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G481 · Greek · New Testament
ἄντικρυς
Antikrus
Adverb
Directly opposite / Over against

Definition

The Greek adverb antikrus (ἄντικρυς) means directly opposite, straight ahead, over against — a nautical and geographical term of precision. It appears once in Acts 20:15 in Luke's eyewitness travel narrative of Paul's final voyage to Jerusalem.

Usage & Theological Significance

Acts 20:15 records Paul's journey with precise geographical detail: "we arrived opposite (antikrus) Chios." This is one of Luke's "we" passages — he was present. The precision reflects eyewitness navigation memory. More importantly, Paul's final journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20–21) is framed by prophetic urgency: the Spirit warned in every city that chains and afflictions awaited. Yet Paul declared: "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race." The small word antikrus grounds one of Scripture's most moving portraits of apostolic courage sailing straight toward the cross.

Key Bible Verses

Acts 20:15The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after we crossed to Samos, and the following day arrived at Miletus.
Acts 20:22-23Compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. Only that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
Acts 20:24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
Acts 21:1After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos.
2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Related Words

External Resources

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