One of the most common Greek prepositions, appearing over 470 times in the NT. With the genitive case it means 'with' or 'among'; with the accusative it means 'after.' It forms the prefix of many compound words (metanoia, metamorphosis, etc.) where it denotes change or transition.
This preposition appears in some of Scripture's most profound statements. 'God is with us' (Emmanuel, Matthew 1:23). 'I am with you always' (Matthew 28:20). 'After three days I will rise again' (Matthew 27:63). The simple word meta carries the entire weight of the incarnation and the resurrection promise. Christ's final words in Matthew's gospel are: 'I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' The gospel is fundamentally about God being with His people.