Lexical Summary ekei: there, in that place Original Word: ἐκεῖ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance there, to yonder place. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither -- there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition there, by ext. to there NASB Translation bystanders* (1), case (1), city (1), nearby (1), over there (1), place (2), place there (4), there (84). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1563: ἐκεῖἐκεῖ, adverb of place, there; a. properly: Matthew 2:13, 15; Matthew 5:24, and frequent. In Luke 13:28; ἐκεῖ is not used for ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ followed by ὅταν (at that time ... when etc.), but means in that place whither ye have been banished; cf. Meyer at the passage οἱ ἐκεῖ, namely, ὄντες, standing there, Matthew 26:71 (Tr marginal reading αὐτοί ἐκεῖ). It answers to a relative adverb: οὗ τό πνεῦμα, ἐκεῖ ἐλευθερία, 2 Corinthians 3:17 Rec.; Matthew 6:21; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 24:28; Mark 6:10; Luke 12:34; Hebraistically, where a preceding adverb or relative pronoun has already attracted the verb, ἐκεῖ is added to this verb pleonastically: Revelation 12:6 G T Tr WH (ὅπου ἔχει ἐκεῖ τόπον), Revelation 12:14 (ὅπου τρέφεται ἐκεῖ); cf. Deuteronomy 4:5, 14, 26; 1 Macc. 14:34, and what was said, p. 86{b}, 5 on the pronoun αὐτός after a relative. b. by a negligent use common also in the classics it stands after verbs of motion for ἐκεῖσε, thither: so after ἀπέρχομαι, Matthew 2:22; μεταβαίνω, Matthew 17:20; ὑπάγω, John 11:8; ἔρχομαι, John 18:3; προπέμπομαι, Romans 15:24; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., pp. 43f, 128; Hermann on Sophocles Antig. 515; Trachin. 1006; Alexander Buttmann (1873) on Philoct. 481; Winers Grammar, § 54, 7; Buttmann, 71 (62) and 378 (324). Topical Lexicon Overview The adverb ἐκεῖ occurs ninety-five times in the Greek New Testament and consistently points to a definite place—sometimes earthly, sometimes heavenly—where God’s purposes unfold. By marking location it anchors redemptive events, exposes the contrast between blessing and judgment, and guides the church’s mission. Narrative Orientation in Salvation History The infancy narrative of Matthew frames the early life of Jesus with repeated uses of ἐκεῖ (Matthew 2:13, 2:15, 2:22). Each occurrence signals a divinely chosen refuge—“Remain there until I tell you” (Matthew 2:13)—and thus ties geography to providence. Luke likewise positions the birth (“while they were there,” Luke 2:6) and crucifixion (“there they crucified Him,” Luke 23:33) within fixed places, reminding readers that the incarnation and atonement happened in verifiable settings. Divine Guidance and Prophetic Fulfillment God’s directives are frequently location-specific. When Christ prepares the Passover, He tells His disciples to follow a man with a water jar: “He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Prepare for us there” (Mark 14:15). Such pinpointing fulfills prophecy (Matthew 2:15) and underscores that obedience is not abstract but requires arriving where God appoints. Location of Presence and Fellowship Jesus promises His personal presence in gathered worship: “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). The adverb highlights that Christian fellowship becomes sacred ground because the risen Lord manifests Himself “there.” John 12:26 extends the thought to discipleship: “Where I am, there will My servant be also,” linking place to relational proximity. Contrasting Destinies: Fire, Darkness, and the Kingdom Several sayings of Jesus juxtapose blessed and cursed locations. Hell is described spatially: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 25:30). Conversely, the new creation promises uninterrupted light: “Its gates will never be shut by day, for there will be no night there” (Revelation 21:25). The adverb thus sharpens eschatological choices—every person will be “there” either in outer darkness or in the city of God. Miracle Settings and Ministry Movements Many healing and feeding narratives hinge on being “there.” Jesus prays alone on a mountain (Matthew 14:23), heals the man with the withered hand in the synagogue (Mark 3:1), and casts demons into a herd of pigs feeding nearby (Mark 5:11). The specificity underscores that power encounters with Christ are historical occurrences, not myths. Warnings about False Assurance and Deception End-times discourse cautions about misplaced expectations: “If anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it” (Mark 13:21). The term becomes part of a sober alert: not every claimed “there” is authentic; discernment is required to distinguish genuine revelation from counterfeit claims. Missionary Direction and Strategic Planning Paul’s journeys are repeatedly mapped by ἐκεῖ. In Acts 16:1 he arrives at Lystra and Derbe; in Acts 19:21 he purposes “to go to Rome also”; in Romans 15:24 he longs to see believers in Rome “and to be helped on my way there by you.” The vocabulary of “there” illustrates Spirit-led strategy rather than random wandering. Heavenly Sanctuary and Eschatological Comfort Revelation employs the word to reassure persecuted saints. The woman of chapter 12 flees to the wilderness “where she has a place prepared by God, so that she might be nourished there” (Revelation 12:6, 14). Final security rests not in earthly strongholds but in the place the Lord prepares. Ethical and Pastoral Application James confronts partiality by exposing seating arrangements in worship: “You say to the poor man, ‘Stand there’” (James 2:3). Location language uncovers heart motives. Likewise, James 3:16 warns that envy and self-seeking create a toxic environment: “there is disorder and every evil practice.” Believers are called to create spaces marked by purity and peace. Summary Whether indicating a manger in Bethlehem, a room in Jerusalem, a mission field across the sea, or the eternal city of light, ἐκεῖ directs attention to the tangible arenas where God’s sovereignty, judgment, mercy, and presence intersect human experience. Recognizing its usage encourages believers to honor the places God assigns, expect His presence among them, and live with sober awareness of the ultimate “there” that awaits every soul. Forms and Transliterations εκει εκεί ἐκεῖ κακεί ορχήσονται ekei ekeîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:13 AdvGRK: καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν NAS: and remain there until KJV: and be thou there until I INT: and remain there until anyhow Matthew 2:15 Adv Matthew 2:22 Adv Matthew 5:24 Adv Matthew 6:21 Adv Matthew 8:12 Adv Matthew 12:45 Adv Matthew 13:42 Adv Matthew 13:50 Adv Matthew 13:58 Adv Matthew 14:23 Adv Matthew 15:29 Adv Matthew 17:20 Adv Matthew 18:20 Adv Matthew 19:2 Adv Matthew 21:17 Adv Matthew 22:11 Adv Matthew 22:13 Adv Matthew 24:28 Adv Matthew 24:51 Adv Matthew 25:30 Adv Matthew 26:36 Adv Matthew 26:71 Adv Matthew 27:36 Adv Matthew 27:47 Adv |
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