Hereafter
Biblical Meaning and Usage
The English term 'hereafter' in Bible translations typically renders several Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words that convey the sense of 'after this,' 'from now on,' or 'in the future.' Unlike modern English, which often uses 'hereafter' to refer vaguely to life after death, the biblical terms are more temporally precise. They mark a transition point from the present into a new phase of God's unfolding plan.
Old Testament Foundations
In the Old Testament, the concept appears through Hebrew words like 'achar' (meaning 'after,' 'behind,' or 'last'). For instance, Isaiah 41:23 challenges false gods to 'declare the things that are to come hereafter' ('achor), highlighting Yahweh's unique sovereignty over future events. In Ezekiel 20:39, God dismisses idolatrous Israel with 'Go ye, serve every one his idols, and hereafter also,' using 'achar' to denote a consequential future state following disobedience. The Aramaic form 'achare dhen' ('after this') appears in Daniel's interpretations of Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, pointing to successive kingdoms and God's ultimate establishment of an eternal kingdom (Daniel 2:29, 45).
New Testament Development and Eschatology
The New Testament employs several Greek phrases translated as 'hereafter.' A crucial example is Jesus' declaration before the Sanhedrin: 'Hereafter (ap' arti) ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven' (Matthew 26:64). The Greek 'ap' arti' means 'from now on,' indicating that the era of his exaltation and judgment begins immediately from that point forward, not at a distant, unspecified time. Similarly, Luke 22:69 uses 'apo tou nun' ('from now') for the same declaration. In John 13:7, Jesus tells Peter, 'What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter (meta tauta),' with 'meta tauta' meaning 'after these things,' referring to the post-resurrection understanding that would follow the events of the Passion.
Theological Implications of 'From Now On'
The translation 'henceforth' or 'from now on' (as found in many modern versions like the ESV and NIV for Matthew 26:64) captures a vital theological nuance. It signifies an inaugurated eschatology—a future reality breaking into the present. Jesus' session at God's right hand begins at his ascension, and his authority is exercised now, even as the full manifestation of his coming remains future. This transforms 'hereafter' from a mere marker of chronological sequence into a statement about the new covenant era initiated by Christ's work.
Distinguishing Temporal and Eternal Futures
Biblical references to the 'hereafter' encompass both imminent historical futures and the ultimate eternal state. Some passages refer to events within salvation history (like the fall of Jerusalem or the spread of the gospel), while others point to the final resurrection, judgment, and new creation. For example, Revelation's frequent use of 'meta tauta' ('after these things,' as in Revelation 4:1) often signals a new visionary sequence within God's revealed plan for the end times, weaving together temporal and eternal perspectives.
Biblical Context
The term and concept appear across both Testaments. In the Old Testament, it is found in prophetic books like Isaiah and Ezekiel, and in the Aramaic portions of Daniel, often in contexts of divine judgment, the succession of empires, and future hope. In the New Testament, it is most significant in the Gospels (Matthew, John, Luke) in the words of Jesus, particularly during his Passion, declaring the inauguration of his exalted reign. It also appears in Revelation, structuring the visionary narrative. It plays the role of a temporal hinge, marking the transition from the old age to the new age initiated by Christ.
Theological Significance
The biblical use of 'hereafter' teaches crucial truths about God's sovereignty over time and history. It affirms that God declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). In the New Testament, it becomes christologically focused, revealing that the future Kingdom of God has been decisively launched in the person and work of Jesus. It challenges a purely futuristic eschatology by emphasizing that the 'age to come' has broken into the 'present evil age' (Galatians 1:4). This shapes Christian hope as both a present reality and a future consummation, grounding faith in the certainty of God's promises yet to be fully realized.
Historical Background
The ancient Near Eastern and Second Temple Jewish worldview was fundamentally linear and teleological, in contrast to the cyclical time of many other cultures. Belief in a purposeful future shaped by God's actions was central to Israelite faith. Extra-biblical Jewish literature from the intertestamental period (like 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra) shows a heightened focus on apocalyptic futures, resurrection, and final judgment. Jesus' use of 'hereafter' (ap' arti) would have resonated within this context but radically re-centered the pivotal turning point of history on his own death and resurrection.