The Greek verb antepō means to speak against, to contradict, or to make a verbal reply in opposition. Appearing only twice in the New Testament (Luke 21:15; Acts 4:14), it is used in contexts where opponents find themselves unable to counter the wisdom and testimony of Christ's disciples.
Antepō carries enormous theological significance in both its NT occurrences. In Luke 21:15, Jesus promises His disciples facing persecution: 'I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.' This is an extraordinary promise — not that Christians will be rhetorically clever, but that the Holy Spirit's testimony through them will be irresistible. Acts 4:14 records the fulfillment: when Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, 'since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say (antepo).' The healed man's presence made verbal contradiction impossible. The combination of miraculous evidence and Spirit-filled testimony silenced the opposition. These two verses together form a promise and its fulfillment — Jesus guaranteed what the Spirit would accomplish. The word reminds believers that faithfully following the Lord's lead in testimony places them under divine protection against ultimate contradiction.