Lexical Summary bathus: Deep, profound Original Word: βαθύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deepFrom the base of basis; profound (as going down), literally or figuratively -- deep, very early. see GREEK basis NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition deep NASB Translation deep (2), deep things (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 901: βαθέωςβαθέως, adverb, deeply: ὄρθρου βαθέως namely, ὄντος (cf. Bernhardy (1829), p. 338), deep in the morning, at early dawn, Luke 24:1 L T Tr WH; so Meyer at the passage But βαθέως here is more correctly taken as the Attic form of the genitive from βαθύς, which see; cf. Buttmann, 26 (23); (Lob. Phryn., p. 247). STRONGS NT 901: βαθύςβαθύς, βαθεῖα, βαθύ (cf. βάθος), deep; properly: John 4:11. metaphorically: ὕπνος, a deep sleep, Acts 20:9 (Sir. 22:7; often also in Greek writings); ὄρθρος (see βαθέως), Luke 24:1 ((Aristophanes vesp. 215); Plato, Crito 43 a.; Polyaen. 4, 9, 1; ἔτι βαθέος ὄρθρου, Plato, Prot. 310 a. (cf. also Philo de mutat. nom. § 30; de vita Moys. i. § 32)); τά βαθέα τοῦ Σατανᾶ, Revelation 2:24 (G L T Tr WH; cf. βάθος). The term translated “deep” appears only four times in the New Testament, yet spans literal, temporal, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. In John 4:11 the Samaritan woman notes, “You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep,” pointing to measurable physical depth. Luke 24:1 uses the adverbial form to mark “very early in the morning,” describing the still-dark “deep dawn” that frames the resurrection narrative. Acts 20:9 records Eutychus slipping into “a deep sleep,” an intensified state of unconsciousness. Revelation 2:24 speaks of “the so-called deep things of Satan,” exposing concealed doctrinal corruption within the church at Thyatira. Together the occurrences depict depth as something literal, experiential, and moral. Literal Depth and Human Limitations (John 4:11) The depth of Jacob’s well confronts human inability to reach life-sustaining water unaided. Christ’s offer of “living water” contrasts finite human resources with divine sufficiency, foreshadowing the Spirit’s indwelling gift (John 7:38-39). The episode underscores that true satisfaction lies beyond human reach unless granted from above. Temporal Depth: The Stillness before Dawn (Luke 24:1) “Very early in the morning” captures the liminal hour when darkness still prevails yet daylight is imminent. The women’s devotion in venturing out at “deep dawn” models faith that moves before evidence is visible. The phrase also highlights the historical reality of the empty tomb: the deepest darkness was pierced by the risen Christ. Depth of Sleep and Human Frailty (Acts 20:9) Eutychus’ “deep sleep” in the third-story window reveals both youthful weakness and the perils of spiritual inattention. The incident, culminating in his restoration to life, reinforces apostolic authority and God’s mercy toward physical and spiritual lethargy. Ministers today draw cautionary lessons on engagement, environment, and compassion for the weary flock. Moral and Spiritual Depths (Revelation 2:24) “The deep things of Satan” indict hidden esoteric teachings masquerading as superior insight. The Lord contrasts such counterfeit depth with genuine knowledge of Himself. By refusing to burden the faithful remnant further, Christ emphasizes grace while affirming that discernment is essential to resist seductive doctrines (compare 1 Timothy 4:1). Depth as a Canonical Motif Although the word group is rare, Scripture often speaks of depth metaphorically: • “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). These texts set the infinite depth of God’s wisdom against the destructive “depths” of Satan, urging believers to pursue the former and reject the latter. Historical Witness and Early Church Usage Early Christian writers exploited the contrast between divine and demonic “depths” to warn against Gnosticism and other secretive movements. The episode of Eutychus was cited by Irenaeus and later by Chrysostom to illustrate both pastoral patience and the resurrection power resident in the church. Implications for Christian Ministry 1. Preaching should draw on the well of Christ rather than the shallow pools of human speculation. Pastoral Counseling and Discipleship Applications • Encourage believers to acknowledge personal limits (“the well is deep”) and to depend on Christ’s sufficiency. Prayer and Worship Themes Prayers may celebrate the fathomless grace of God (“your judgments are like the great deep,” Psalm 36:6) and lament humanity’s inability to plumb those depths without His self-disclosure. Worship songs can contrast the shallow promises of the world with the profound satisfaction found in Christ. Summary In four strategic texts the New Testament employs “deep” to show physical limitation, pre-dawn faith, human frailty, and sinister deception. The believer is called away from false profundity into the inexhaustible depths of God’s wisdom and love, confident that Christ alone can draw living water from the deepest well and raise sleepers, even the dead, to new life. Englishman's Concordance Luke 24:1 Adj-GMSGRK: σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέως ἐπὶ τὸ INT: week morning very early to the John 4:11 Adj-NNS Acts 20:9 Adj-DMS Revelation 2:24 Adj-ANP Strong's Greek 901 |
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