BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Ekeinos (G1565) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
G1565 ekeinos is a Greek demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that one' or 'that thing,' often strengthened by the article, used to point back to a previously mentioned person or to a remote/emphatic referent.
Meaning of the word
Ekeinos is a third-person demonstrative pronoun in Greek. At its core it points to something that is not present with the speaker but is 'over there' or 'that one,' distinguishing the referent from the immediate context. The lexicon entry glosses it as 'that one (or thing),' and notes that it is often intensified by the article prefixed to it.
In form, ekeinos inflects for case, number, and gender like an ordinary adjective/pronoun, so it appears as ekeinos (masculine), ekeine (feminine, as in Matthew 7:22 'in that day'), or ekeino (neuter). The form ekeine in Matthew 7:22 is the dative feminine singular, meaning 'in that day' — pointing to a specific, already-introduced time.
Functionally, ekeinos is used to mark a referent as remote or emphatic. The article-prefixed form tends to single out a particular individual: 'that very one,' distinguishing him or her from others in view. In John 1:8 John the Baptist is identified as not the Light but the one sent to witness — and in John 3:28–30 the same pronoun distinguishes the coming Christ ('that one,' ekeinou) from John himself, who must decrease.
Usage in Scripture
In Matthew 7:22, 7:25, and 7:27, ekeinos marks a specific, already-noted referent: 'that day' and 'that house.' In Jesus' Olivet-style warning the pronoun distances the eschatological day and the two contrasted houses (one on rock, one on sand), making them definite and vivid in the narrative.
In John's Gospel ekeinos carries notable theological weight. John 1:8 distinguishes the witness from the Light itself. John 3:28 and 3:30 contrast 'that one' (the coming Christ) with John, who must decrease. In John 14:20–26 and 15:26 and 16:8 the pronoun identifies the promised Helper, the Spirit of truth, as the definite 'that one' who will teach, remind, witness, and convict the world. Readers should note that the same word is doing two distinct jobs: pointing back to an earlier mentioned person, and singling out a specific divine agent for emphasis.
The word in detail
- G1565 Ekeinos is a demonstrative pronoun glossed 'that one (or thing),' often strengthened by the prefixed article. It marks a referent as remote or definite, distinguishing it from others in the surrounding context. In John's Gospel it frequently identifies a specific divine or authoritative figure (the Christ, the Spirit).
Example verses
- John 1:8 Ekeinos identifies the Baptist as 'that one' — the witness, not the Light. The pronoun separates his role from the one he points to.
- John 3:28 John uses ekeinou ('that one') for the coming Christ, contrasting himself as the friend of the bridegroom with the bridegroom himself.
- John 3:30 Ekeinon ('that one') refers to Christ, who must increase, while John must decrease — the pronoun heightens the contrast.
- John 16:8 Ekeinos singles out the promised Spirit as the definite one who, when he comes, will convict the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Common questions
What does ekeinos mean in simple terms?
It means 'that one' or 'that thing.' It is a Greek demonstrative pronoun used to point to a person or item that is not the immediate topic but is definite and often emphatic, sometimes intensified by the article.
Why does John keep using ekeinos for the Spirit?
The pronoun identifies the Spirit as a definite, personal agent distinct from Jesus and the Father, matching John's pattern of distinguishing the divine persons while keeping the same vocabulary of witness and sending.
Is ekeinos the same as autos?
No. Autos is the ordinary third-person pronoun ('he/she/it'), often meaning 'the same.' Ekeinos is a demonstrative that marks the referent as remote or emphatic ('that one'). They can overlap in translation but signal different emphasis in Greek.