Greek word · G3916

παραχρῆμα

parachrēma

instantly

Immediately, at once, on the spot. It comes from para to chrēma, 'at the matter itself'.

Appears 18 times in 18 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

παραχρῆμα

adv. (= παρὰ τὸ χρῆμα), [in LXX: Numbers 6:9 12:4, Isaiah 29:5 30:13 (פִּתְאוֹם), etc. ;]

on the spot, forthwith, instantly: Matthew 21:19-20, Luke 1:64 4:39 5:25 8:44, 47 8:55 13:13 18:43 19:11 22:60, Acts 3:7 5:10 12:23 13:11 16:26, 33 (on the usage in Mt, Lk, see Dalman, Words, 28 f.).†

(AS)

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

In depth

From the study of Luke 13:13

Range of meaning

Immediately, at once, on the spot. It comes from para to chrēma, 'at the matter itself'.

Against the English

'Immediately' (most versions) and 'instantly' (NLT) are accurate. YLT's 'presently' was accurate in 1862, but today it sounds like 'soon' or 'currently'.

How it drifted

Only in YLT, where 'presently' has since shifted in meaning.

Used elsewhere in the period

Of its 18 New Testament uses, 16 are in Luke–Acts (10 in Luke, 6 in Acts). The other two are Matt 21:19–20. Luke typically uses it at the moment a healing takes effect (Luke 4:39; 5:25; 8:44, 47, 55; 18:43; Acts 3:7).

From the study of Luke 8:55

Range of meaning

Literally "alongside the matter": on the spot, at once, instantly. In everyday Greek documents it is used for payment "on the spot" and for anything done without delay.

Against the English

"At once" (BSB), "immediately" (WEB), "straightway" (KJV), "presently" (YLT). YLT's "presently" can mislead today. In 1862 it meant "at once", not "after a while".

How it drifted

English "presently" has moved from "right now" to "soon". Only YLT is affected.

Used elsewhere in the period

Of its roughly 18 New Testament uses, about 16 are in Luke and Acts. Many of them mark the instant result of a healing (Luke 4:39; 5:25; 8:44, 47; 13:13; 18:43; Acts 3:7). An older theory held that this was a doctor's word that betrayed Luke's medical training. H. J. Cadbury showed that it is ordinary educated Greek.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 21:19 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

    Here: "On the spot, at once." This is Matthew's own emphasis. In Mark the withering is noticed only the next morning. The disciples repeat the word in their amazed question (v.20).

  2. Matthew 21:20 παραχρῆμα so quickly

    When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

Luke · 10

  1. Luke 1:64 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.

  2. Luke 4:39 παραχρῆμα immediately

    and He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and began to serve them.

  3. Luke 5:25 παραχρῆμα immediately

    And immediately the man stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.

  4. Luke 8:44 παραχρῆμα immediately

    She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

  5. Luke 8:47 παραχρῆμα. immediately.

    Then the woman, seeing that she could not escape notice, came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she explained why she had touched Him and how she had immediately been healed.

  6. Luke 8:55 παραχρῆμα, immediately,

    Her spirit returned, and at once she got up. And He directed that she be given something to eat.

    Here: "Then and there." There is no slow recovery. This is one of Luke's favourite words for the instant result of a healing.

  7. Luke 13:13 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.

    Here: 'On the spot.' Luke uses this word a lot to mark that a healing was instant and complete, not gradual. After eighteen years of being bent over, she straightens at that moment.

  8. Luke 18:43 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

    Here: The cure happens at once, with no gradual recovery. This is one of Luke's favourite words for healings that take effect the moment Jesus speaks.

  9. Luke 19:11 παραχρῆμα immediately

    While the people were listening to this, Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently.

  10. Luke 22:60 παραχρῆμα immediately

    “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

Acts · 6

  1. Acts 3:7 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.

  2. Acts 5:10 παραχρῆμα immediately

    At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

  3. Acts 12:23 παραχρῆμα Immediately

    Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

    Here: This is one of Luke's favourite words. Almost every other New Testament use is his, and he often uses it of miracles that take effect on the spot. Here it ties the blow directly to the crowd's shout in v.22: God's answer came while the acclamation was still in the air. It dates the striking, not necessarily the death.

  4. Acts 13:11 παραχρῆμά Immediately

    Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

    Here: One of Luke's favourite words, nearly always used for something God does that takes effect at once (Luke 5:25; Acts 3:7; 5:10; 12:23). There is no delay between the word and the result.

  5. Acts 16:26 παραχρῆμα immediately

    Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.

    Here: A word Luke uses often, mostly in healing stories (Luke 4:39; 8:44; Acts 3:7). The doors open at the same moment, with no delay.

  6. Acts 16:33 παραχρῆμα. immediately.

    At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.

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