b. of Time: πρό τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν, Acts 5:36; Acts 21:38; (πρό τοῦ πάσχα, John 11:55); according to a later Greek idiom, πρό ἕξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα, properly, before six days reckoning from the Passover, which is equivalent to ἕξ ἡμέρας πρό τοῦ πάσχα, on the sixth day before the Passover, John 12:1 (πρό δύο ἐτῶν τοῦ σεισμοῦ, Amos 1:1; πρό μιᾶς ἡμέρας τῆς Μαρδοχαϊκῆς ἡμέρας, 2 Macc. 15:36; examples from secular writings are cited by Winers Grammar, 557 (518); (cf. Buttmann, § 131, 11); from ecclesiastical writings by Hilgenfeld, Die Evangelien etc., pp. 298, 302; also his Paschastreit der alten Kirche, p. 221f; (cf. Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word πρό, 1 and 2)); (πρό τῆς ἑορτῆς, John 13:1); πρό καιροῦ, Matthew 8:29; 1 Corinthians 4:5; τῶν αἰώνων, 1 Corinthians 2:7; παντός τοῦ αἰῶνος, Jude 1:25 L T Tr WH; ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων, (fourteen years ago), 2 Corinthians 12:2; add, 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:21; Titus 1:2; τοῦ ἀρίστου, Luke 11:38; κατακλυσμοῦ, Matthew 24:38; πρό τῆς μεταθέσεως, Hebrews 11:5; πρό καταβολῆς κόσμου, John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20; πρό πάντων, prior to all created things, Colossians 1:17; (πρό τούτων πάντων (Rev. ἁπάντων), Luke 21:12); by a Hebraism, πρό προσώπου with the genitive of a thing is used of time for the simple πρό (Winers Grammar, § 65, 4b.; (Buttmann, 319 (274))), Acts 13:24 ((literally, before the face of his entering in)). πρό with the genitive of a person: John 5:7; John 10:8 (not Tdf.); Romans 16:7; οἱ πρό τίνος, those that existed before one, Matthew 5:12; with a predicate nominative added, Galatians 1:17. πρό with the genitive of an infinitive that has the article, Latinante quam (before, before that) followed by a finite verb (Buttmann, § 140, 11; Winer's Grammar, 329 (309)): Matthew 6:8; Luke 2:21; Luke 22:15; John 1:48 (49); ; Acts 23:15; Galatians 2:12; Galatians 3:23.

c. of superiority or pre-eminence (Winer's Grammar, 372 (349)): πρό πάντων, above all things, James 5:12; 1 Peter 4:8.

d. In Composition, πρό marks α. place: προαύλιον; motion forward (Latinporro), προβαίνω, προβάλλω, etc.; before another who follows, in advance, προάγω, πρόδρομος, προπέρμπω, προτρέχω, etc.; in public view, openly, πρόδηλος, πρόκειμαι. β. time: before this, previously, προαμαρτάνω; in reference to the time of an occurrence, beforehand, in advance, προβλέπω, προγινώσκω, προθέσμιος, πρωρίζω, etc. γ. superiority or preference: προαιρέομαι. (Cf. Herm. ad Vig., p. 658.)

The preposition πρό (pro, “before”) marks precedence in time, place, rank, and purpose. Its forty-seven New Testament occurrences unite diverse passages by a single thread: what God sets “before” His people—whether events, persons, or purposes—shapes faith, obedience, and hope.

Temporal Precedence in Redemptive History

Scripture repeatedly anchors God’s saving plan in decisions made “before” measurable time. Ephesians 1:4 affirms that believers were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world,” while 2 Timothy 1:9 speaks of grace “given us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Titus 1:2 adds that the promise of eternal life was set forth “before time began.” These verses reveal a sovereign initiative antedating creation itself and provide the church with confidence that redemption is neither accidental nor provisional.

Christ’s Eternal Pre-Existence

πρό underscores the Son’s divine priority. Jesus prays, “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:5). Colossians 1:17 proclaims, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Such statements ground orthodox Christology: the incarnate Savior is eternally antecedent to creation, sharing the Father’s glory and sustaining the universe.

Prophetic Preparation and the Forerunner

In Mark 1:2, the Baptist is foretold as one who “will prepare Your way before You,” echoing Malachi’s oracle. Luke 1 employs πρό twice (7:27; 9:52) to show messengers going “before” Jesus, emphasizing that divine initiatives in salvation history are heralded in advance. Matthew 11:10 confirms the same truth, reinforcing the reliability of prophetic Scripture.

Missionary and Pastoral Forethought

Jesus models strategic foresight: “He sent messengers ahead of Him” (Luke 9:52). Paul likewise anticipates needs; he urges Timothy, “Try to come to me before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21). Ministry that looks “beforehand” reflects biblical prudence and care.

Prayer and Divine Omniscience

Believers pray not to inform God but to align with Him. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). The verse invites confidence, not passivity: prayer participates in purposes God has already set.

Eschatological Warning and Comfort

πρό marks events that must occur ahead of final consummation. Luke 21:12 warns, “But before all these things, they will seize you,” preparing disciples for persecution. Conversely, Matthew 5:12 comforts sufferers: “For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” The word steadies faith amid trials by reminding believers that hardship is not unprecedented and glory follows.

Judicial and Ethical Urgency

James cautions, “Do not complain against one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9). Because judgment stands immediately “before” us, ethical vigilance is mandatory. James 5:12 further insists on truthful speech “before” all else: integrity anticipates divine scrutiny.

Election, Calling, and Apostolic Priority

Romans 16:7 notes Andronicus and Junia “were in Christ before me.” The phrase acknowledges earlier faith yet equal standing, encouraging mutual honor among believers regardless of order of conversion.

Hidden Wisdom Revealed

Paul speaks of “God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom that God ordained before the ages for our glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7). The cross, once concealed, emerges in history as the centerpiece of redemptive wisdom, fulfilling decisions established beforehand.

Worship and Idolatry in Contrast

Acts 14:13 describes a pagan priest bringing bulls “before the gates” for sacrifice, illustrating misplaced devotion. Luke 11:38 records Pharisaic concern that Jesus did not wash “before the meal.” Both passages highlight the danger of external forms placed “before” true worship.

Presence Before God’s Glory

Jude concludes in doxology: “to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever” (Jude 1:25). The eternal span “before all time” to “forever” celebrates God’s uninterrupted supremacy.

Pastoral Assurance at Death

Before Passion Week, Jesus expressed intimate desire: “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). His foreknowledge of suffering did not diminish fellowship; it heightened it, teaching believers to treasure communion in the shadow of trials.

Conclusion

πρό weaves throughout the New Testament a tapestry of divine initiative, prophetic preparation, Christ’s pre-existence, and pastoral foresight. By tracing what lies “before,” the word directs hearts to trust the God who plans, provides, and preserves from eternity past to eternity future.