Understanding ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) Strong’s G1565: The Powerful Demonstrative Pronoun That Points to the Messiah’s Divine Authority

Pronunciation Guide: eh-KAY-nos

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1565: ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning “that one” or “that person/thing” with emphasis on distance or distinction. It functions as a pointer to someone or something specific but removed from the immediate context, often carrying connotations of importance or emphasis. In biblical usage, it frequently draws attention to a significant person, time, or concept worthy of special consideration.

Etymology and Morphology

• Demonstrative pronoun
• Derived from ἐκεῖ (ekei, “there”) + suffix -νος (-nos)
• Common in narrative and teaching passages
• Used to make clear distinctions between persons or things
• Often contrasted with οὗτος (houtos, “this one”)
• Frequently employed in significant theological contexts

ἐκεῖνος Morphology:

• ἐκεῖνος (masculine nominative singular) – that man/he
• ἐκείνου (masculine genitive singular) – of that man/of him
• ἐκείνῳ (masculine dative singular) – to/for that man/him
• ἐκεῖνον (masculine accusative singular) – that man/him
• ἐκεῖνοι (masculine nominative plural) – those men/they
• ἐκείνων (masculine genitive plural) – of those men/of them
• ἐκείνοις (masculine dative plural) – to/for those men/them
• ἐκείνους (masculine accusative plural) – those men/them
• ἐκείνη (feminine nominative singular) – that woman/she
• ἐκεῖνο (neuter nominative singular) – that thing/it

Origin & History

The word ἐκεῖνος has its roots in classical Greek, where it served as a demonstrative pronoun indicating distance (“that one over there”) as opposed to οὗτος (“this one here”). In Attic Greek literature, authors like Plato and Xenophon used it to point to persons or things removed from the immediate context, often with distinctive emphasis. In his “Republic,” Plato frequently employs ἐκεῖνος when referring to his ideal forms or concepts that exist beyond the physical world.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐκεῖνος usually translates the Hebrew demonstrative הוּא (hu) or הַהוּא (hahu), reinforcing its function as a pointer to something specific but distant. Its usage in the LXX established important precedents for how New Testament writers would later employ the term, particularly in contexts where they needed to mark a distinction between figures or concepts. The early Church Fathers, particularly Origen in his “Commentary on John,” noted how the Gospel writer strategically used ἐκεῖνος to emphasize the distinction and authority of the Messiah.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A demonstrative pronoun indicating distance from the speaker or writer (“that one” as opposed to “this one”)
• A term of emphasis pointing to a specific person or thing worthy of special attention
• A marker of distinction separating one person or thing from others in the context
• A temporal indicator referring to a specific time or occasion (“in that day”)
• A pronoun carrying connotations of significance or importance beyond mere identification

ἐκεῖνος Translation Options:

• “That one” – The most literal translation, emphasizing distance from the speaker
• “That very one” – Captures the emphatic quality often present in biblical uses
• “The aforementioned” – Useful when ἐκεῖνος refers back to someone previously mentioned
• “The one” – A smoother English rendering that maintains the specificity without awkwardness
• “The famous/notable one” – Appropriate when ἐκεῖνος carries connotations of distinction or reputation

Biblical Usage

The word ἐκεῖνος appears frequently throughout the New Testament, with particularly notable concentration in the Johannine literature. Its first appearance in Matthew 3:1 sets the pattern for how it often functions to mark a specific time or context. In the Gospels, ἐκεῖνος frequently refers to Yeshua (Jesus) with special emphasis, highlighting His unique identity and authority. John’s Gospel uses ἐκεῖνος extensively as a device to distinguish the Messiah from others and to emphasize His divine nature and mission.

In the epistles, ἐκεῖνος sometimes refers to the Messiah (as in 1 John), but also functions to point to specific teachings, events, or spiritual realities that the author wants to highlight. The word carries theological weight by creating distance and distinction, often serving to elevate the referent. Its usage in eschatological contexts (referring to “that day”) gives it additional significance in passages dealing with future judgment and redemption.

• “Now in those [ἐκείναις] days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” Matthew 3:1
• “But that [ἐκεῖνος] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36
• “He [ἐκεῖνος] must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
• “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He [ἐκεῖνος] will teach you all things.” John 14:26
• “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He [ἐκεῖνος] is, so also are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17
• “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This [ἐκεῖνός] is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
• “In this [ἐκείνῃ] hour He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit.” Luke 10:21

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish discourse, demonstrative pronouns carried significant rhetorical weight. Within rabbinic literature, the Hebrew equivalent of ἐκεῖνος (הַהוּא, hahu) was often used to refer to revered teachers or to emphasize authoritative teachings. This rhetorical distancing created a sense of reverence and distinction. The Gospel writers, particularly John, appear to have adapted this cultural convention when using ἐκεῖνος to refer to Yeshua, creating a subtle but powerful emphasis on His unique authority.

The distinction between ἐκεῖνος (“that one”) and οὗτος (“this one”) also reflects important cultural dynamics in first-century Jewish and Hellenistic contexts. Proximity language carried social implications – speaking of someone as “this one” implied familiarity or even presumption, while “that one” conveyed respect and recognition of elevated status. When John consistently uses ἐκεῖνος for Yeshua, he is making a culturally significant statement about the Messiah’s transcendent nature while simultaneously emphasizing His historical reality and presence.

Theological Significance

The strategic use of ἐκεῖνος in reference to Yeshua throughout the New Testament, particularly in John’s writings, serves to highlight the Messiah’s unique identity and authority. By consistently referring to Him as “that one,” the biblical authors create a linguistic distinction that parallels the theological distinction of the Messiah as set apart from all others. This usage reinforces the doctrine of Yeshua’s divine nature while acknowledging His historical reality.

In eschatological contexts, the phrase “in that day” (ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ) becomes a powerful theological marker pointing to Yahweh’s future intervention in history. The demonstrative pronoun creates both temporal distance and anticipatory significance, highlighting the decisive nature of God’s judgment and redemption. This usage connects to the Hebrew prophetic tradition where “that day” (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayom hahu) consistently refers to the Day of the Lord – a time when God’s righteousness and justice would be fully manifest. By maintaining this linguistic pattern, the New Testament authors affirm the continuity between God’s covenant promises to Israel and their fulfillment in the Messiah.

Personal Application

Understanding the significance of ἐκεῖνος can transform our reading of familiar passages, particularly in John’s Gospel. When we recognize how this word is used to emphasize the Messiah’s uniqueness and authority, we’re invited to approach Him with renewed reverence and awe. The linguistic distance created by the demonstrative pronoun reminds us of the proper stance before our Lord – one of worship rather than casual familiarity.

At the same time, the personal nature of many passages using ἐκεῖνος reminds us that this “distinguished one” desires relationship with us. When John writes that “as He is, so also are we in this world” (1 John 4:17), he’s using ἐκεῖνος to point to our transformation into the likeness of the One who is both transcendent and intimately present. This paradox invites us to live in the tension of reverent intimacy, approaching the throne of grace with confidence while maintaining a heart of worship.

Related Words

• οὗτος (houtos, “this one”) – The near demonstrative pronoun contrasted with ἐκεῖνος, referring to something in the immediate context rather than something distant. While ἐκεῖνος points to that which is removed or distinguished, οὗτος indicates proximity and immediacy. See G3778
• αὐτός (autos, “he/himself”) – A personal pronoun that can be intensive (“himself”) or simply third-person (“he”). Unlike ἐκεῖνος, it doesn’t inherently carry connotations of distance or distinction. See G846
• ὅδε (hode, “this here”) – A demonstrative pronoun even more emphatic about proximity than οὗτος, often translated “this very one.” It represents the extreme opposite of ἐκεῖνος on the spectrum of demonstrative distance. See G3592
• τοιοῦτος (toioutos, “such a one”) – A demonstrative pronoun referring to quality or kind rather than identity or distance. While ἐκεῖνος points to a specific person or thing, τοιοῦτος indicates a category or type. See G5108
• ἐκεῖ (ekei, “there”) – The adverb from which ἐκεῖνος derives, indicating spatial distance. Understanding this root helps clarify the inherent sense of distance in ἐκεῖνος. See G1563

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the Gospel of John uses ἐκεῖνος to refer to the Holy Spirit multiple times, particularly in the Farewell Discourse (John 14-16)? This usage is significant because it subtly emphasizes the personhood of the Spirit. Rather than using a neuter pronoun (which would match the grammatical gender of πνεῦμα, “spirit”), John opts for the masculine ἐκεῖνος, highlighting the Spirit’s personal nature and divine authority. This linguistic choice has profound theological implications for our understanding of the Trinity.
• Did you know that in Modern Greek, the descendant of ἐκεῖνος (spelled the same way) is still used as a demonstrative pronoun? However, its meaning has shifted slightly over time. While the ancient form carried strong connotations of distance and distinction, the modern usage is more neutral, simply indicating “that” as opposed to “this” without necessarily implying significant distance or emphasis. This linguistic evolution reminds us of the importance of understanding words in their historical context.
• Did you know that the strategic use of ἐκεῖνος in the New Testament reflects a sophisticated literary technique known as “deictic shifting”? This linguistic phenomenon involves manipulating the perceived distance between the speaker, audience, and subject. Biblical authors use ἐκεῖνος to create a sense of reverence and distinction when referring to the Messiah, while simultaneously drawing the reader into relationship with “that one” who is set apart. This rhetorical strategy invites readers to position themselves correctly in relation to the divine while affirming the historical reality of God’s incarnation.

Remember This

ἐκεῖνος is not merely a pointer to something distant, but a spotlight illuminating the unique authority and divine nature of the Messiah who, though transcendent, draws near to transform us into His likeness.