[Greek] προσδοκάω (prosdokaō), [Latin] expectare, [Latin] sperare, [Latin] existimare: to expect, to watch for, to think ahead, to await, to anticipate, to look forward to; Mt.11:3, Mt.24:50, Lk.1:21, Lk.3:15, Lk.7:19-20, Lk.8:40, Lk.12:46, Acts 3:5, Acts 10:24, Acts 27:33, Acts 28:6, 2Pet.3:12-14
Peter in the House of Cornelius: painting by Barend Fabritius (1653). Cornelius is so impressed by his vision that he invites his relatives and close friends to meet Peter.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to look upon, to expect, to hope for, to expect something (or someone), to suppose something, to fear, and to prepare for the unexpected. Plato’s Cratylus 438e states “It seems that things may be learned without names. What other way is left by which you could expect to know them?” Polybius’ Histories 23.7.3 states “The Macedonians gave Demetrius a cordial reception, believing that they be relieved from all danger; for they had looked upon a war with Rome. Sophocles’ Philoctetes 784 states “I look for worse to come.” Antiphon’s On the Murder of Herodes 5.19 states “However, in spite of that disadvantage, I will try to prove my innocence; although it is hard to refute at a moment’s notice false charges careful formed, as one cannot prepare oneself against the unexpected.”
Old Testament: This term means to expect, to wait, to look for, to hope, to lie in wait, and to bind together (to be strong). For Your salvation I wait, O Lord (Gen.49:18). The travelers of Sheba hoped for them (Job 6:19). When I expected good, then evil came (Job 30:26). But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land (Psa.37:9). Thus He looked for justice, but behold bloodshed (Isa.5:7). We hope for justice, but there is none (Isa.59:11). At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord, and all the nation will be gathered to it (Jer.3:17).
New Testament: This term essentially means to wait or to expect. The parable of the faithful (unfaithful) servant illustrates the servant’s readiness for the return of the master. The people wait wondering why Zechariah remains in the temple. The centurion Cornelius, after seeing a vision, waits for Peter to come to his home. The people were wondering if John might be the Messiah. The crippled beggar, expecting something, was healed by Peter in the name of Jesus. Some noticed that Paul was waiting to take food. After having seen Paul being bitten by a snake, they were expecting Paul to die, but instead Paul was fine. 2 Peter references the the expectation for eschatological hope.
Scripture:
“Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.” Lk.1:21
Zechariah doubted whether his wife could have a child. Zechariah was made mute because of his own doubts about this happening. Meanwhile, the people were wondering about Zechariah in the sanctuary.
“On the following day Peter entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”
Upon receiving a vision, Cornelius calls for Peter to come to his residence.
“He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.” Acts 3:5
The crippled beggar notices that Peter and John approaching him. The beggar was perhaps expecting some food scraps from them. Instead, the beggar was healed by Peter.
Conclusion:
Expect, expectation, expecting, prosper (to turn out well), exist, existence
It was interesting to discover that this term has many uses or meanings. Essentially, this term pertains to expectations and unsurprising or difficult outcomes. As a result, hope, fear, or uncertainty may occur.
In the Old Testament, this term is also used extensively. The more nuanced examples include lying in wait and binding together (being strong).
In the New Testament, the parable of the faithful (unfaithful) servant points to one’s readiness to meeting Christ. Zechariah had to wait until his son’s naming to be able to speak again. Some of John’s disciples were waiting with doubt or uncertainty if the Messiah would follow the way of fiery judgement of John the Baptist. When they saw that Paul was unaffected by the snake bite, some thought that Paul was actually a god.
Current events: I can imagine many are wondering: when will this chaos (property destruction, violence, and looting, murders, etc.) in these cities end? It seems like that this will continue as long as these mayors (and local leaders) are unwilling (or are refusing) to stamp out this violence. This will continue as long as the police are “hand-cuffed” in their abilities to arrests these culprits. This will also continue as long as local prosecutors fail to bring charges against these criminals. Are you surprised that these criminal elements have become emboldened because of the local leaders’ weakness? If the citizens and business owners do not feel safe living in these cities, when do you expect that they will leave these cities? As of now, Gov. Cuomo and Mayor DeBlasio are begging the wealthy to remain in New York City. What do you expect would happen with gun purchases when crime is getting worse and the NRA is being attacked? Private citizens are now purchasing guns for the means of protecting themselves (because they have little or no confidence that the police will be able to help them).
The transgender movement is also creating chaos in women’s sports competitions. When did the LGBT movement expect to experience push-back in terms of equal opportunities in competition in girls and women’s sports organizations? Women and girls are now forced to compete with the the larger masculine muscle mass of transgender women (girls) in physical competitions. Lawsuits are now being undertaken to ensure this fairness.
To be honest, at first I really did not know what to expect in learning about this term. This term far exceeded my expectations.