ἀντικαλέω (antikaleō)
antikaleō
to invite in return
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb antikaleō describes the act of inviting someone in return, capturing a sense of reciprocity or counter-invitation. Derived from the prefix anti, meaning "against" or "in place of," and kaleō, meaning "to call," it literally suggests calling back or responding to a prior summons with an invitation of one's own.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, found in Luke 14:12. In this context, Jesus advises his listeners not to invite only friends or rich neighbors who might return the favor, but rather those who cannot repay them. The use of antikaleō here highlights the social dynamic of mutual obligation; by inviting those who cannot "invite in turn," one breaks the cycle of transactional hospitality.
The rarity of this term underscores its specific function in describing reciprocal social actions. While kaleō is used broadly for calling or summoning, adding the anti- prefix focuses attention on the response to a previous call. Translators typically render it as "invite" or "call back," relying on the surrounding context to convey the element of return.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word antikaleō describes a reciprocal invitation, one that expects something in return. In Luke 14:12, Jesus contrasts this with inviting those who cannot repay you. This shift moves hospitality from a social transaction to an act of pure grace.
When we invite others without expecting a favor back, we reflect God's generous nature. It frees us from the pressure to maintain social balances and allows us to love people simply for who they are. This kind of kindness breaks cycles of obligation and opens doors for genuine connection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may invite in return1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντικαλέσωσίν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:12
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back.
This verse uses the word to describe the expected return favor from friends or rich neighbors, which Jesus advises against.