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G368 · Greek · New Testament
ἀναντίρρητος
anantirrhētos
Adjective
anantirrhētos; undeniable; not to be contradicted; irrefutable

Definition

The Greek adjective anantirrhētos (G368) means "that which cannot be spoken against" — undeniable, irrefutable, or uncontradictable. It appears once in the New Testament in Acts 19:36, where the town clerk of Ephesus declares that "these facts are undeniable" in calming the riot.

The word combines an- (not) + anti (against) + rhētos (spoken), yielding "not able to be spoken against."

Usage & Theological Significance

The use of anantirrhētos in Acts 19:36 is theologically instructive. The town clerk — a pagan Roman official — uses it to describe the publicly known facts about Ephesus and its goddess Artemis. He is not making a theological argument but an administrative one: "These things being undeniable, you ought to calm down."

The irony is that the truly anantirrhētos reality in Ephesus was the power of the gospel — the seven sons of Sceva had learned that (Acts 19:14-16), and the silversmiths' trade had collapsed under the weight of genuine conversions (Acts 19:24-27). Facts that cannot be contradicted tend to provoke riots rather than calm them when they threaten established idolatries.

Key Bible Verses

Acts 19:36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash.
Acts 19:26 "This fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia."
Acts 19:20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
John 8:46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?
Acts 4:14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

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