ἑξῆς (hexēs)
hexēs
next/afterward
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb hexēs means "next" or "in succession," describing events that follow one another closely in time or order. It comes from a root related to holding on or adjoining, suggesting a tight connection between what happens before and after. In the New Testament, it appears only five times, primarily in Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
Translators often render it as "the next day" or "soon after," depending on the context. For example, Luke uses it to mark specific moments, such as the healing that occurs "on the next day" (Luke 9:37) or Jesus’ entry into Nain "on the following day" (Luke 7:11). In Acts, it helps structure the narrative flow, noting actions taken on consecutive days like Paul’s hearing before Felix (Acts 24:25) or his journey to Rome (Acts 27:18).
This word provides a clear chronological marker without adding emotional weight. It simply places events in sequence, helping readers track the rapid pace of early Christian ministry and travel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hexēs simply marks what comes next in a sequence. It appears five times in the New Testament, mostly in Luke and Acts, to show that events follow one another without long pauses. This tight chronological flow helps readers track the rapid spread of the Gospel.
In Luke 7:11, Jesus arrives at Nain hexēs, showing how quickly His ministry moved from place to place. In Acts, it marks Paul’s journey and trials, reminding us that God’s work often unfolds in immediate, connected steps. This word does not add emotional weight; it just places events in order.
For your faith, this reminds you that God is present in every moment of succession. Whether you face a sudden change or a long wait, His plan moves forward with purpose. You can trust that each step leads to the next in His timing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- next [day]3×
- the next [day]1×
- next1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἑξῆς5×
Key Verses
-
Luke 7:11
Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.
This verse uses hexēs to show Jesus moving immediately from one location to Nain, highlighting the swift pace of His ministry.
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Luke 9:37
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.
Here, hexēs marks the transition from the Mount of Transfiguration to the valley, showing the immediate return to earthly challenges.
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Acts 21:1
When we had departed from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
This occurrence tracks Paul’s travel itinerary, emphasizing the sequential nature of his missionary journeys across the Mediterranean.
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Acts 25:17
When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought.
Paul uses this word to describe how quickly he acted after arriving in Caesarea, showing his promptness in handling legal matters.
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Acts 27:18
As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.
In this storm narrative, hexēs marks the critical next day when sailors began jettisoning cargo, illustrating the escalating crisis.