ὑπαντάω (hupantaō)
hupantaō
to go meet
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb hupantaō describes the act of going out to meet someone or something. It carries a sense of active movement toward an encounter rather than passive waiting. In the Gospels, this word appears frequently when characters move to greet Jesus or respond to news about Him, such as Martha and Mary going out to meet Him in John 11:20 and 11:30.
Its usage often implies a purposeful journey to intercept or welcome. Matthew 8:28 and Luke 8:27 record men from the region coming out to meet Jesus, while Mark 5:2 notes the people of Gerasa running to meet Him. The word also appears in contexts of confrontation, such as Luke 14:31, where a king considers going out to meet an enemy in battle.
This term highlights the physical and relational dynamics of meeting. It is not just about being in the same place but moving toward another person with intent. The sources show it used for both welcoming figures and opposing forces, emphasizing the decisive nature of the encounter itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word hupantaō captures more than just a casual greeting; it describes the active decision to move toward someone with purpose. In the New Testament, this verb often appears when people leave their current position to intercept Jesus or respond to His presence. Whether it is Martha leaving her home to meet Him in grief or crowds rushing out because of a miracle, the word highlights intentionality. Faith is rarely passive waiting; it frequently involves stepping forward into the encounter.
Consider how this applies to your own spiritual walk. When challenges arise or when you sense God’s leading, are you staying comfortable in place, or are you moving toward Him? The accounts of those who met Jesus show that approaching Him requires effort and courage. It is a physical and relational act of trust, acknowledging that the One being met is worth leaving everything else behind.
This active pursuit reflects the heart of discipleship. We do not wait for God to find us in our isolation; we go out to meet Him in prayer, in Scripture, and in community. As you face your day, remember that every step taken toward Christ is a meaningful act of faith. May you find strength in knowing that He is always ready to welcome those who seek Him with sincere hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- met6×
- met with2×
- to meet1×
- meeting by1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπήντησεν6×
- ὑπήντησαν2×
- ὑπαντῆσαι2×
Key Verses
-
John 11:20
Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house.
Martha’s decision to leave the house and go meet Jesus demonstrates active faith in the face of grief, showing that approaching Christ is a deliberate response to His presence.
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Luke 8:27
When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs.
The demon-possessed man coming out of the tombs to meet Jesus illustrates how even those broken by spiritual forces are drawn to seek Him, highlighting the irresistible pull of His authority.
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Matthew 28:9
As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Jesus actively meets the women on their way to tell the disciples, reversing the expected dynamic and showing that He initiates encounters with joy and reassurance after His resurrection.
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John 12:18
For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign.
The crowd going out to meet Jesus because they saw the sign of Lazarus’ raising shows how miraculous works draw people into active pursuit of the One who performed them.