[Greek] ἐξίστημι (existēmi), [Latin] existere: to displace, to stand aside from, to be astonished, to astonish, to astound, to be astounded, to lose one’s senses, to be amazed, to amaze; Mt.12:23, Mk.2:12, Mk.3:21, Mk.5:42, Mk.6:51, Lk.2:47, Lk.8:56, Lk.24:22, Acts 2:7,12, Acts 8:9,11,13, Acts 9:21, Acts 10:45, Acts 12:16, 2Cor.5:13
The Incredulity of St. Thomas: painting by Michelangelo Caravaggio (1601)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in many ways, means to stand, to stand outside one’s self, to displace, to change, to become separated, to depart from, to be removed, and to give up possession. Euripides’ Bacchae 850 states, “Let us punish him. First drive him out of his wits, send upon him a dizzying madness, since if he is of sound mind he will not consent to wear women’ clothing, but driven out of his senses he will put it on.” Demosthenes’ Against Midias 21.72 states “These are the things that provoke men and make them beside themselves, if they are unused to insult. No description can bring the outrage as vividly before the hearers as it appears in truth and reality to the victim and the spectators.” Euripides’ Orestes 1021 states “Alas, again, as I take my last look at you, my senses have left me.” Interestingly, the Roman perspective of this term means to stand out (exist). This refers to standing out in the sense of both being and becoming.
Old Testament: This term, used in a more psychologically sense, means to cause panic, to be panicked, to terrify, and to be terrified. Non-human objects and events often take on anthropomorphic (human-like) characteristics. Ecstasy (an ecstatic event) occurs only in man’s reaction to the revelation of God’s word and work. Physiological and psychological movements (and responses) are often alternated. If I come upon him when he is weary and discouraged, I shall cause him panic (2Kgs.17:2). I will have the fear of me precede me, so that I will throw into panic every nation you reach (Exo.23:27). With that, Isaac was seized with a fit of uncontrollable trembling (Gen.27:33). In that day, says the Lord, the king will lose heart, and the princes; the priest will be amazed, and the prophets stunned (Jer.4:9). The smoke rose from it as the though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently (Exo.19:18). O Lord, I have heard your renown, and feared, O Lord, your work (Hab.3:2).
New Testament: This term means to astound, to be astounded, and to be out of one’s senses. Others were astounded by Jesus’ early scriptural understanding, His statements, and His miracles. Simon astounds with his magic. Simon, who later becomes devoted to Phillip, becomes astounded himself by the mighty deeds which were occurring. The Jewish Christians were astounded that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Gentiles.
Scripture:
“Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized, became devoted to Phillip; and when he saw the signs and mighty deeds that were occurring, he was astounded.” Acts 8:13
Simon, a magician who astounded others, becomes astounded by these mighty deeds. Sorcerers and magicians were well known in the ancient world. These miraculous charisms in the Christian community were shown in order to be distinguished (to avoid any confusion of) from these acts from sorcery.
“The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also.” Acts 10:45
These Jewish Christian could not easily accept that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were seeking both Jews and Gentiles.
“For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you.” 2Cor.5:13
There was a concern that ecstasies and charisms were not truly related to God’s revelation. Paul was also appealing to the fundamental Greek virtues of reasonableness, moderation, good judgment, and self-control.
Conclusion:
Exist, existence, existing, outstanding
In the Greco-Roman era, it was very surprising to discover that this term was quite extensively and widely used in many contexts. Some of the more unusual or nuanced meanings include disposing of claims, retiring from, shrinking from, and departing from (“I depart from my heart’s resolve and obey [Sophocles’ Antigone 1105]). It was interesting to learn about the Roman perspective of standing out. This Roman concept provides some understanding on the idea of standing out from the average level of things (or persons).
In the Old Testament culture, it was interesting to discover how this term is used in a psychological sense. God is frequently shown as the cause or source of astonishment and bewilderment. Ecstasy denotes the state of one who is “out of himself” It was also interesting to discover that human qualities were used to convey this term.
In the New Testament culture, this term is primarily used in the sense of to astound or to be astonished. This term reflects the powerful religious experiences of the early Church. This also provides some understanding of the idea of being beside oneself. (Now this idea doesn’t sound so crazy!)
I was astonished (although not exactly out of my mind) by the varied uses of this term unique to a specific period in history.