[Greek] ἐκπλήσσω (ekplēssō), [Latin] admirare, [Latin] mirare, [Latin] stupere: to amaze, to astonish, to astound, to strike with panic, to frighten, to surprise; Mt.7:28, Mt.13:54, Mt.19:25, Mk.1:22, Mk.6:2, Mk.7:37, Mk.10:26, Mk.11:18, Lk.2:48, Lk.4:32, Lk.9:43, Acts 13:12
The Boy Jesus in the Temple: painting by Heinrich Hofmann (1881). Joseph and Mary were both astounded in finding Jesus in the Temple.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to strike out, to drive away, to expel, to amaze, to astound, to be struck, and to drive out one’s senses. Euripides’ Orestes 549 states “Old man, I am afraid to speak before you. Only let your years, which frightened me from speaking, set no barrier in the path of my work.” Euripides’ The Trojan Woman 183 states “I have come stricken with terror.” Aeschylus’ Persians 290 states “Long have I kept silent in my misery, struck with dismay at our disaster.” Herodotus’ The Histories 1.116 states “Astonished at this, he sat awhile silent; but at last with difficulty he collected his wits.” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 1.4.27 states “Now a certain Median gentlemen, very noble, had for some considerable time had been struck with Cyrus’ beauty.”
Old Testament: This term means to be appalled, to be desolate, to be awestruck, to stupefy, to devastate, to grow numb, and to cause oneself ruin. I will lay waste your cities as well and make your sanctuaries deserted (Lev.26:31). Then we have laid waste even to Nophah (Num.21:30). Everyone who passes by it will be astonished (2Chr.7:21). The upright will be appalled at this (Job 17:8). You have laid wast all my company (Job 16:7). Why should you ruin yourself? (Ecc.7:16). Everyone who passes by Babylon will be horrified (Jer.50:13). And the land is destitute of what which filled it (Eze.32:15).
New Testament: This term means to be greatly astounded, to be amazed, and to be astonished.
Jesus preaching in Nazareth (Mt.13:54)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus teaching and performing mighty deeds.
Who were astonished (surprised): Local people astonished (taken offense) by Jesus’ ‘pretentiousness’.
Jesus says one must sell possessions and give to the poor (Mt.19:25)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus’ teachings contradict the Old Testament’s teachings that wealth and material goods are a sign of God’s favor.
Who were astonished (surprised): The rich young man and fellow Jews.
Sadducees asking Jesus about marriage in heaven (Mt.22:33)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus stating that marriage no longer exists in heaven.
Who were astonished (surprised): The Sadducees
Jesus heals the deaf man (Mk.7:37)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus heals because of the Gentiles’ faith (belief) in His power.
Who were astonished (surprised): The Gentiles were astonished but they also believed in His power.
Jesus enters into the temple and becomes angry (Mk.11:18)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus overturning the tables
Who were astonished (surprised): The crowd, scribes, and chief priests.
Joseph and Mary looking for Jesus (Lk.2:48)
Astonishing (surprising) event: Jesus in the temple
Who were astounded (surprised): Joseph and Mary
Second prediction of the Passion (Lk.9:43)
Astonishing (surprising) event: The Son of Man will be handed over to men.
Who were astonished (surprised): The disciples
Etymology: The Latin verb admirare means to wonder at, to regard with wonder, and to be astonished. Admiration is a wondering at something or someone. This sense later means high regard or esteem. The Latin verb stupefacere means to make stupid or senseless. This word comes form the Latin root verb stupere, meaning to be stunned. The Lat adjective stupidus means confounded, dull, and foolish. The Latin verb plangere means to strike. The Latin noun plaga means affliction, destruction, and blow. Apoplectic means disabled by a stroke, crippled, dumbstruck, and foolish. The Latin verb surprendere, means that something takes over. The prefix sur- means over and beyond. The verb prendere means to grasp or to seize. Essentially, a surprise is something unexpected. One is literally ‘overtaken’ by something you did not see coming.
Conclusion:
Admire, admiration, stupefy, stupid, surprise, surprising, plague, apoplectic
To be honest, I was really surprised by the extensive background of this term. I did not realize such an active sense of striking, driving, and astounding. One can be struck with fear, terror, beauty, and frightened out of one’s wits.
I was also struck by this term’s etymological depth. It is interesting to note that admiration, plagues, stupefying, and surprising are all related. Very surprising!
In the Old Testament, Isa.53:5 prophesies that the Messiah (Jesus) would receive stripes in being whipped. His suffering (whipping and crucifixion) leads to the redemption of humanity. In a sense the Messiah would be laid desolate through God’s providence.
The New Testament provides illustrative examples of how others are astounded or surprised. This is also indicative of the various peoples’ attitudes toward Jesus. Some were derisive, offended, suspicious, surprised, or confused toward Him. Many also were very unsettled by Jesus’ difficult teachings.
Perhaps the most surprising example is that I did not realize that having wealth and material goods was a highly held Old Testament value. Essentially, Jesus introduces a contradictory teaching that focuses more on spiritual wealth. Jesus states that it is easier for a camel to enter a needle’s eye than for a rich man getting into heaven. This becomes a very difficult teaching for the rich young man and others.
Jesus also states the provocative notion that listening and acting on the words of the Gospel are both needed for salvation. In other words, faith requires works (actions). Jesus also reminds us that faith (trust) is often first needed in order for miracles (healings) to occur. The Nazoreans were astounded because they had little faith in Jesus.
I can imagine that Joseph and Mary were apoplectic (stricken with fear) upon losing Jesus. They were astounded in seeing Jesus in the temple. The Sadducees, in their efforts to trick Jesus, were astounded upon learning that the marriage state no longer exists in heaven.
Current events: In a sense many of us have been struck with fear by this pandemic. Unfortunately, many have been struck down by this virus. I also think most of us were very surprised and dismayed by what happened in the first presidential debate. And then we were further surprised when President Trump was stricken by the coronavirus!
So I hope you are not surprised I made this post!