ἐκεῖθεν

thence, from that place

Definition

ἐκεῖθεν is an adverb meaning 'from there' or 'thence,' indicating movement away from a previously mentioned location. It is used both literally for physical departure, as when Jesus 'went on from there' after teaching (Matthew 11:1), and in a more figurative or narrative sense to mark transitions between events or settings, such as the move from one town to another (Matthew 4:21). In some contexts, it can imply a point of origin or source, not just spatial but as a starting point for subsequent action, as seen when Jesus calls Matthew 'from there' at the tax booth (Matthew 9:9). The word consistently functions to connect scenes and actions within the Gospel narratives.

Biblical Usage

This adverb appears 27 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels (especially Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and Acts, where it serves as a common narrative connector. It is used to describe Jesus' movements from one place to another following teachings, healings, or conflicts (e.g., Matthew 12:9, 12:15). In Acts, it similarly tracks the travels of the apostles (e.g., Acts 13:4, 16:12). Its usage is almost entirely narrative, providing geographical and sequential flow rather than appearing in doctrinal discourse or epistles.

Etymology

Derived from the adverb ἐκεῖ (ekeí, G1563), meaning 'there,' combined with the suffix -θεν (-then), which denotes motion 'from' a place. This suffix is related to the root seen in words like ἔνθεν (énthen, 'from here'). Thus, ἐκεῖθεν literally means 'from there,' built from a demonstrative base indicating location plus a directional ending.

Semantic Range

In the Greco-Roman world, spatial and travel narratives were important for establishing authority and sequence, much like modern storytelling. ἐκεῖθεν reflects this cultural emphasis on movement and origin, often used in historical and biographical texts to structure accounts. For first-century readers, it would naturally signal a change of scene or the continuation of a journey, a common feature in ancient literature that highlighted the mobility of figures like Jesus and the apostles.

ἐκεῖ (ekeí, G1563) — means 'there,' indicating location without motion from it. ἔνθεν (énthen, G1759) — means 'from here' or 'hence,' the opposite directional from a nearer point. ὅθεν (hóthen, G3606) — means 'from where' or 'from which place,' often used more generally for source or origin.

Word Details

Scripture References