ἀπόδημος

away from home

Definition

The adjective ἀπόδημος describes someone who is 'away from home' or 'sojourning in another country.' It carries the sense of being absent from one's own people and native land, often for a significant period. In its sole New Testament occurrence (Mark 13:34), it is used metaphorically within a parable to describe a master who has left his household. The word implies a state of being abroad, not just a brief trip, suggesting a purposeful journey or period of residence elsewhere.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Mark 13:34. It appears in Jesus's Olivet Discourse within the parable of the man on a journey. The context is eschatological, illustrating the master (representing Christ) who departs, leaving his servants with responsibilities until his return. The usage is metaphorical, applying the literal concept of traveling abroad to describe Jesus's impending ascension and absence before his second coming.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'away from') and the noun δῆμος (dēmos, meaning 'people' or 'district'). Literally, it means 'away from one's people or homeland.' The root δῆμος is related to the concept of a community or populace, so ἀπόδημοs strongly conveys separation from one's own community and familiar surroundings.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, ἀπόδημος is theologically significant in its context. In Mark 13:34, it enriches the parable of the absent master, a key metaphor for the period between Christ's ascension and his second coming. It underscores the temporary nature of Jesus's physical absence from his disciples and the consequent call for faithful stewardship and watchfulness by the church during this 'in-between' time. Understanding this Greek term highlights the intentionality and duration implied in the parable.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, being 'away from home' (ἀπόδημος) often involved significant risk, slow communication, and uncertainty about one's return. A journey could be for trade, governance, or military service. This cultural reality of prolonged and potentially dangerous absence makes the parable in Mark 13:34 more potent for its original audience, emphasizing the master's trust in his servants and their weighty responsibility during his uncertain absence.

πάρoικος (paroikos, G3941) — emphasizes being a resident alien or sojourner in a foreign land, often with a sense of temporary settlement. ξένος (xenos, G3581) — a stranger or foreigner, can also mean a guest; focuses more on the relationship to the host society than the state of being away from home.

Word Details

Scripture References