The Greek name Antipas means 'against all' or 'for all' — a compressed Greek name from Antipatros. Appearing only twice in the NT (Matthew 14:3 as Herod Antipas; Revelation 2:13 as the martyr Antipas), the name encompasses both a murderous king and a faithful witness.
The name Antipas appears in two dramatically contrasting figures. Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee who imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist at the request of his wife Herodias and her dancing daughter (Matthew 14:3–12; Luke 3:19). He also mocked Jesus during His trial (Luke 23:7–11). His story is a warning about how political power, illicit desire, and wounded pride can silence prophetic witness. In total contrast, Revelation 2:13 honors a believer named Antipas as 'my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city — where Satan lives.' In the church at Pergamum, where the imperial cult flourished, Antipas stood firm and was martyred. He is called a 'faithful witness' (martus pistos) — the same title given to Jesus Himself in Revelation 1:5. The same name — against all — attaches to a persecutor of the faithful and to a martyr who followed Christ to death.