Lexical Summary Antipas: Antipas Original Word: Ἀντίπας Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Antipas. Contracted for a compound of anti and a derivative of pater; Antipas, a Christian -- Antipas. see GREEK anti see GREEK pater NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably a contr. of a comp. of anti and patér Definition Antipas, a Christian of Pergamum NASB Translation Antipas (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 493: ἈντιπᾶςἈντιπᾶς (Tdf. Ἀντειπας, see under the word εἰ, ἰ), Ἀντιπα (cf. Winers Grammar, § 8, 1; (Buttmann, 20 (18))), ὁ, Antipas (contracted from Ἀντίπατρος Winer's Grammar, 103 (97)), a Christian of Pergamum who suffered martyrdom, otherwise unknown: Revelation 2:13. On the absurd interpretations of this name, cf. Düsterd. (Alford, Lee, others) at the passage From Görres in the Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Theol. for 1878, p. 257ff, endeavors to discredit the opinion that he was martyred, but by insufficient arguments. Topical Lexicon Canonical Placement and Immediate Context The name Ἀντίπας (Antipas) appears once in the Greek New Testament, at Revelation 2:13. The risen Lord Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum with the words, “I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells” (Revelation 2:13). The reference stands inside the seven messages to the churches (Revelation 2–3), which together frame the entire Apocalypse as a pastoral call to persevering fidelity under pressure. Identity and Historical Setting Pergamum, the recipient city, was the political and religious center of Roman Asia. It housed a grand altar to Zeus, numerous pagan temples, and was an early seat of the emperor-cult. Believers lived under constant expectation to participate in sacrifices publicly confessing “Caesar is Lord.” In this environment Antipas proved unwilling to compromise. Early Christian tradition (attested by Polycrates of Ephesus and later hagiographers) names him the first bishop of Pergamum and dates his death to the reign of Domitian or, less likely, Nero. Sources describe his execution in a bronze bull-shaped furnace—an instrument long associated with martyrdom for refusing imperial worship. Circumstances of Martyrdom Revelation calls Antipas “My faithful witness,” a title otherwise reserved for Jesus Himself (Revelation 1:5) and later for the church collectively (Revelation 17:6). The adjective “faithful” underscores reliability unto death, echoing Christ’s own confession before Pontius Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13). Antipas’ martyrdom probably arose from refusing to burn incense to the emperor, a civil act equated with loyalty to Rome. His death therefore embodies the central clash in Revelation: allegiance to the Lamb versus allegiance to the beastly powers of the age. Theological Significance 1. Vindication of Witness. Antipas’ account demonstrates that the slain—but faithful—share in Jesus’ victory. Revelation 12:11 draws the broader principle: “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Patterns of Witness in Revelation The Apocalypse repeatedly couples “witness” (martys) with faithfulness and death (Revelation 6:9; 11:3–7; 17:6). Antipas stands as the first named exemplar of this theme, foreshadowing the “souls of those who had been slain for the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 6:9). His testimony affirms that martyrdom is not an interruption of Christ’s reign but a means through which the Lamb conquers (Revelation 5:5–10). Lessons for Contemporary Discipleship • Courage under Hostile Culture: Like Pergamum, modern believers often live in centers of ideological opposition. Antipas models steadfastness without retreat. Reception in Early Church Tradition Eastern churches commemorate Saint Antipas on April 11. Liturgical texts portray him as an exorcist, attributing his death to the anger of local idolaters when their demons were banished. While these accounts are not canonical, they reflect early respect for his example and underscore the link between gospel proclamation and spiritual warfare. Intertextual Connections • “Faithful Witness” applied to Jesus (Revelation 1:5) and Antipas (Revelation 2:13) highlights conformity to Christ’s pattern (Philippians 3:10). Practical Ministry Applications Pastors may invoke Antipas when teaching about: 1. Cross-centered leadership—elders who shepherd unto death if necessary (1 Peter 5:2–4). Conclusion Although mentioned only once, Antipas stands tall in the biblical narrative as a flesh-and-blood testimony to the triumph of unwavering allegiance to Christ. His faithful witness continues to encourage the church to overcome the world, anchoring hope in the victorious Lamb who promises, “To the one who overcomes I will give the hidden manna” (Revelation 2:17). Selected Resources for Further Study Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 4. Polycarp, Letter to the Philippians. Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation. G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation, New International Greek Testament Commentary. Forms and Transliterations Αντιπας Ἀντιπᾶς Ἀντίπας Antipas AntípasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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