ἀπαντάω

I meet, encounter

Definition

The verb ἀπαντάω means to meet or encounter someone, often implying a deliberate or purposeful coming together. In the New Testament, it can describe a friendly meeting, as when the women meet the risen Jesus in Matthew 28:9, or a hostile encounter, such as the demon-possessed man who meets Jesus in Mark 5:2. It also carries the sense of going out to meet someone, as seen in the parable where a king goes to meet another king in battle (Luke 14:31) and when the father goes to meet his returning son in the parable of the prodigal son (though the specific word isn't used there, the concept is similar). In John 4:51, it describes the servant meeting his master to bring news.

Biblical Usage

ἀπαντάω is used 7 times in the New Testament across Gospels and Acts. It appears in narratives involving significant personal encounters. In the Gospels, it often marks pivotal meetings with Jesus, whether for healing (Mark 5:2, Luke 17:12), revelation (Matthew 28:9), or instruction (Mark 14:13). In Acts 16:16, it describes a repeated encounter with Paul and Silas. The usage spans both positive, welcoming meetings and confrontational or surprising encounters.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, 'from') and the verb ἀντάω (antaō, 'to meet face-to-face' or 'to oppose'). The prefix ἀπό can intensify the sense of a meeting or indicate the direction 'from' which one comes to meet. Thus, the compound emphasizes the act of coming to meet someone, often from a distance or with purpose. It is related to the simpler verb ἀντάω and the noun ἀπάντησις (apantēsis), which often denotes a formal welcoming party.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it frequently describes encounters with divine authority or revelation. Most notably, in Matthew 28:9, it is used for the women's meeting with the resurrected Christ, marking the first post-resurrection appearance and a moment of worship and commissioning. Such encounters often serve as turning points in narratives, highlighting moments of recognition, faith, challenge, or commissioning. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by emphasizing the intentionality and transformative potential of meetings with Jesus or his messengers.

In the Greco-Roman world, 'meeting' someone could have formal connotations, such as the official welcoming of a dignitary (an apantēsis) by a delegation going out from a city. While the New Testament uses do not always depict such ceremony, the underlying sense of a purposeful, often significant, convergence remains. This differs from a casual, modern understanding of 'meeting' and adds weight to the biblical narratives.

ὑπαντάω (hypantaō, G5221) — Also means 'to meet,' often used interchangeably with ἀπαντάω, but can sometimes imply meeting by chance or going to meet. συναντάω (synantaō, G4876) — Means 'to meet with,' often emphasizing meeting together or encountering, sometimes with a sense of coincidence.

Word Details

Scripture References