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Introduction
Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for grasping the nuances of the New Testament text and the cultural context of the ancient world. The Greek word ἐπαύριον (epaurion) is significant as it refers to “the next day” or “tomorrow.” This word is often used in narrative contexts to mark the passage of time, helping to frame the sequence of events in the Gospels and other New Testament writings. Studying this term provides insight into how early Christians understood and communicated the flow of events and the unfolding of God’s plan.
Key Information
- The Greek Word: ἐπαύριον, transliterated as epaurion [eh-POW-ree-on].
- Etymology: Derived from the prefix ἐπ- (ep-), meaning “upon” or “on,” and αὔριον (aurion), meaning “tomorrow” or “the next day.”
- Part of Speech: Adverb.
- The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.
Primary Meanings
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- The next day.
- Tomorrow.
Similar Words: αὔριον (aurion) [OW-ree-on], meaning “tomorrow.” While αὔριον by itself also means “tomorrow,” ἐπαύριον is often used in more specific contexts to indicate “the following day” in narrative sequences, thereby providing a clearer sense of continuity in storytelling.
Further Insights: ἐπαύριον is an adverb used to indicate a temporal sequence, specifically referring to the day after a previously mentioned event. As an adverb, it does not change form (invariant) and remains consistent regardless of grammatical case or number. For more on understanding Greek grammar and the function of adverbs in Greek, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.
Lexicon Insights
BDAG: Defines ἐπαύριον as “on the next day,” frequently appearing in narrative texts to denote the day following a prior event or action. It emphasizes continuity in storytelling and is commonly found in the Gospels.
Thayers: Describes ἐπαύριον as “tomorrow” or “the next day,” highlighting its use in both classical and Koine Greek to indicate a future time frame, usually within the immediate context of an unfolding narrative.
Vines: Notes that ἐπαύριον means “the following day” or “tomorrow,” particularly in narrative literature. It is used to provide a chronological marker within a sequence of events.
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LSJ: Lists ἐπαύριον as “the next day” or “tomorrow,” found in both ancient Greek writings and Biblical texts, where it frequently occurs in narratives to mark a transition from one day to the next.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Recognizes ἐπαύριον as an adverb meaning “tomorrow” or “the next day,” noting its frequent appearance in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, to denote the next day after a significant event.
Related Scripture References
- John 1:29: “The next day [ἐπαύριον], John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”
- John 1:35: “The next day [ἐπαύριον], John was there again with two of his disciples.”
- John 12:12: “The next day [ἐπαύριον] the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.”
- Acts 25:6: “After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day [ἐπαύριον] he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.”
- Acts 20:15: “The next day [ἐπαύριον] we set sail from there and arrived off Chios.”
Classical Usage
| Author | Name of Work | English Text with Greek Word in Parentheses |
|---|---|---|
| Xenophon | Anabasis | “On the (ἐπαύριον), they continued their journey toward the river.” |
| Herodotus | Histories | “The battle preparations were completed, and the (ἐπαύριον), they engaged the enemy.” |
| Plato | Phaedo | “And on the (ἐπαύριον), he summoned his friends to discuss his philosophy.” |
| Septuagint Example | Genesis 19:34 (LXX) | “And on the (ἐπαύριον), the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also…'” |
| Septuagint Example | 1 Samuel 30:17 (LXX) | “And David smote them from twilight even unto the evening of the (ἐπαύριον), and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled.” |
| Septuagint Example | Numbers 16:41 (LXX) | “But on the (ἐπαύριον), all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron…” |
Summary of ἐπαύριον (G1887: epaurion)
The Greek word ἐπαύριον (epaurion), meaning “the next day” or “tomorrow,” is a significant temporal marker in the New Testament. It is used to indicate the passage of time and helps to structure the narrative flow, particularly in the Gospels and Acts. The word provides readers with a sense of continuity and anticipation, connecting events across days to show the progression of divine events or human actions. Understanding its use deepens our comprehension of Biblical narratives, allowing us to appreciate the subtle ways time and sequence are presented in the text. Additionally, its appearance in both Biblical and classical Greek texts demonstrates its importance in broader Greek literature, highlighting its utility in temporal storytelling.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the word ἐπαύριον is not only used to describe a simple “next day” event but also carries an undertone of anticipation and expectation in ancient texts? In many contexts, the use of ἐπαύριον can signal a significant or momentous event that is to unfold, creating a sense of suspense or foreshadowing for readers or listeners. This literary technique has been preserved throughout centuries and remains a powerful narrative tool even in modern storytelling.
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