Original Word: ἄρτι
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: arti
Pronunciation: AR-tee
Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-tee)
KJV: this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present
NASB: now, just, once, present, right now, this time
Word Origin: [adverb from a derivative of G142 (αἴρω - take) through the idea of suspension]

1. just now

this day, henceforth, hereafter, even now.

Adverb from a derivative of airo (compare artos) through the idea of suspension; just now -- this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present.

see GREEK airo

see GREEK artos

737 árti (an adverb) – now (this instant); here-and-now; exactly now, in the immediate present.

737 /árti ("now") refers to the present as the time to act – i.e. to live "in the now" (= "being alive unto God" now, cf. Ro 6:11).

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
just now
NASB Translation
hereafter* (1), just (1), now (30), once (1), present (1), right now (1), this time (1).

STRONGS NT 737: ἄρτι

ἄρτι, adverb, according to its derivation (from ἈΡΩ to draw close together, to join, Latinarto; (cf. Curtius, § 488)) denoting time closely connected;

1. in Attic "just now, this moment (German gerade,eben), marking something begun or finished even now, just before the time in which we are speaking" (Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 20): Matthew 9:18; 1 Thessalonians 3:6, and perhaps Revelation 12:10.

2. according to later Greek usage universally, now, at this time; opposed to past time: John 9:19, 25; John 13:33; 1 Corinthians 16:7; Galatians 1:9f, opposed to future time: John 13:37; John 16:12, 31; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; opposed to future time subsequent to the return of Christ: 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 1:6, 8. of present time most closely limited, at this very time, this moment: Matthew 3:15; Matthew 26:53; John 13:7; Galatians 4:20. ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας, 1 Corinthians 4:11; ἕως ἄρτι, hitherto; until now, up to this time: Matthew 11:12; John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6; 1 John 2:9. ἀπ' ἄρτι, see ἀπαρτί above. Cf. Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 18ff; (Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 70f). [SYNONYMS: ἄρτι, ἤδη, νῦν: Roughly speaking, it may be said that ἄρτι just now, even now, properly marks time closely connected with the present; later, strictly present time (see above, and compare in English just now i. e. a moment ago, and just now (emphatic) i. e. at this precise time). νῦν now, marks a definite point (or period) of time, the (object) immediate present. ἤδη now (already) with a suggested reference to some other time or to some expectation, the subjective present (i. e. so regarded by the writer). ἤδη and ἄρτι are associated in 2 Thessalonians 2:7; νῦν, and ἤδη in 1 John 4:3. See Küfhner §§ 498, 499; Bäumlein, Partikeln, p. 138ff; Ellicott on 1 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 4:6.]

Definition in Context

The adverb ἄρτι (Strong’s 737) functions as a temporal marker meaning “now,” “just now,” or “at this very moment.” It locates an action or reality in the present time, sometimes with a nuance of immediacy (“right now”) and sometimes in contrast with a future or past state.

Temporal Emphasis: Present Moment and Immediacy

Many occurrences underscore an event that has just taken place or is occurring in the present instant. In Matthew 9:18 the synagogue ruler approaches Jesus saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.” The juxtaposition of death “just now” with immediate hope in Christ highlights ἄρτι’s role in portraying critical, time-sensitive faith.

John often pairs ἄρτι with verbs of seeing or knowing, stressing the disciples’ developing perception: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (John 13:7). Here ἄρτι marks the boundary between present mystery and future clarity.

Christ’s Ministry: The ‘Now’ of the Kingdom

Jesu s employs ἄρτι to announce the inaugurated kingdom and the urgency of obedience. In Matthew 3:15 He tells John the Baptist, “Allow it at present; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” The “at present” frames His baptism as a divinely appointed moment not to be delayed. Again in Matthew 26:64 He declares to the Sanhedrin, “But I say to you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power,” linking ἄρτι with the onset of His exaltation.

Johannine Theology: Present Revelation and Progressive Understanding

John’s Gospel layers ἄρτι across scenes of revelation. The miracle at Cana prompts the steward’s remark, “Everyone serves the good wine first… but you have kept the good wine until now” (John 2:10), symbolizing the superior grace presently unveiled in Christ. Later, in John 16:24 Jesus invites, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete,” pivoting the disciples into a new prayer relationship that begins immediately.

Pauline Contrast: ‘Now’ Versus ‘Then’

Paul wields ἄρτι to contrast the partial nature of the present age with the fullness to come. The classic statement is 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.” Similar contrasts appear in 1 Corinthians 15:6 (“most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep”) and 1 Corinthians 16:7, where travel plans are contingent, yet present fellowship remains real.

At times Paul uses ἄρτι to expose misplaced confidence: “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you” (1 Corinthians 4:18, implicit). In Galatians 1:10 he defends the gospel’s purity: “Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God?” The adverb punctuates the decisive break with former legalism.

Pastoral and Ethical Implications

Peter exhorts believers undergoing trials: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). The temporal limitation of suffering—“now for a little while”—encourages perseverance. Likewise, “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him” (1 Peter 1:8). ἄρτι frames the unseen Savior as presently trusted, sustaining hope.

John addresses community ethics: “The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in darkness now” (1 John 2:9). Present conduct reveals authentic or false discipleship.

Eschatological ‘Now’: Revelation and the Triumph of Christ

Revelation heightens ἄρτι’s dramatic force. Upon Satan’s expulsion from heaven the cry rings out, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ” (Revelation 12:10). Final victory bursts into the immediate present. In Revelation 14:13, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on,” the adverb seals an eschatological beatitude that begins at the point of martyrdom and continues forever.

Occurrences Overview

Thirty-six New Testament verses employ ἄρτι. Matthew records seven, John sixteen, Paul’s letters ten, Peter two, John’s first epistle one, and Revelation two. The distribution shows a concentration in narrative dialogue (Matthew and John) and theological argument (Paul), with strategic eschatological use in Revelation.

Practical Applications for Ministry

1. Urgency of Obedience: Like Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:15), certain acts of faithfulness belong to the “now” and should not be postponed.
2. Assurance in Trial: Present sufferings are “for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6); ministers can comfort believers with the temporality of hardship.
3. Progressive Revelation: Understanding grows beyond the “now” (John 13:7); teachers may encourage patience as truth unfolds.
4. Evangelistic Appeal: Paul’s rhetorical “Am I now seeking the approval of men?” (Galatians 1:10) challenges contemporary compromise.
5. Hope of Immediate Victory: Revelation’s “now” proclaims Christ’s prevailing authority, fueling worship and perseverance.

Summary

ἄρτι focuses attention on the decisive present—moments when God’s kingdom breaks in, faith must act, and grace is experienced. Whether highlighting immediate obedience, clarifying the partial nature of present understanding, or announcing eschatological victory already in motion, the term summons readers to live responsibly and expectantly in the “now” of God’s redemptive plan.

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