impact, or the breadth of Mosaic ceremony, the term underscores how close something can come to fullness without quite reaching “all.” Acts: Evangelistic Expansion Acts 13:44 records the aftermath of Paul’s inaugural synagogue sermon in Pisidian Antioch: “On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” The Spirit-empowered proclamation of the gospel drew almost the entire population, illustrating both the magnetic power of the word and the urgency felt by those who had not yet heard it. A similar force is evident in Acts 19:26, where Demetrius the silversmith laments, “You see and hear that not only at Ephesus but in practically all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.” Here the term comes from the lips of an unbeliever who inadvertently testifies to the widespread effectiveness of Paul’s witness. The gospel’s advance is portrayed as so extensive that opponents can only concede it is “practically” everywhere. Hebrews: Typology and Atonement Hebrews 9:22 employs the adverb within a theological argument that contrasts the provisional sacrifices of the old covenant with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ: “In fact, the Law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The inspired writer balances two truths: the Law prescribed blood for almost every rite of purification, yet there were minor exceptions (such as water for the poor or fire for metal vessels). By using the adverb rather than an absolute term, Scripture guards precision while advancing the main point—that forgiveness ultimately rests on shed blood, a truth consummated at the cross. Theological Reflections 1. Providence and human response: The Acts occurrences show that gospel advance can approach universality within a locality, yet God’s sovereignty still allows for individual decisions. “Nearly the whole city” heard, but only some believed (Acts 13:48). Practical Ministry Applications • When measurable gospel influence becomes extensive—whether a packed church, a city-wide outreach, or a regional revival—leaders should rejoice without presuming universal conversion. Genuine discipleship must follow initial interest. Historical Insight Luke’s consistent use of the term in Acts reflects his medical-historian training; he counts crowds and territories with clinical care. The Epistle to the Hebrews, likely addressed to wavering Jewish believers before the destruction of the Temple, reinforces that almost every Levitical ordinance was blood-based—information fresh in their communal memory. Both writers model how early Christian authors balanced zeal with accuracy. Intertextual Connections While the exact adverb is absent from the Septuagint, the concept of “almost” occurs in passages such as Psalms 73:2 (“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped”) and Deuteronomy 32:36 (“He will see that their strength is gone”). The New Testament term aligns with this Hebrew mindset of drawing attention to a threshold moment—dangerously near failure or gloriously near completion—thereby heightening the reader’s attentiveness to divine intervention. Conclusion Across narrative, polemic, and doctrinal exposition, the Spirit-inspired authors deploy this understated adverb to magnify God’s work without overstating it. “Nearly” crowds, “practically” entire regions, and “almost” all rituals together highlight a kingdom that is advancing powerfully yet still awaiting its perfect consummation in Christ. Englishman's Concordance Acts 13:44 AdvGRK: ἐρχομένῳ σαββάτῳ σχεδὸν πᾶσα ἡ NAS: The next Sabbath nearly the whole city KJV: sabbath day came almost the whole city INT: coming Sabbath almost all the Acts 19:26 Adv Hebrews 9:22 Adv |
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