Lexical Summary apantaó: To meet, to encounter Original Word: ἀπαντάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meet. From apo and a derivative of anti; to meet away, i.e. Encounter -- meet. see GREEK apo see GREEK anti NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and antaó (to come opposite to, meet face to face) Definition to meet NASB Translation meet (1), met (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 528: ἀπαντάωἀπαντάω, ἀπάντω: future ἀπαντήσω (Mark 14:13; but in better Greek ἀπαντήσομαι, cf. Winers Grammar, 83 (79); (Buttmann, 53 (46))); 1 aorist ἀπήντησα; to go to meet; in past tenses, to meet: τίνι, Matthew 28:9 (T Tr WH ὑπαντάω); Mark 5:2 R G; Topical Lexicon Scope and Essence of the WordStrong’s Greek 528 conveys the idea of coming face-to-face with someone—an intentional encounter rather than a casual passing. Although it appears only twice in the New Testament, each setting magnifies the sovereignty of Jesus Christ in arranging redemptive meetings and in receiving those who seek Him. Occurrences in the Gospels 1. Mark 14:13 “So He sent two of His disciples and told them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.’” The verb portrays a pre-arranged contact. Jesus knows in advance who will cross the disciples’ path, reinforcing His foreknowledge even in seemingly mundane details. The meeting serves the larger purpose of preparing the Passover, thereby linking the verb to the unfolding of salvation history. 2. Luke 17:12 “As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten men with leprosy who stood at a distance.” Here the verb depicts desperate sufferers stepping forward. Their initiative is answered by Christ’s compassion and cleansing, illustrating that when humanity advances toward the Savior, He stands ready to transform. Narrative and Theological Significance Providential Direction In Mark 14:13, the encounter is orchestrated by Jesus, underscoring His mastery over events leading to the cross. Nothing is accidental; every “meeting” fits a larger redemptive timetable. Human Need Meets Divine Mercy Luke 17:12 shows the reverse dynamic—people initiate the meeting. The lepers’ approach demonstrates faith, albeit imperfect, while Christ’s response reveals the reach of grace beyond ritual boundaries. Foreshadowing Ultimate Encounter Although a different form (Strong’s 529) is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, the shared root highlights a trajectory: the present, earthy meetings with Christ anticipate the future, cosmic “meeting” when believers will “meet the Lord in the air.” The limited Gospel occurrences thus hint at a consummate gathering yet to come. Historical and Cultural Backdrop • A man carrying water (Mark 14:13) would have been unusual in first-century Jerusalem, making him readily identifiable. The detail reflects both cultural norms (water-carrying was mostly a woman’s task) and the precision of Jesus’ instructions. Ministry Applications Trusting Christ’s Preparations Believers may draw confidence from Jesus’ ability to arrange divine appointments—whether for evangelism, fellowship, or practical provision—just as He did for the Passover preparations. Stepping Toward Mercy The ten lepers prompt contemporary disciples to approach Christ boldly with uncleanness, assured that His answer is still, “Be clean” (cf. Luke 5:13). Recognizing Kingdom Moments Both passages invite alertness to spiritually significant encounters. A routine errand or an unexpected plea for help may be the very crossroads where God’s purposes unfold. Implications for Worship and Discipleship Meeting Christ in the Ordinary Daily life becomes sacred space when understood as a series of divinely scripted meetings. This perspective fuels worship marked by gratitude and anticipation. Encouraging One Another’s Encounters In discipleship, believers can pray and plan for one another to “meet” people God has prepared—mirroring the way Jesus sent two disciples into the city. Hope of the Final Gathering Every faithful meeting in this age is a rehearsal for the climactic meeting with the risen Lord. Confidence in that future event shapes perseverance and holiness in the present. Conclusion Though Strong’s Greek 528 surfaces only twice, its contribution is weighty: Jesus orders circumstances so that people will meet Him, and He welcomes those who dare to meet Him in their need. These brief appearances of the verb form a quiet but potent thread across the Gospels, weaving providence, compassion, and eschatological hope into the fabric of biblical revelation. Forms and Transliterations άπαντα απάντημα απαντήν απάντην απαντήσαι απαντήσας απαντησάτωσάν απαντησει απαντήσει ἀπαντήσει απαντήσεις απαντήσομαι απαντήσομεν απάντησον απαντήσονταί απαντήσωσιν απαντώντι απήντα απήντηκα απηντησαν απήντησαν ἀπήντησαν απήντησε απήντησέ απήντησεν apantesei apantēsei apantḗsei apentesan apēntēsan apḗntesan apḗntēsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 14:13 V-FIA-3SGRK: πόλιν καὶ ἀπαντήσει ὑμῖν ἄνθρωπος NAS: and a man will meet you carrying KJV: and there shall meet you INT: city and will meet you a man Luke 17:12 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 528 |
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