When Mark wrote his gospel, he used the Greek words "ευθεως" (directly) and "ευθυς" (direct) very frequently. In preparation for a sermon, I wanted to investigate and categorize the different ways that the word is used. In doing so, I learned that Mark wanted to characterize a Jesus who was always intentionally on the move (yet not quite in a hurry), someone who was not encumbered by pitfalls, setbacks, and delays. Jesus was a Personality that also inspired action in others, either to respond or to follow Him. Jesus's actions were powerful, efficient, and immediate. Towards the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers that if they do His will, they will also be direct.
Fast transitions
- Mar 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
- Mar 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
- Mar 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
- Mar 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
- Mar 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
- Mar 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
Fast responses
- Mar 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
- Mar 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
- Mar 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
- Mar 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
- Mar 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
- Mar 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
- Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
- Mar 9:15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
- Mar 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
- Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Fast Miracles
- Mar 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
- Mar 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
- Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
- Mar 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
- Mar 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
- Mar 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
- Mar 7:35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
- Mar 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Fast charges
- Mar 1:43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
- Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
- Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
- Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
- Mar 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
Fast opposition
- Mar 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
- Mar 6:27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
- Mar 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
- Mar 14:45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
- Mar 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Fast parables
- Mar 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
- Mar 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
- Mar 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
- Mar 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
- Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
We can be fast too!
- Mar 11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
- Mar 11:3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
How did Jesus do all of this? The gospel begins with a voice crying in the wilderness, saying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight (ευθυς)" (Mark 1:3, Isaiah 40:3). Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer, consecrating His work to God, leaning not on His own understanding, and acknowledging His Father. And Proverbs 3:5-6 says that if you do this, God will direct your paths/make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6) (The word for straight (ישׁר) is the same word in Isaiah 40:3 and Proverbs 3:6)
- Pro 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be prepared/established.
- Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD prepareth/directeth his steps.
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. Steps to Christ, p. 70
