ἀνταποκρίνομαι (G470) — Greek Lexicon

ἀνταποκρίνομαι

antapokrínomai

G470 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make a response in return, especially to reply to a statement, challenge, or accusation; to answer back. Core meaning is to respond to someone who has already spoken, often with a sense of answering in opposition or contradiction, but the term can also simply refer to responding in a second turn in dialogue. In some contexts, may imply replying assertively or defensively, especially when questioned or challenged.

Semantic Range

to answer back, to respond in turn, to reply against, to object, to contradict, to respond defensively; to give a second or reciprocal answer

Root / Etymology

From ἀντί (in return, against) and ἀποκρίνομαι (to answer, to reply). The prefix ἀντί intensifies the sense of reciprocity or opposition in the response.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἀνταποκρίνομαι appears rarely, primarily in the New Testament (e.g., Luke 14:6; Romans 9:20), and not in classical Greek authors. In the Septuagint and later Koine sources, it is used to describe a responsive speech act, often with a nuance of contradiction, objection, or answering a challenge. The prefix ἀντί ('in return') marks a distinction from the more common ἀποκρίνομαι ('to answer'), emphasizing the reciprocal or oppositional aspect. Standard English translations often render it as 'answer back,' 'reply against,' or 'object,' but the term can be more neutral depending on context — not always implying rebellion or disrespect. The usage reflects Greco-Roman dialogic conventions, where such a response was common in debates or formal challenges.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀντί and ἀποκρίνομαι; to contradict or dispute:--answer again, reply against.

Root Family

ἀνταποκρίνομαι (antapokrinomai) — to answer, to respond, to reply in return, to answer back

Root ἀποκρίν- to answer, to respond, to reply

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G470-01`	ἀνταποκρινόμενος	antapokrinomenos	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG`	answering-back	answering back	answering back	1
`G470-02`	ἀνταποκριθῆναι	antapokrithenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	answer	to answer back	to answer back	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G470-02`	Luke 14:6	ἀνταποκριθῆναι	antapokrithenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	answer	to answer back	to answer back
`G470-01`	Romans 9:20	ἀνταποκρινόμενος	antapokrinomenos	`V PRS MID PTCP NOM M SG`	answering-back	answering back	answering back

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