But there are some of you that believe not. For
Jesus knew from the beginning (εξ αρχης ) who they were that believed not, and who
should betray him. (John 6:64)
From the very beginning (JB
“from the outset”; NEB “all along”)
has reference either to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry or to the time of his
calling the disciples; it does not refer to the beginning mentioned in 1:1. The
same phrase is used in 16:4 and is translated at the beginning. From the very beginning may be rendered “from the
day that he began to teach” or “all the time starting with the day he began to
teach.” (Barclay Moon
Newman and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on the Gospel of John [UBS
Handbook Series; New York: United Bible Societies, 1993], 214)
from the start. Literally “from the beginning.” This is not the
beginning mentioned in 1:1 where the pre-existence of the Word is involved, but
the beginning of the ministry or of the disciples’ call (see 16:4). Once again,
as in 6:6, this is an editorial attempt to prevent any misconception which
might imply that Jesus had made a mistake. Celsus used the example of the
choice of Judas to argue that Jesus did not have divine knowledge (Origen Celsus ii 11; GCS 2:138). (Raymond
E. Brown, The Gospel according to John (I-XII): Introduction, Translation,
and Notes [AYB 29; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008], 297)
The only other instance of εξ αρχης in the New Testament:
But these things have I told you, that when the
time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I
said not unto you at the beginning (εξ αρχης), because I was with you. (John
16:5)
Instances of εξ αρχης (from the beginning) in the Greek Pseudepigrapha:
The archangel said, “Lord Almighty,
he says thus, and I refrain from laying hands on him, because from the
beginning (εξ αρχης) he is your friend, and has
done all things pleasing in your sight. (Testament of Abraham (A) 15:14)
“But I beseech you, Lord, command
the remembrance of the death of Abraham to enter into his own hart, and bid not
me tell I him, for it is great abruptness to say, ‘Leave the world,’ and especially
to leave one’s own body, for you created him from the beginning (εξ αρχης) to have pity on the souls of all
men.” (Testament of Abraham (B) 4:11-13)
“And in them the Lord will be known
in the end, because they will illumine those pursued by the serpent in darkness
as from the beginning (εξ αρχης).”
(Lives of the Prophets 12:14)
Instances of εξ αρχης in the LXX (translation used: Lexham
English Septuagint [2d ed.]):
And now, Lord God, the King, the
God of Abraham, spare your people, because they look upon us for destruction,
and they desired to destroy your inheritance from the beginning (εξ αρχης). (Εsther C:8)
The ambassadors of the Judeans
came to us as our friends and allies, renewing the ancient (εξ αρχης) friendship and alliance, sending from Simon, the high priest,
and the people of the Judeans. (1 Maccabees 15:17)
Who has best so unlawfully with injurious
treatments those who from the beginning (εξ αρχης) differed from all the nations with
goodwill toward us in every way, and who have often accepted the worst of human
dangers? (3 Maccabees 6:26)
He made humanity from the beginning
(εξ αρχης) and left him in the hand of his counsel.
(Sirach 15:14)
Therefore, I was determined from
the beginning (εξ αρχης) and planned it and left it in
writing. (Sirach 39:32)
And the rulers of Tanis will be
foolish; as for the wise counselors of the king, their counsel will be foolish.
How will you say to the king, “We are sons of intelligent people, sons of the
king from the beginning (εξ αρχης).” (Isa 19:11)
Will you not know? Will you not
hear? Has it not been announced to you from the beginning (εξ αρχης)? (Isa 40:21)
For who will announce the things
from the beginning (εξ αρχης), that we might know them, and the
former things, that we might say that it is true? There is no one who foretells
or who listens to your words? (Isa 41:26)
All the nations have been
gathered together, and rulers will be gathered from among them. Who will
announce these things? Or who will announce the things to you from the
beginning (εξ αρχης)? Let them bring their witnesses and let them
be vindicated and let them hear and speak truthfully. (Isa 43:9)
Instances
of εξ αρχης in the Apostolic Fathers
(Translation used: Holmes Translation of the Apostolic Fathers):
Seeing, then, that we have a share in many great
and glorious deeds, let us hasten on to the goal of peace, which has been
handed down to us from the beginning (εξ αρχης); let us fix our eyes upon the
Father and Maker of the whole world and hold fast to his magnificent and excellent
gifts and benefits of peace. (1 Clement 19:2)
Therefore let us leave behind the worthless
speculation of the crowd and their false teachings and let us return to the
word delivered to us from the beginning (εξ αρχης); let us be self-controlled with
respect to prayer and persevere in fasting, earnestly asking the all-seeing God
to lead us not into temptation, because, as the Lord said, “the spirit is
indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Polycarp to the Philippians 7:2)
“But it will be built in the name of the Lord.”
So pay attention, in order that the Lord’s temple may be built gloriously. How?
Learn By receiving the forgiveness of sins and setting our hope on the Name, we
became new, created again from the beginning (εξ αρχης). Consequently, God truly dwells in our dwelling place—that is, in us.
(Epistle of Barnabas 16:8)
Come, then, clear your mind of all its
prejudices and cast aside the custom that deceives you, and become a new
person, as it were, from the beginning (εξ αρχης), as if you were about to hear a
new message, even as you yourself admit. See not only with your eyes but also
with your intellect what substance or what form those happen to have whom you call
and regard as gods. (Epistle to Diognetus 2:1)
Now as long as he kept it a secret and guarded
his wise design he seemed to neglect and to be unconcerned about us, but when
he revealed it through his beloved child and made known the things prepared
from the beginning (εξ αρχης), he gave us everything at once,
both to share in his benefits and to see and understand things that none of us
ever would have expected. (Epistle to Diognetus 2:1 8:10-11)
