ἀνταποκρίνομαι (antapokrinomai)
antapokrinomai
to contradict
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb antapokrinomai describes answering back with contradiction or hostility. It is not a neutral response but a sharp rebuttal, often implying resistance to authority or a challenge to a questioner’s premise. The word combines elements meaning "against" and "answer," creating a sense of replying in opposition.
Scripture uses this term sparingly, appearing only twice. In Luke 14:6, it captures the silence of religious leaders who could not contradict Jesus’ logic regarding healing on the Sabbath. In Romans 9:20, Paul employs it to illustrate the absurdity of a created thing arguing against its Creator, emphasizing that such a response is inherently illegitimate.
This word highlights the futility of opposing divine wisdom with human reasoning. It serves as a literary device to show moments where human argumentation fails before the clarity of God’s truth or the authority of Christ.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face sharp questions or difficult truths, our instinct is often to defend ourselves or argue back. The Greek word antapokrinomai describes exactly that kind of heated rebuttal—a reply made in opposition rather than understanding. It carries a weight of resistance, suggesting that the speaker is not just answering, but challenging the authority or logic of the other person.
Scripture uses this term to show where human argumentation falls short. In Luke 14:6, the religious leaders fell silent because they could not contradict Jesus’ clear logic about mercy on the Sabbath. Their pride left them speechless. Similarly, Romans 9:20 reminds us that a created thing does not have the standing to argue with its Creator. This word invites us to examine our own hearts when we feel the urge to push back against God’s wisdom or the truths He has spoken.
Instead of meeting divine instruction with resistance, we are invited to listen. When we find ourselves wanting to argue against what God says, it may be a sign that we need to pause and trust His greater perspective. Peace comes not from winning the debate, but from resting in the One who holds all authority.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to reply1×
- is answering against1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνταποκρινόμενος1×
- ἀνταποκριθῆναι1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:6
They couldn’t answer him regarding these things.
This occurrence highlights how Jesus' logical question about healing on the Sabbath left His opponents unable to offer a contradictory defense, exposing their hypocrisy through silence.
-
Romans 9:20
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”
Paul uses this term to illustrate the fundamental illegitimacy of human reasoning challenging God's sovereign will, comparing it to clay questioning the potter.