Greek word · G479

ἀντικαλέω

antikaleō

to invite in return

To invite in return, to return an invitation.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

to invite in turn , (Xenophon Historicus) (ML)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 14:12

Range of meaning

To invite in return, to return an invitation.

Against the English

'Invite you in return' (BSB), 'bid thee again' (KJV), 'return the favor' (WEB). All are fair. WEB's idiom captures the obligation well.

Used elsewhere in the period

It is rare, and this is its only NT occurrence. In Greek literature it is used for return invitations to meals (e.g. Xenophon, Symposium 1.15). The return invitation was an expected part of Greco-Roman dining etiquette, and failing to give one shamed the guest.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 14:12 ἀντικαλέσωσίν may invite in return

    Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid.

    Here: 'Invite back.' It is kaleō with the prefix anti- ('in return'). This is the only use of the word in the New Testament, and it names the return invitation that etiquette required.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.