μεταπέμπω (metapempō)
metapempō
to summon
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb metapempō describes the act of sending for someone, effectively summoning them to come. Formed from the prefix meta ("after" or "with") and pempō ("to send"), it literally means to send after a person to bring them back. In the New Testament, this word appears eight times, with the majority of occurrences found in the book of Acts.
It is used in specific historical contexts where authority figures request the presence of others. For instance, Cornelius sends men to Joppa to summon Peter (Acts 10:5), and King Agrippa calls for Paul to be brought before him (Acts 25:3). The word emphasizes the deliberate act of dispatching a messenger to fetch someone, rather than a casual invitation.
While it can appear in the passive voice to mean "being summoned," its primary force is active. It captures a moment of interruption or transition, where a person’s current path is redirected by an external command. Translators typically render it as "send for" or "summon," highlighting the authority and intent behind the request.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word metapempō describes the deliberate act of sending for someone. It is not a casual invitation but a command that redirects a person’s path. In Acts, we see this when Cornelius sends for Peter, or when Paul is summoned before Felix. These moments show how God often uses human authority and unexpected interruptions to bring people together for His purpose.
For your faith, this reminds us that our lives are rarely on a fixed track. We may be planning one thing, yet God can send a messenger to summon us elsewhere. This word encourages trust in divine timing. Even when we are pulled away from our current plans, we can believe that the One who sends has a reason. It is an invitation to respond with openness, knowing that being summoned is often the start of something meaningful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to send for1×
- sending for1×
- he sent for1×
- he may summon1×
- having summoned [him]1×
- having been summoned.1×
- do yourself summon1×
- do yourself send for1×
- did you summon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μετάπεμψαι2×
- μετεπέμψατο1×
- μετεπέμψασθέ1×
- μεταπέμψηται1×
- μεταπέμψασθαί1×
- μεταπεμψάμενος1×
- μεταπεμφθείς.1×
- μεταπεμπόμενος1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 10:5
Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter.
This verse highlights the initial step of obedience where Cornelius follows angelic direction to send for Peter, showing how divine guidance initiates human action.
-
Acts 25:3
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way.
Here the word reveals a sinister motive, as enemies attempt to use their authority to summon Paul with the intent of harming him during transit.
-
Acts 24:26
Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.
Felix sends for Paul repeatedly, not out of genuine spiritual hunger but because he hopes for a bribe, illustrating how summons can be driven by selfish gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word metapempō mean?
How is metapempō different from other words for calling?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 1 books)
Acts 8 verses
Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter.
Acts 10:22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the…
Acts 10:29Therefore I also came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”
Acts 11:13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa and get Simon, who is…
Acts 20:1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
Acts 24:24After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the…
Acts 24:26Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent…
Acts 25:3asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way.