Strong’s Greek 4260 portrays movement that has progressed. In the Gospels it is applied to two different kinds of advance: (1) Jesus physically moving farther along the shoreline before calling more disciples (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19) and (2) persons whose years have progressed to old age (Luke 1:7; Luke 1:18; Luke 2:36). The single verb thus gathers the ideas of “going farther” and “having advanced,” showing how Scripture can employ one term to describe both spatial and temporal progress.

Occurrences

Matthew 4:21 – “Going on from there, He saw two other brothers…”

Mark 1:19 – “Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John…”

Luke 1:7 – “…they were both well along in years.”

Luke 1:18 – “…my wife is well along in years.”

Luke 2:36 – “…a prophetess… who was well along in years.”

Physical Progression in the Ministry of Jesus

In Matthew and Mark the verb highlights Jesus’ purposeful advance as He summons His first disciples. Each step illustrates the intentional, forward-moving nature of His public ministry. He does not linger but proceeds until the circle of apostles is complete, modeling decisive obedience to the Father’s timetable. The call narratives therefore picture more than geography; they foreshadow the ever-advancing spread of the gospel from Galilee to the ends of the earth.

Faithfulness in Advanced Age

Luke applies the term to elderly saints who become pivotal in redemptive history:

• Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:7, 18) embody righteous perseverance. Though “well along in years,” they are chosen to bear John the Baptist, proving that divine purpose is not hindered by human limitations.
• Anna (Luke 2:36) represents lifelong devotion. Her advanced age and constant presence in the temple underscore that decades of worship prepare a believer to recognize the Messiah.

In each case, advancing years coincide with spiritual receptivity, illustrating Psalm 92:14, “In old age they will still bear fruit.”

Theological Themes

1. Divine Initiative across Life Stages

Whether Christ strides forward on the shore or God visits the aged priest and prophetess in the temple, the narrative insistently portrays the Lord initiating contact. Human age or location never restricts His reach.

2. Continuity of Covenant Faithfulness

The term gathers echoes of Abraham and Sarah, who were also “advanced in years” when Isaac arrived. Luke intentionally ties the birth of John to earlier covenant patterns, affirming Scripture’s unity.

3. Generational Discipleship

Jesus’ forward motion brings young fishermen into service, while Luke records aged believers heralding the dawn of redemption. The gospel summons both the energetic and the elderly, making the church a multi-generational community.

Practical Ministry Significance

• Encouragement to Older Believers: Advancing years increase, not diminish, potential for significant kingdom service. Prayer, proclamation, and prophetic witness flourish in seasoned lives.
• Model for Leadership: As Jesus “goes farther,” leaders are urged to keep moving ahead spiritually and missionally, never satisfied with yesterday’s victories.
• Inter-Generational Partnership: The juxtaposition of fishermen in their prime with saints in their twilight years commends intentional collaboration between age groups for gospel advance.

Eschatological Perspective

Every occurrence of the verb bears forward movement—either toward completing a journey or toward the culmination of a life. Both trajectories remind believers that history is advancing toward the consummation of Christ’s kingdom. Old age points to life’s brevity; Christ’s onward steps anticipate the cross and resurrection. Thus the term invites watchfulness and hope as time progresses toward God’s ordained finale.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 4260 intertwines the ideas of distance covered and years accumulated, illustrating that in God’s economy forward motion is not confined to the young. Whether by sea-side strides that gather apostles or by temple corridors where elderly saints await redemption, the verb testifies that the Lord of history continues to move His people—and His plan—steadily forward.