ἀπάντησις (apantēsis)
apantēsis
meeting
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apantēsis denotes a formal meeting, specifically one where people go out to welcome an important person or official. In the ancient world this was a civic custom: citizens would leave their city gates to meet a visiting dignitary and escort him back into town with honor. The sources note that it carries a technical sense of reception, implying respect and readiness rather than a casual encounter.
Scripture uses this term in two distinct contexts that highlight its ceremonial weight. In Matthew 25:1, the ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom, illustrating a prepared anticipation for his arrival. Similarly, in Acts 28:15, believers from Rome travel to meet Paul as he arrives in the city, showing how this act served as a sign of solidarity and honor toward a traveler.
Although it appears only three times, the word’s imagery is vivid. It suggests moving forward to intercept someone significant, transforming a simple meeting into an act of recognition and welcome. Translators often render it simply as "meet," but the underlying concept involves the deliberate journey out to greet and accompany the one who has come.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word apantēsis describes a formal act of going out to welcome an important visitor. In the ancient world, this was not a casual encounter but a deliberate journey to greet a dignitary and escort them back with honor. It implies readiness, respect, and active anticipation rather than passive waiting.
This imagery offers a comforting picture for your faith life. When we read about believers going out to meet the Lord or traveling to encourage fellow Christians, it shows that our response to God’s presence should be eager and prepared. Like the virgins in Matthew 25, we are called to be ready when He arrives, ensuring our hearts are open to receive Him.
Even in difficult times, this concept reminds us of the hope we hold. Whether meeting a friend in need or looking forward to Christ’s return, apantēsis teaches us that faith involves moving toward what matters most. It is an invitation to live with purposeful expectation, knowing that every act of welcome strengthens our connection to God and His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- meet2×
- [the] meeting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπάντησιν3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:6
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
This verse uses the word to describe the urgent, prepared response of the virgins going out to greet the bridegroom, highlighting the necessity of spiritual readiness.
-
I Thessalonians 4:17
then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
Here it describes the future gathering of believers with the Lord in the air, framing the second coming as a grand, welcoming reception rather than a distant event.
-
Acts 28:15
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
This occurrence shows the word applied to Christians traveling to meet Paul, demonstrating how apantēsis functions as an act of solidarity and encouragement within the church.