ὑπάντησις (hupantēsis)
hupantēsis
meeting
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hupantēsis describes a formal act of going out to meet someone, typically with the purpose of escorting them back. It is not a casual encounter but a deliberate movement toward another person, often implying honor or official duty. In the New Testament, this word appears only three times, each instance marking a significant moment of arrival and reception.
In Matthew 8:34, the people of the Gadarene region go out to meet Jesus after He casts demons into pigs, but their response is fear rather than welcome. Conversely, Matthew 25:1 uses the term positively in the parable of the ten virgins, who go out to meet the bridegroom as part of the wedding celebration. John 12:13 records the crowd leaving Jerusalem to meet Jesus as He approaches on a donkey, an act of royal homage.
The word combines hupo (under or near) and antēsis (a standing against or facing), suggesting a movement that meets another face-to-face. Translators often render it simply as "meet," but the Greek carries a sense of protocol. It reflects the ancient custom where citizens would leave their city gates to welcome an important visitor, signaling respect and readiness to accompany them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word hupantēsis describes a deliberate movement to welcome someone important, often with the intent to escort them back. In ancient culture, leaving your city gates to meet a visitor was an act of honor and readiness. It signals that you are not waiting passively but actively engaging with what God is bringing into your life.
In John 12:13, the crowd takes palm branches to go out and meet Jesus as He approaches Jerusalem. This act of royal homage reminds us that meeting Christ is a joyful response to His presence. It invites us to consider how we position ourselves when He draws near, ready to welcome Him with open hands and hearts.
While Matthew 8:34 shows a fearful rejection of this same encounter, Matthew 25:1 presents the virgins who go out to meet their bridegroom. This contrast highlights the choice before us: to turn away in fear or to step forward in faithful expectation. May we always be ready to welcome His coming with reverence and joy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- meet3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπάντησιν3×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 25:1
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
This verse uses the term positively to describe the virgins' active readiness to welcome the bridegroom, highlighting faithful preparation.
-
John 12:13
they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
Here the crowd goes out to meet Jesus with palm branches, performing an act of royal homage as He enters Jerusalem.
-
Matthew 8:34
Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
The city comes out to meet Jesus but responds with fear and asks Him to leave, showing a rejection of His presence.