[Greek] ἐξίστημι (existēmi), [Latin] stupere, [Latin] admire, [Latin] terrare, [Latin] seducer, [Latin] excedere, [French] partir, [French] separer: to displace, to stand aside from, to astonish, to astound, to amaze, to lose one’s senses: Mt.13:23, 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 8:9,1,13, Acts 10:45, Acts 12:16, 2Cor.5:13
It is perhaps not surprising or astonishing to see how the world’s morals (and values) have contradicted and even mocked traditional Christian values (which come from God).
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to drive out, to change, to confound, to amaze, to divert, to lose one’s sense, to stand out, to abandon, to become separate, and to depart from.
Plutarch’s Fabius Maxims 5: “Now he would seek to throw his forces into confusion.”
Xenophon’s Anabasis 1.5.14: “Proxenus began to beg Clearchus not to proceed to attack. Clearchus was angry and ordered Proxenus to remove himself between them.”
Xenophon’s Symposium 4.31: “I have the free man’s privilege of going abroad or staying home as I please. People actually rise from their seats in deference or give me the right of way on the street.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 928: “But this lock of hair has come out of place, not the way I arranged it.”
Sophocles’ Ajax 82: “I would not shrink from him in fear, if he were sane.”
Sophocles’ Antigone 1105: “Ah, it is a struggle, but I depart from my resolve and obey.”
Euripides’ Orestis 1021: “Alas, again, as I take my last look at you, my senses leave me.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 850: “Let us punish him. First drive him out of his wits. Send upon him a dizzying madness.”
Old Testament: This term, used psychologically and physically, means to cause panic, to terrify, to astonish, anxiety, and ecstasy.
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, statements, and miracles. Simon astounds with his magic. Simon, who later becomes devoted to Phillip, becomes astounded himself by the might deeds which were occurring. The Jewish Christians were astounded that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on the Gentiles. The Jews were astounded that others were speaking in their own language. Many were astounded that Paul was proclaiming about Jesus.
Scripture:
“When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind.’” Mk.3:21
Jesus had just healed a man on the sabbath, cured diseases, and removed a demon from a person. When others heard this, His relatives claimed He was out of His mind. The scribes thought He was possessed by Beelzebul.
“And all who heard Him were astounded as His understanding and His answers.” Lk.2:47
Joseph and Mary were astounded in finding the young Jesus in the Temple listening and talking about scripture.
“A man named Simon used to practice magic in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.” Acts 8:9
Sorcerers and magicians were well known the ancient world. The miraculous charisms in the Christian community were shown in order to be distinguished (to avoid any confusion) from acts of sorcery.
Conclusion:
Exist, existence, admire, admiration, part, sort, terror, terrorize seduce, seduction, separate, separation, excede
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term: retiring from, giving up possession, abandoning, and shirking. The Roman perspective of this term means to stand out (exist) in the sense of being and becoming.
In the Old Testament, God is frequently shown as the cause or source of astonishment and bewilderment.
After Jesus had driven out demons, the Pharisees claimed that Jesus did this through the power of Beelzebul. The Pharisees were out of their mind in thinking this, making nonsensical statements.
It was because of his friends’ faith that the paralytic was healed.
It is astonishing that even Jesus’ friends thought that He was out of His mind.
We are now living in a post-modern Christian world where Christian values and morals are being attacked and eroded.
Update: It is astonishing or non-sensical that:
President Biden has mocked the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. (So much for showing deference to one branch of our government).
President Biden has become Ron Burgendy in saying “End of quote. Repeat the line.”
Senator Warren is upset that pregnancy centers are encouraging visitors to keep their baby. (We just can’t have this going on!)
More constitutional lawyers are trashing the Constitution.
The NEA is advocating for changing mothers/fathers to “birthing partners”.
Bare breasted drag show performers are holding hands with toddlers.
Abortion supporters are still harassing Supreme Court justice Kavanaugh.
NARAL founder Dr. Bernard Nathanson deeply regretted pushing to legalize abortion.
Vice President Kamala Harris continues to spew gibberish and “word salad” in her speeches.
The Biden Administration sent oil from our national reserve to China and other countries.
Many Americans are coming to the realization that several states already have older anti-abortion laws
Biden continues to blame Putin for inflation.
The Washington Post declares that our nation should have independence from the Founding Fathers.
It may or may not be astonishing (depending on your perspective) that there are others out there who are ignorant or who have no knowledge of God in their lives. So it follows that they may not know His will for them. Therefore, many have found themselves separated from God, lacking salvation and common sense. In a sense, this ignorance has become deafening. Providing them a good example will help to silence this noise of ignorance.
Next post: being ignorant and having no knowledge