Lexical Summary husteron: later, afterward Original Word: ὕστερον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance afterward, last of all. Neuter of husteros as adverb; more lately, i.e. Eventually -- afterward, (at the) last (of all). see GREEK husteros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originneut. of husteros Definition afterwards, later NASB Translation afterward (4), afterwards (1), last (1), later (3). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 5305 (ὕστερον, hýsteron) consistently signals a subsequent moment in God’s unfolding plan. Whether narrating events in Jesus’ earthly ministry, illustrating moral lessons, or expounding spiritual formation, the word underscores the contrast between an earlier opportunity and what transpires “later.” In every setting it urges hearers and readers to reckon with the passing of time in light of divine purpose. Temporal Sequence in Salvation History Matthew’s Gospel places ὕστερον at strategic turning points. After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry” (Matthew 4:2), the adverb introduces the Messiah’s physical weakness just before He defeats Satan’s temptations, demonstrating His full obedience. The same Gospel repeatedly uses ὕστερον in the Passion Week parables (Matthew 21–25) to mark the escalating stages of redemptive history: servants rejected earlier, “later” the son is sent (Matthew 21:37); seven brothers marry a widow, “finally” she dies (Matthew 22:27); the foolish virgins arrive “later” to find the door shut (Matthew 25:11). Each scene emphasizes that God’s grace operates in sequence and culminates in decisive judgment. Timely Obedience and Discipleship In the Parable of the Two Sons, the one who answered, “I will not,” “But later he changed his mind and went” (Matthew 21:29). Here ὕστερον reminds disciples that delayed obedience, while still valued, never negates the earlier call. Conversely, Peter’s zeal is checked by Jesus’ sober promise: “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36). The word comforts persevering believers with the assurance that discipleship sometimes means waiting for a divinely appointed “later.” Eschatological Urgency The ten virgins illustrate how “later” can arrive too late: “Later, the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’” (Matthew 25:11). The adverb carries eschatological weight—once the Bridegroom has come, any subsequent appeal is futile. Mark likewise records the risen Christ appearing “Later… and rebuk[ing] them for their unbelief” (Mark 16:14). Resurrection reality had dawned; unbelief persisted only “afterward,” exposing its culpability. Pastoral and Spiritual Formation Hebrews draws on the training of athletes and sons: “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). The promise of a fruitful “afterward” sustains believers under God’s loving chastisement, encouraging patient endurance. Christ’s Passion and Resurrection Witness Matthew 26:60 records the chief priests’ frustrated search: “Finally two came forward.” The late appearance of false witnesses shows human scheming scrambling for credibility, contrasting with God’s sovereign timetable that will vindicate His Son on the third day. Post-resurrection, ὕστερον notes the sequence of appearances, underscoring the historical reality of the empty tomb and the apostolic mandate that flows from it (Mark 16:14). Ethical and Missional Implications 1. Urgency of response: Opportunities granted now may not remain “later.” Key References Matthew 4:2; 21:29, 32, 37; 22:27; 25:11; 26:60 Forms and Transliterations καὶ υστερον ύστερον ὕστερον hysteron hýsteron kai kaì usteronLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:2 AdvGRK: νύκτας τεσσεράκοντα ὕστερον ἐπείνασεν KJV: nights, he was afterward an hungred. INT: nights forty afterward he hungered matthew 21:29 Adj-ANS Matthew 21:32 Adv Matthew 21:37 Adv Matthew 22:27 Adv Matthew 25:11 Adv Matthew 26:60 Adv Mark 16:14 Adv Luke 20:32 Adv John 13:36 Adv Hebrews 12:11 Adv |
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