ἀπέναντι (apenanti)
apenanti
opposite
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb apenanti describes physical positioning: being directly opposite or face-to-face with someone or something. In the Gospels, it grounds the narrative in concrete space. Matthew 27:61 places Mary Magdalene and the other Mary "opposite" the tomb, while Mark 12:41 situates the poor widow "before" (or opposite) the temple treasury as she gives her offering.
Its root combines a prefix indicating separation or distance with a word for "face." This creates a sense of standing across from an object or person. The term appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in Matthew and Acts. It can also mean "in the presence of," as seen when Peter heals a lame man "before" all the people (Acts 3:16).
Translators often render it as "opposite," "before," or "against." In Acts 17:7, it takes on a hostile sense, describing those who oppose Caesar. The word emphasizes direct confrontation or visibility, whether in a peaceful setting like the temple court or in conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apenanti places us in a specific location. It describes standing directly across from something or someone. In Matthew 27:61, the women sit opposite the tomb. This simple spatial detail grounds the story in reality. You can see where they are and what they face.
This physical positioning often carries weight. In Acts 3:16, Peter heals a man in the presence of the people. The healing is visible and undeniable. It happens right there, before witnesses. God’s work is not hidden in shadows. It stands out in the open.
When we read these accounts, we see that proximity matters. Being opposite something means you cannot ignore it. Whether it is a tomb or a crowd, the text invites us to pay attention. We are called to notice what is directly in front of us and respond with faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- opposite2×
- before2×
- contrary to1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀπέναντι5×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:61
Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
This verse uses the word to fix the women’s location right across from the empty tomb, emphasizing their direct witness to the resurrection event.
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Acts 3:16
By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Here it translates 'in the presence of,' highlighting that the healing power of Jesus’ name was displayed visibly before the entire community.
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Romans 3:18
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Paul uses this spatial term metaphorically to describe how fear of God is absent from the wicked person’s direct line of sight.