ἀπαιτέω (apaiteō)
apaiteō
to demand
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb apaiteō means to claim something as one’s rightful due or to demand its return. It carries a legal or authoritative tone, implying that the speaker has a legitimate basis for the request. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both in the Gospel of Luke, highlighting specific moments where rights are asserted.
In Luke 6:30, Jesus uses it to describe a radical ethic of generosity: if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. This usage contrasts sharply with normal social expectations of protecting one’s property. Similarly, in Luke 12:20, God addresses the rich fool by asking, "Who will demand your life from you?" Here, the word underscores the ultimate authority over human existence, reminding listeners that life is held on loan and can be reclaimed by its Creator.
The term combines the prefix ap- (indicating separation or reversal) with aiteō (to ask). This structure reinforces the idea of asking back or claiming what was given. Translators often render it as "demand" to capture its assertive nature, though the underlying concept is about rightful ownership rather than mere aggression.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apaiteō carries a sharp legal edge. It describes claiming what is rightfully yours, often with authority. In our daily lives, we instinctively want to protect our property and status. We feel entitled to get back what was taken or lost. Yet Jesus challenges this natural instinct in Luke 6:30. He tells us not to demand the return of goods that are taken away. This is a radical call to generosity that defies normal social contracts.
This concept also appears in Luke 12:20, where God asks who will demand your life back. The answer is no one but God Himself. Your life is not yours to keep forever; it is held on loan from the Creator. Recognizing this shifts our perspective on ownership. We are stewards, not absolute owners. This truth frees us from the anxiety of holding too tightly to what we cannot control.
When you face loss or injustice, remember that your worth does not depend on your possessions. God holds your life in His hands. You can rest in the knowledge that He is the ultimate authority over everything you have. Let this truth soften your heart toward others and deepen your trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- is required1×
- do ask [it] back.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπαίτει.1×
- ἀπαιτοῦσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
Jesus uses this word to command radical generosity, forbidding believers from demanding the return of stolen goods.
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Luke 12:20
“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’
God uses this term to assert His sole authority to reclaim human life, highlighting the temporary nature of earthly existence.