Original Word: ὀψίος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: opsios
Pronunciation: op-see-os
Phonetic Spelling: (op'-see-os)
KJV: even(-ing, (-tide))
NASB: evening
Word Origin: [from G3796 (ὀψέ - evening)]

1. late
2. (feminine, as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)

evening

From opse; late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve) -- even(-ing, (-tide)).

see GREEK opse

Word Origin
from opse
Definition
evening
NASB Translation
evening (14).

STRONGS NT 3798: ὄψιος

ὄψιος, ὀψία, ὀψιον (ὀψέ), late;

1. as an adjective ((Pindar) Thucydides, Demosthenes, Aristotle, Theophrastus, others; (Lob. ad Phryn., p. 51f)): ἡ ὥρα, Mark 11:11 (but T Tr marginal reading WH text ὀψέ, which see) (ὀψία ἐν νυκτί, Pindar Isthm. 4, 59).

2. contrary to the usage of secular authors ἡ ὀψία as a substantive (namely, ὥρα (cf. Winers Grammar, 591f (550); Buttmann, 82 (71))), evening: i. e. either from our three to six o'clock p. m., Matthew 8:16; Matthew 14:15; Matthew 27:57; Mark 4:35; or from our six o'clock p. m. to the beginning of night, Matthew 14:23; Matthew 16:2 there T brackets WH reject the passage); ; Mark 1:32; Mark 6:47; Mark 14:17; Mark 15:42; John 6:16; John 20:19,(hence, הָעַרְבַּיִם בֵּין, between the two evenings, Exodus 12:6; Exodus 16:12; Exodus 29:39 (cf. Gesenius, Thesaurus, p. 1064f (and addit. et emend., p. 103); B. D. under the word )). Besides only in Judith 13:1.

Semantic Scope and Biblical Background

The term denotes the latter part of the day, extending from late afternoon to the onset of night. In Jewish reckoning the day began at sunset, so “evening” could belong both to the close of one day and the threshold of the next. This dual sense explains its special role in marking transitions—both temporal and theological.

Canonical Distribution (Fifteen Occurrences)

Matthew 8:16; 14:15, 23; 16:2; 20:8; 26:20; 27:57

Mark 1:32; 4:35; 6:47; 11:11; 14:17; 15:42

John 6:16; 20:19

Evening in Daily Life and Worship

1. The evening sacrifice (Exodus 29:39) and the lighting of the temple lamps set a covenant pattern carried into Second-Temple times; “evening” naturally became a moment of gathering and reflection.
2. Because much labor halted at sundown, crowds could travel freely, which explains the surge of people seeking Jesus after the Sabbath limits ended (Mark 1:32).

Patterns in the Ministry of Jesus

• Healing and Deliverance: “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick” (Matthew 8:16). The timing underscores compassion; physical and spiritual bondage did not wait until morning.
• Feeding of the Five Thousand: The disciples’ plea—“This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late” (Matthew 14:15)—sets the stage for a miracle that prefigures the Messianic banquet. Evening hunger is met by superabundant provision.
• Crossing of the Sea: “When that evening came, He said to His disciples, ‘Let us cross to the other side’” (Mark 4:35). The word frames the narrative of the storm, highlighting trust in the darkness and revealing Jesus’ lordship over chaos.

Instruction, Prayer, and Communion

The Lord often chose the evening for private prayer (Matthew 14:23) or intimate teaching (Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17). Table fellowship at night anticipates the New Covenant meal and models deliberate withdrawal from crowds for communion with the Father and with disciples.

Evening in the Passion Chronology

Mark 15:42 uses the term to anchor the burial of Jesus: “Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath)…”. The word safeguards the prophetic timetable—Jesus must be laid in the tomb before the Sabbath commences. Joseph of Arimathea’s act fulfills Isaiah 53:9 while honoring Deuteronomy 21:23’s requirement that a body not remain exposed overnight.

Resurrection Appearance

John 20:19 marks the first Lord’s-Day gathering: “That evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked… Jesus came and stood among them”. The same temporal marker that closed Passion Friday now opens Resurrection Sunday, turning fear into peace and launching apostolic mission.

Parabolic and Eschatological Nuance

In Matthew 20:8 the vineyard owner settles accounts “when evening came,” illustrating divine justice that surprises both early and late laborers. Evening represents the closing of earthly opportunity and the imminence of final reward (cf. Matthew 16:2-3).

Theological Reflection

Evening embodies transition—from toil to rest, from light to darkness—yet in Scripture it repeatedly becomes the hour of revelation, mercy, and covenant action. The motif anticipates the ultimate dawning of the new creation, assuring believers that God works powerfully when human resources fade.

Practical Application for Believers

• Schedule space for worship and reflection at day’s end, following Jesus’ pattern of evening prayer.
• Recognize that ministry opportunities intensify when others are weary; compassion does not keep office hours.
• Let the evening remind you that the present age is waning and the eternal day is approaching (Romans 13:12).

οψια οψία ὀψία Οψιας οψίας Ὀψίας opsia opsía Opsias OpsíasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts