2112. eutheós
Lexical Summary
eutheós: Immediately, straightway, at once

Original Word: εὐθέως
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: eutheós
Pronunciation: yoo-theh-oce'
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-theh'-oce)
KJV: anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway
NASB: immediately, shortly
Word Origin: [adverb from G2117 (εὐθύς - immediately)]

1. directly, i.e. at once or soon

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
as soon as, forthwith, immediately

Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon -- anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway.

see GREEK euthus

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adverb from euthus
Definition
at once, directly
NASB Translation
immediately (32), shortly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2112: εὐθέως

εὐθέως, adverb (from εὐθύς), straightway, immediately, forthwith: Matthew 4:20, 22; Matthew 8:3, and often in the historical books, especially Mark's Gospel (where, however, T Tr WH have substituted εὐθύς in some 35 out of 41 cases); elsewhere only in Galatians 1:16; James 1:24; Revelation 4:2, (for פִּתְאֹם, Job 5:3). shortly, soon: 3 John 1:14. (From Sophocles down.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of New Testament Usage

The word translated “immediately,” “at once,” or “straightway” occurs eighty-seven times in the Greek New Testament. Its concentration in the Gospel of Mark gives that Gospel its rapid, action-oriented pace, yet the term appears in every narrative stratum—from the Synoptics to Revelation—linking decisive divine action with equally decisive human response.

Narrative Function and Literary Distribution

1. Synoptic Gospels
• Matthew employs the adverb to underscore quick obedience (Matthew 4:20, 22), instant healing (Matthew 8:3; 20:34), and sudden eschatological change (Matthew 24:29).
• Mark, using the shorter form εὐθύς, strings events together so the reader feels the urgent march of Messianic ministry (Mark 1:10-43; 2:8-12; 4:15-29; 5:2-42). The word appears some forty-one times, creating Mark’s signature “breathless” style.
• Luke highlights the immediacy of healing and obedience (Luke 5:13; 12:36; 14:5).
2. Johannine Writings
• John links the word with the instantaneous power of Christ (John 5:9; 6:21) and the swift betrayal sequence (John 13:30).
• Revelation uses it to signal sudden transport “in the Spirit” (Revelation 4:2).
3. Acts and Pauline Literature
• Acts records immediate physical restorations (Acts 9:18, 34), instantaneous angelic deliverance (Acts 12:10), and prompt evangelistic initiative (Acts 16:10; 17:10).
• Paul recalls that upon receiving the gospel he “did not rush to consult with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16), indicating prompt obedience to divine revelation.
4. General Epistles
• James contrasts the fleeting self-view in a mirror: “he goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:24).
• 3 John anticipates an “immediate” visit (3 John 14).

Immediate Obedience in Discipleship

The first disciples “left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20). Their response sets a paradigm: when the authoritative call of Christ is heard, delay is disobedience. This motif runs through Mark 1:18-20, Acts 9:20, and Galatians 1:16. Ministry application: gospel workers invite hearers to respond without procrastination, echoing Isaiah 55:6.

Instantaneous Divine Intervention

Miracles consistently unfold without lapse. “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be cleansed.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Such immediacy attests:
• Christ’s sovereign authority over sickness (Matthew 20:34; Mark 1:42).
• Power inherent in His word (Luke 5:13).
• Authenticity of apostolic ministry (Acts 9:34).

Theological implication: salvation, like healing, is a momentary act of grace (Ephesians 2:5), though sanctification is lifelong.

Urgent Evangelism and Mission

“Immediately we sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel” (Acts 16:10). Spirit-guided strategy tolerates no lethargy. Churches derive a pattern: discern God’s direction, then move without hesitation.

Eschatological Suddenness

Matthew 24:29 links the word with the cosmic upheaval that follows the tribulation “immediately.” Believers anticipate swift fulfillment of prophecy; scoffers forget the Lord can “act suddenly” (cf. Malachi 3:1). The term underlines both comfort and warning: Christ’s return will leave no time for a last-minute change of heart.

Mark’s Theological Emphasis on Authority

By repeating the adverb, Mark compresses events: baptism, temptation, kingdom proclamation, exorcism, and healing unfold “immediately.” The literary tempo mirrors the inbreaking kingdom, demonstrating that where the King is present, no barrier endures.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

1. Cultivate prompt obedience; delayed holiness is disobedience in seed form.
2. Pray expecting God to answer in His timing, yet believing He can intervene instantly.
3. Preach the urgency of decision, following Paul who “immediately” proclaimed Christ (Acts 9:20).

Historical Reception

Early Church Fathers noticed Mark’s repeated εὐθύς, interpreting it as evidence of Peter’s eyewitness tempo (Papias). Reformers cited the word to stress sola fide—justification occurs at once. Revivalists such as Charles Spurgeon heralded the immediacy of new birth, echoing Acts 16:33, where the jailer was baptized the same night.

Summary

Throughout Scripture, the adverb translated “immediately” signals the swift execution of God’s purposes and calls for an equally swift human response. Whether narrating miracles, discipleship, mission, or the consummation of all things, the term underscores the living God’s capacity to act without delay and the believer’s calling to follow without hesitation.

Forms and Transliterations
ευθές ευθεως ευθέως εὐθέως ευθή ευθηνήσαν ευθηνία ευθηνίας ευθηνούν ευθηνούντες ευθηνούντων ευθηνούσα ευθηνούσι ευθηνών ευθής ευθούς ευθυνούσιν ευθυς ευθύς εὐθύς εὐθὺς eutheos eutheōs euthéos euthéōs euthus euthys euthýs euthỳs
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 3:16 Adv
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς εὐθὺς ἀνέβη ἀπὸ
INT: Jesus immediately went up from

Matthew 4:20 Adv
GRK: οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὰ
NAS: Immediately they left their nets
KJV: And they straightway left
INT: moreover immediately having left the

Matthew 4:22 Adv
GRK: οἱ δὲ εὐθέως ἀφέντες τὸ
NAS: Immediately they left the boat
KJV: And they immediately left the ship
INT: moreover immediately having left the

Matthew 8:3 Adv
GRK: καθαρίσθητι καὶ εὐθέως ἐκαθαρίσθη αὐτοῦ
NAS: be cleansed. And immediately his leprosy
KJV: And immediately his
INT: be you cleansed And immediately was cleansed his

Matthew 13:5 Adv
GRK: πολλήν καὶ εὐθέως ἐξανέτειλεν διὰ
NAS: soil; and immediately they sprang
KJV: and forthwith they sprung up,
INT: much and immediately they sprang up because of

Matthew 13:20 Adv
GRK: ἀκούων καὶ εὐθὺς μετὰ χαρᾶς
INT: hears and immediately with joy

Matthew 13:21 Adv
GRK: τὸν λόγον εὐθὺς σκανδαλίζεται
INT: the word immediately he falls away

Matthew 14:22 Adv
GRK: Καὶ εὐθέως ἠνάγκασεν τοὺς
NAS: Immediately He made the disciples
KJV: And straightway Jesus constrained
INT: And immediately he compelled the

Matthew 14:27 Adv
GRK: εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν
KJV: But straightway Jesus spake
INT: immediately moreover spoke

Matthew 14:31 Adv
GRK: εὐθέως δὲ ὁ
NAS: Immediately Jesus stretched
KJV: And immediately Jesus stretched forth
INT: immediately moreover

Matthew 20:34 Adv
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέβλεψαν καὶ
NAS: their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight
KJV: eyes: and immediately their eyes
INT: of them and immediately they received sight and

Matthew 21:2 Adv
GRK: ὑμῶν καὶ εὐθέως εὑρήσετε ὄνον
KJV: and straightway ye shall find
INT: of you and immediately you will find a donkey

Matthew 21:3 Adv
GRK: χρείαν ἔχει εὐθὺς δὲ ἀποστελεῖ
KJV: and straightway he will send
INT: need has immediately moreover he will send

Matthew 24:29 Adv
GRK: Εὐθέως δὲ μετὰ
NAS: But immediately after the tribulation
INT: Immediately moreover after

Matthew 25:15 Adv
GRK: καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν εὐθέως
KJV: and straightway took his journey.
INT: and he left the region immediately

Matthew 26:49 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθέως προσελθὼν τῷ
NAS: Immediately Judas went to Jesus
KJV: And forthwith he came to Jesus,
INT: And immediately having come up

Matthew 26:74 Adv
GRK: ἄνθρωπον καὶ εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν
KJV: And immediately the cock
INT: man And immediately a rooster crowed

Matthew 27:48 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθέως δραμὼν εἷς
NAS: Immediately one of them ran,
KJV: And straightway one of
INT: And immediately having run one

Mark 1:10 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθὺς ἀναβαίνων ἐκ
KJV: And straightway coming up out of
INT: And immediately going up from

Mark 1:12 Adv
GRK: Καὶ εὐθὺς τὸ πνεῦμα
INT: And immediately the Spirit

Mark 1:18 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθὺς ἀφέντες τὰ
KJV: And straightway they forsook their
INT: And immediately having left the

Mark 1:20 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθὺς ἐκάλεσεν αὐτούς
KJV: And straightway he called them:
INT: And immediately he called them

Mark 1:21 Adv
GRK: Καφαρναούμ Καὶ εὐθὺς τοῖς σάββασιν
KJV: and straightway on the sabbath day
INT: Capernaum and immediately on the Sabbath

Mark 1:23 Adv
GRK: καὶ εὐθὺς ἦν ἐν
INT: And immediately there was in

Mark 1:28 Adv
GRK: ἀκοὴ αὐτοῦ εὐθὺς πανταχοῦ εἰς
INT: news of him immediately everywhere in

Strong's Greek 2112
87 Occurrences


εὐθέως — 36 Occ.
εὐθὺς — 51 Occ.

2111
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