Greek word · G5035

ταχύ

tachy

quickly

An adverb, 'quickly, swiftly', and by extension 'soon, without delay' (BDAG s.v. ταχύς).

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 30, 2026

What it means

ταχύ

(neut. of ταχύς),

adv., [in LXX chiefly for מָהַר pi. ;]

quickly, speedily, forthwith: Matthew 5:25 28:7-8, Mark 9:39, Luke 15:22, John 11:29, Revelation 2:16 3:11 11:14 22:7, 12 22:2 o. Compar., τάχειον (T, Rec. τάχιον), = cl. θᾶσσον, θᾶττον (Att..), (see Bl., § 44, 3): John 13:27 20:4, 1 Timothy 3:14 (T, Rec.), Hebrews 13:19, 23 Superl., τάχιστα: ὡς τ., as quickly as possible (BL, § 11, 3), Acts 17:15.†

(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 Revelation 2:16

Range of meaning: An adverb, 'quickly, swiftly', and by extension 'soon, without delay' (BDAG s.v. ταχύς).
Against the English: KJV, WEB and NASB have 'quickly'. BSB 'shortly' and NIV/ESV 'soon' stress timing. NLT 'suddenly' stresses surprise, a sense that leans more toward 3:3 ('like a thief').
Used elsewhere in the period: Revelation's repeated 'I am coming quickly' (ἔρχομαι ταχύ, 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20) points to the final coming. In 2:16, the conditional 'if not' turns the same wording into a threatened visit that depends on the church's response, like the warning to Ephesus that its lampstand would be removed (2:5).

From the study of Revelation 22:7

Range of meaning: An adverb from ταχύς, "swift." It can mean (1) "quickly, at speed" or (2) "soon, in a short time, without delay." BDAG gives both, and in many contexts the two overlap: something that comes "without delay" comes both soon and fast.
Against the English: KJV, NASB and YLT say "quickly". BSB, WEB, NIV, ESV and NLT say "soon". "Quickly" can suggest the manner of arrival (sudden, fast once it starts). "Soon" stresses that the time is short.
How it drifted: Some readers have used "quickly" to mean "suddenly, whenever it finally happens," which removes the sense of nearness. That fits the KJV wording more easily than John's context.
Used elsewhere in the period: Revelation uses ταχύ for Christ's coming at 2:16, 3:11, 22:7, 22:12 and 22:20, alongside ἐν τάχει ("soon") at 1:1 and 22:6 and "the time is near" at 1:3 and 22:10. John 1:1 reworks Daniel 2:28 LXX ("what must take place in the last days") into "what must soon take place." The phrase is sharpened from Daniel's "in the last days" to "soon."

From the study of Revelation 3:11

Range of meaning: An adverb from ταχύς, "swift." In Koine Greek it means (1) quickly, at speed, without delay, and (2) soon, in a short time. BDAG lists both senses and puts Revelation's "I am coming" sayings under "soon."
Against the English: KJV, WEB and NASB (1995) have "quickly"; BSB, NIV and ESV have "soon." Today "quickly" mostly means speed ("he ran quickly"), while "soon" means it is near in time. In 1611 English, "quickly" could still mean "soon, before long."
How it drifted: As 17th-century English changed, "quickly" moved toward meaning speed. Some modern readings then take the KJV wording to mean "sudden when it comes" rather than "near." That is a real but minority sense of the Greek.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the LXX (the Greek Old Testament), ταχύ often means "soon/at once" (e.g. Gen 27:20; Exod 32:8, "they turned aside quickly"). In Revelation it sits beside ἐν τάχει, "shortly" (1:1; 22:6), and "the time is near" (1:3; 22:10), so the book stresses closeness in time. The closing prayer "Come, Lord Jesus" (22:20) answers "I am coming soon" and echoes the Aramaic maranatha (1 Cor 16:22).

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

Matthew 28:7 ταχὺ quickly

Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”

Here: The message cannot wait. Verse 8 shows the women obeyed to the letter: they left “quickly” (the same word) and ran.
Matthew 28:8 ταχὺ quickly

So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.

Here: The angel's own word from verse 7 ('go quickly'), repeated. Matthew is pointing out that they obeyed at once and to the letter.

Mark · 1

Mark 9:39 ταχὺ readily

“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me.

Here: 'Quickly' or 'soon afterward'. It limits the claim: such a person will not soon turn around and denounce Jesus. It is a realistic observation, not a guarantee for all time.

John · 1

John 11:29 ταχὺ quickly

And when Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him.

Here: 'Quickly, at once'. Her speed is what the visiting mourners notice in verse 31 ('she got up quickly and went out'), and it is why they follow her.

Revelation · 5

Revelation 2:16 ταχὺ quickly

Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.

Here: Can mean 'swiftly' (no delay once it starts) or 'soon' (it will happen shortly). Here both fit: they have no time to put it off.
Revelation 3:11 ταχύ· quickly;

I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Here: An adverb that can mean "soon" (it won't be long) or "swiftly, without delay." In Revelation it repeats as a refrain (2:16; 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). Next to "the time is near" (1:3; 22:10), it mainly says the coming is close, not that it will be fast once it starts.
Revelation 11:14 ταχύ.¶ quickly.

The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly.

Here: It means without delay. In the story it comes true at once, because the seventh trumpet sounds in the very next verse. It is the same adverb Christ uses of his own coming in 2:16, 3:11 and 22:7, 12, 20.
Revelation 22:7 ταχύ. quickly.

“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”

Here: Can mean "soon" (how close it is in time) or "quickly" (how fast). In Revelation it picks up "what must soon take place" in 22:6 and 1:1, so "soon" is the main point: the coming is close and should not be pushed into an unimportant far-off future.
Revelation 22:20 ταχύ· quickly;

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Here: In Revelation's closing it means "soon", within a short time. This matches "the time is near" (22:10) and "what must soon take place" (1:1; 22:6).

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