[Greek] προσδοκάω (prosdokaō), [Latin] expectare, [Latin] non sperare, [Latin] cogitare: to watch, to expect to anticipate, to await, to look forward to the future; Mt.11:3, Mt.24:50, Lk.1:21, Lk.3:5, 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
Salome visiting John the Baptist in prison: painting by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. John the Baptist ask his followers if Jesus is the one to later come.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to look upon, to expect (in hope or fear), to suppose, and to hesitate. Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 930 states “Must we really look for one to gain mastery over Zeus?” Plato’s Laws 699b states “By sea too, they saw no hope of safety, with more than 100 warships bearing down against them.” Euripides’ Alcestis 1091 states “Do you suppose you are doing your dead wife any good that way?” Plato’s Statesman 275a states “Apparently, we expect do not expect a complete description of the statesman only when we have defined the manner of his rule over the state.”
Old Testament: This term means to gather, to wait, to hope, to expect, and to assemble. For Your salvation I wait, Lord (Gen.49:18). The travelers of Sheba hoped for them (Job 3:9). When I expected good, evil came (Job 30:26). At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord’ and all the nations will assemble at it (Jer.3:17).
New Testament: This term means to wait, to look for, to expect, and to stay longer than expected. In prison, John the Baptist, perhaps with some doubts, asks if Jesus is the one to come. In the parable of the faithful or unfaithful servant, the master will come on an unexpected day and hour. The people were waiting for Zechariah who was made mute by the angel. The crowd waited for and welcomed Jesus. The beggar, expecting something from Peter and John, was healed in Jesus’ name. Cornelius, greatly affected by the apparition was expecting Peter at his door. They were expecting Paul to be injured by the snake.
Scripture:
“On the following day Peter entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Acts 10:24
Cornelius was so impressed by the apparition that he invited his relatives and friends to meet Peter.
“Are you the one who is to come, to should we look for another?” Mt.11:3
John sent his disciples to ask Jesus this question. John wasn’t sure if Jesus was to be the Messiah.
“Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.” Lk.1:21
Zechariah was made mute by the angel for his lack of faith in Elizabeth becoming with child.
Conclusion:
Expect, expectation, prosper, despair, cogitation
In Greek Hellenism, this term takes on a wide range of meanings. Waiting can take on a sense of both fear or hope.
In the Old Testament, this term this pertains to expectation increasingly concentrated on God and His acts, hope in God, salvation, mercy, and resurrection.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist may have expressed some doubt as to if Jesus is to be come the Messiah. Mal.3:1 provides the Old Testament prophecy of John the Baptist being sent. The parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant is directed to the church leaders. The beggar did not expect to be healed by Peter. Cornelius was so affected by the apparition that he knelt before Jesus.
During this season of Advent, we are awaiting for Jesus to come.
The Latin verb sperare means to have hope. The Latin verb desperare means to to be hopeless.
WARNING – USELESS WORDS ALERT –
Sperate: Having hope or being hopeful.
I bet you did not expect to see this word!