Greek word · G1810

ἐξαίφνης

exaiphnēs

suddenly

Suddenly, unexpectedly, all at once. Something happens that was neither anticipated nor prepared for.

Appears 5 times in 5 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

ἐξ-αίφνης (WH, ἐξέφνης, exc. Acts 22:6; see App., p. 151, and cf. M, Pr., 35), adv.

(ἄφνω), [in LXX chiefly for פִּתְאוֹם ;]

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: Suddenly, unexpectedly, all at once. Something happens that was neither anticipated nor prepared for.
Against the English: Every major version says 'suddenly', which is accurate.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Greek Old Testament it often marks sudden divine action. In Malachi 3:1, 'suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple', the Greek uses exaiphnēs. Luke uses it for the sudden appearance of the angelic army at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:13) and repeats it in Paul's own account (Acts 22:6).

Range of meaning: Suddenly, unexpectedly, without warning.
Against the English: 'Suddenly' is accurate everywhere.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Septuagint, Malachi 3:1 says the Lord 'will suddenly come to his temple' (a related form, ἐξάπινα). In the New Testament it appears in Mark 13:36 and Luke 9:39, and in Acts 9:3 and 22:6 for the light from heaven around Paul.

Range of meaning: Suddenly, unexpectedly, without warning. It marks an event that breaks in with no advance notice. It is rare in the New Testament, appearing only here and at Luke 2:13; 9:39; Acts 9:3; 22:6.
Against the English: KJV, WEB, YLT and most others say "suddenly." BSB's "without notice" and NLT's "without warning" bring out the side that matters most in this context: nobody is told in advance.
How it drifted: "Suddenly" can suggest speed or "very soon" to a modern ear, especially in end-times discussion. The Greek concerns the lack of warning. It does not set a timetable.
Used elsewhere in the period: The Greek Old Testament uses it at Malachi 3:1: "and suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple." The Hebrew word behind it there, pithʾom, also describes the destroyer's unannounced arrival in Jeremiah 6:26. In the New Testament it describes the angelic host appearing (Luke 2:13) and the light striking Saul (Acts 9:3; 22:6).

Mark · 1

Mark 13:36 ἐξαίφνης suddenly

Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.

Here: Without warning, from the point of view of those waiting. It describes the lack of notice, and says nothing about whether the coming is near or far off.

Luke · 2

Luke 2:13 ἐξαίφνης suddenly

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

Here: With no warning the single angel is joined by a vast company. Luke uses the same word for the blinding light that surrounds Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3; 22:6). It marks a break-in from heaven.
Luke 9:39 ἐξαίφνης suddenly

A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him.

Acts · 2

Acts 9:3 ἐξαίφνης suddenly

As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Here: Without warning. In biblical Greek the word often marks a sudden act of God that no one prepared for or asked for (compare Mal 3:1 in the Greek Old Testament).
Acts 22:6 ἐξαίφνης suddenly

About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.