Lexical Summary hupantaó: To meet, to encounter Original Word: ὑπαντάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meetFrom hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite (meet) under (quietly), i.e. To encounter, fall in with -- (go to) meet. see GREEK hupo see GREEK anti NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hupo and antaó (to meet face to face, meet with) Definition to go to meet, to meet NASB Translation encounter (1), met (7), went and met (1), went to meet (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5221: ὑπαντάωὑπαντάω, ὑπάντω: 1 aorist ὑπήντησα; to go to meet, to meet: τίνι, Matthew 8:28; Luke 8:27; John 11:20, 30; John 12:18; also L T Tr WH in Mark 5:2; John 4:51; and T Tr WH in Matthew 28:9; Acts 16:16; (and T in Luke 17:12 (so WH marginal reading but without the dative)); in a military reference, of a hostile meeting: Luke 14:31 L T Tr WH. (Pindar, Sophocles, Euripides, Xenophon, Josephus, Plutarch, Herodian, others.) Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical UsageStrong’s 5221 appears ten times, always describing an intentional encounter—either moving toward someone or being met by another. Seven uses concern Jesus Christ personally, underscoring the importance of meeting Him either in need, worship, or opposition. Two describe human-to-human meetings, and one is a parabolic illustration of military strategy. Narrative Occurrences Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:2; Luke 8:27 – Demon-possessed men come out to meet Jesus as He steps onto the shore. The dramatic confrontation highlights Christ’s authority over spiritual darkness. Matthew 28:9 – After the resurrection, “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.” The first post-resurrection appearance is cast as an intentional meeting rather than a chance sighting. John 4:51 – Servants meet the royal official to announce his son’s healing, confirming Jesus’ power from a distance. John 11:20, 30 – Martha first, then Mary, go out to meet Jesus after Lazarus’ death. The double narrative stresses personal relationship preceding the miraculous sign. John 12:18 – The crowd “went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.” Public acclaim builds toward the triumphal entry. Luke 14:31 – In a parable Jesus speaks of a king who goes out to meet another king while still far off, illustrating sober self-assessment before conflict. Acts 16:16 – “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination.” The verb frames a spiritual confrontation initiating ministry in Philippi. Key Theological Themes 1. Divine Initiative and Human Response Although the verb often depicts humans meeting Jesus, the larger contexts reveal that Christ orchestrates these encounters. Whether demons are compelled (Matthew 8:28), disciples are comforted (Matthew 28:9), or seekers are rewarded (John 11:20), each meeting points to sovereign grace drawing people into revelation. 2. Revelation Through Encounter Every occurrence advances understanding of Jesus’ identity: Deliverer from evil, Lord of life, Resurrection and Life, promised King. Meeting Him becomes the threshold of transformation. 3. Conflict Versus Welcome The same verb describes hostile confrontations (demonic legion, slave girl), desperate supplicants (Martha and Mary), and jubilant worshipers (post-resurrection women, Jerusalem crowd). Scripture thereby presents meeting Christ as the pivotal choice between submission and resistance. 4. Worship and Witness In Matthew 28:9 meeting leads directly to worship; in John 12:18 it fuels public testimony. The pattern supplies a template for Christian life—encounter, worship, proclamation. Historical and Cultural Background In the Greco-Roman world, going out to meet dignitaries expressed honor, loyalty, or challenge. The New Testament adopts this social custom to depict the redemptive meetings of Jesus, showing Him worthy of reception far exceeding earthly rulers. Luke 14:31’s military image matches known Hellenistic diplomacy: opposing kings negotiated terms by riding out to meet each other before armies clashed. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Evangelism: Ministry often begins when believers “go to meet” those still captive (Acts 16:16), trusting Christ’s authority over spiritual bondage. Eschatological Resonance Though 5221 itself is not used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, the imagery of “meeting the Lord in the air” echoes the same cultural practice. Present encounters with Christ foreshadow the ultimate gathering when He returns, giving every use of the verb anticipatory significance. Old Testament Parallels The Septuagint employs the cognate verb when Abigail “went to meet David” (1 Samuel 25:18) and when Jacob “went out to meet Esau” (Genesis 33:1). These scenes of intercession and reconciliation form a narrative backdrop for New Testament meetings that likewise mediate grace and restore relationships. Conclusion Strong’s 5221 traces a thread of intentional encounter running from demon-haunted shores to an empty tomb and onward into apostolic mission. It calls readers to take the initiative—moving toward Christ and toward others in His name—confident that every meeting He ordains becomes a venue for revelation, deliverance, and worship. Forms and Transliterations τῷ υπαντησαι ὑπαντῆσαι υπηντησαν υπήντησαν ὑπήντησαν υπηντησεν υπήντησεν ὑπήντησεν hypantesai hypantêsai hypantēsai hypantē̂sai hypentesan hypēntēsan hypḗntesan hypḗntēsan hypentesen hypēntēsen hypḗntesen hypḗntēsen to tō upantesai upantēsai upentesan upēntēsan upentesen upēntēsenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 8:28 V-AIA-3PGRK: τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ δύο NAS: men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming KJV: of the Gergesenes, there met him INT: of the Gadarenes met him two Matthew 28:9 V-AIA-3S Mark 5:2 V-AIA-3S Luke 8:27 V-AIA-3S Luke 14:31 V-ANA John 4:51 V-AIA-3P John 11:20 V-AIA-3S John 11:30 V-AIA-3S John 12:18 V-AIA-3S Acts 16:16 V-ANA Strong's Greek 5221 |
    |