ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. When ταῦτα and ἐκεῖνος refer to two things ἐκεῖνος, which normally means "the nearer" as well belongs to the more remote, "the latter" in time, place, or thought, οὗτος to "the nearer".-  (CW)The "these" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," "here," or "there" the nearer or the further depending on usage. When the modified noun already has an article, it meaning is "here."  This word doesn't mean "this" in this situation. CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "this" in this situation. --  It is often used in the neuter plural without a noun to refer to "these things." things -- This "things"  is from the plural, neuter form of the previous adjective.