### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ἔλευσις (G1660, *éleusis*) is derived from the verb ἔρχομαι (`{{G2064}}`, *erchomai*), meaning "to come," "to go," or "to arrive." While the root verb conveys a general sense of movement towards a destination, ἔλευσις specifically denotes the *act* or *event* of coming or arriving, an "advent." Its semantic range is tightly focused on the concept of an arrival, often implying significance or a culmination, rather than merely the process of moving. It emphasizes the destination being reached and the presence established.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἔλευσις appears only once in the New Testament, found in [[Acts 7:52]]. This singular occurrence is within Stephen's powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts Israel's history of rebellion against God and rejection of His messengers.
[[Acts 7:52]]: "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the *coming* (ἔλευσις) of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered."
In this critical passage, ἔλευσις refers specifically to the *advent* or *arrival* of Jesus Christ, identified as "the Righteous One." Stephen uses this term to underscore the prophetic anticipation of the Messiah's coming, a coming that was foretold by the very prophets whom the Jewish ancestors persecuted. The irony and tragedy are palpable: those who should have recognized and welcomed the long-awaited ἔλευσις of the Messiah instead "betrayed and murdered" Him. The word here signifies not just a general appearance, but the specific, divinely orchestrated, and historically pivotal arrival of God's Anointed.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἔρχομαι (`{{G2064}}`, *erchomai*)**: As the root verb, ἔρχομαι is the general term for "to come." ἔλευσις distills this into the noun form, emphasizing the *event* of coming.
* **παρουσία (`{{G3952}}`, *parousia*)**: This is another significant Greek term often translated as "coming" or "presence." While both ἔλευσις and παρουσία denote an arrival, παρουσία frequently carries a connotation of an official or significant presence, particularly in theological contexts referring to the Second Coming of Christ. In [[Acts 7:52]], ἔλευσις clearly refers to the *first* advent of Christ, distinguishing it from the typical use of παρουσία for His future return.
* **Prophetic Announcement**: The phrase "announced beforehand" (προκαταγγέλλω) highlights the Old Testament prophetic tradition that consistently pointed towards the ἔλευσις of the Messiah. This concept is foundational to understanding God's unfolding redemptive plan.
* **"The Righteous One" (ὁ δίκαιος)**: This Messianic title, used by Stephen, emphasizes Jesus' perfect righteousness and His role as the just Savior, contrasting sharply with the unrighteous actions of those who rejected His ἔλευσις.
### Theological Significance
The singular yet potent use of ἔλευσις in [[Acts 7:52]] carries profound theological weight. It encapsulates the core Christian belief in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the person of Jesus Christ. Stephen's sermon positions Christ's ἔλευσις not as a random event, but as the culmination of God's covenant promises and the climax of redemptive history.
This word underscores:
1. **Divine Intentionality**: The ἔλευσις of the Righteous One was not accidental but divinely purposed and foretold, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and salvation.
2. **Continuity of Revelation**: Stephen draws a direct line from the Old Testament prophets to Jesus, asserting that the prophets' message ultimately pointed to Christ's coming.
3. **Human Rebellion**: The tragic indictment that the very people who received the prophecies also "killed those who announced beforehand" and then "betrayed and murdered" the Righteous One Himself, highlights humanity's persistent rebellion against God's saving initiatives.
4. **Messianic Identity**: The ἔλευσις is specifically of "the Righteous One," affirming Jesus' unique identity as the promised Messiah and the embodiment of divine justice.
Thus, ἔλευσις in [[Acts 7:52]] serves as a powerful theological anchor, connecting the historical reality of Christ's incarnation to the sweep of biblical prophecy and the tragic narrative of human rejection.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔλευσις (G1660) precisely denotes an "advent" or "coming," emphasizing the event of arrival. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Acts 7:52]] is highly significant, referring to the first coming of Jesus Christ, "the Righteous One." Stephen's use of ἔλευσις underscores the prophetic anticipation and divine intentionality behind Christ's incarnation, presenting it as the fulfillment of long-standing promises. This pivotal advent was tragically rejected by the very people who had received the prophecies, a rejection that reveals a profound pattern of resistance to God's redemptive plan. While distinct from παρουσία (`{{G3952}}`), which often refers to the Second Coming, ἔλευσις powerfully conveys the momentous arrival of the Messiah, central to Christian theology and the unfolding of salvation history.
TRV