μεταξύ (metaxu)
metaxu
between/meanwhile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word metaxu functions as both an adverb and a preposition, primarily indicating a position or state "between" two points. In spatial terms, it marks the gap separating objects or people, such as the great chasm fixed between the righteous and the wicked in Luke 16:26, or the space between Peter and the wall in Acts 12:6. It also describes relational distance, highlighting the boundary that exists between individuals who need reconciliation, as seen in Matthew 18:15.
When used temporally, metaxu shifts from physical space to time. It often means "in the meantime" or "during the interval," capturing the period waiting for an event to conclude. A clear example is John 4:31, where the disciples urge Jesus to eat while He speaks of a spiritual harvest that has not yet been gathered. In this sense, it describes the active pause before a fulfillment.
Later New Testament usage, particularly in Acts 13:42, employs metaxu to mean "after" or "the following day," reflecting a linguistic shift where the interval between events becomes the marker of what comes next. This evolution shows how the concept of separation naturally extends into chronological sequence, marking the time that follows one moment and precedes another.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word metaxu reminds us that God is present in the spaces we often try to ignore. Whether it is the physical distance between people or the time waiting for an answer, these moments are not empty. They are places where faith takes root. When we feel stuck in a gap, we can trust that God sees us there just as clearly as He sees us in the open.
In relationships, this word invites us to bridge divides with humility. Jesus taught that resolving conflict should happen privately, face to face, removing the noise of public opinion. This approach protects dignity and opens the door for genuine reconciliation. It is a practical way to show love when tensions rise.
We also see metaxu in the quiet pauses of life. The disciples wanted Jesus to eat while He spoke of spiritual harvests, highlighting the tension between our immediate needs and God’s larger plans. These intervals are not distractions from God’s work; they are part of it. We can rest in the knowledge that God is working even when the outcome is not yet visible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- between7×
- next1×
- meantime1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μεταξὺ9×
Key Verses
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Luke 16:26
Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
This verse uses metaxu to describe an unbridgeable spiritual separation, highlighting the seriousness of eternal choices.
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Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
Here the word defines the private space for conflict resolution, emphasizing personal responsibility and intimacy in reconciliation.
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Acts 12:6
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
Peter is literally between two soldiers, showing how God can place His people in dangerous gaps before delivering them.
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John 4:31
In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
The disciples urge Jesus to eat 'in the meanwhile,' contrasting physical hunger with spiritual readiness during a waiting period.