ἀντεῖπον

I speak or say in opposition, I contradict

Definition

The verb ἀντεῖπον means to speak against, oppose, or contradict someone or something verbally. It carries the sense of a direct, verbal objection or resistance. In Luke 21:15, Jesus promises his disciples that their opponents will not be able to 'contradict' their wisdom, indicating a failure to argue successfully against their testimony. In Acts 4:14, the religious leaders see the healed man and have 'nothing to say in opposition,' meaning they could not verbally deny the obvious miracle. Both uses highlight a public, spoken confrontation where one party is unable to mount a counter-argument.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only twice in the New Testament, both in Luke-Acts, which points to a specific narrative style. In both instances, it describes a situation where opponents of God's work are rendered speechless and unable to offer a verbal rebuttal. In Luke 21:15, it is part of a prophetic promise about divine enablement in persecution. In Acts 4:14, it describes the concrete result of an undeniable miracle, silencing the authorities. The pattern shows God empowering his witnesses and confounding opposition.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀντί (anti), meaning 'against' or 'opposite,' and the verb εἶπον (eipon), meaning 'I said' or 'I spoke.' It is a compound verb literally meaning 'to speak against.' This construction clearly conveys the core idea of verbal opposition or contradiction.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the theme of divinely empowered testimony in the face of opposition. It shows that the gospel message, backed by God's power, is ultimately unanswerable by its critics. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of passages like Luke 21:15 and Acts 4:14 by emphasizing that the silence of opponents is not just a lack of words, but a specific failure to contradict the truth, demonstrating God's sovereign support for his witnesses.

In the Greco-Roman world, public debate and rhetorical skill were highly valued. To be unable to 'speak against' an argument or evidence was a significant loss of face and authority, especially for educated leaders. The use of this word in Acts 4:14 would resonate as a profound humiliation for the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, who prided themselves on their knowledge and interpretive authority.

ἀντιλέγω (antilegō, G483) — also means to speak against or contradict, but can imply a more ongoing or contentious dispute. ἀνθίστημι (anthistēmi, G436) — means to resist or oppose, often with a stronger sense of standing against, not exclusively verbal.

Word Details

Scripture References