[Greek] ἔκστασις (ekstasis), [Latin] stupor, [Latin] extasis, [Latin] mentis excessus, [Lation] invaserat pavor, [Latin] adprehendere stupor, [Latin] stupore, [Latin] mentis excessus, [Latin] mentis visionem: amazement, astonishment, bewilderment, ecstatic vision; Mk.5:42, Mk.16:8, Lk.5:26, Acts 3:10, Acts 10:10, Acts 11:5, Acts 22:17
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means change of place, displacement, standing aside, astonishment, trance, ecstasy, and distraction.
Plato’s Phaedrus 244a: “But in reality, the greatest of blessing come to us through madness, when it is a gift from the gods.”
Plato’s Phaedrus 256b: “Neither human wisdom nor divine inspiration can confer upon man any greater blessing than this.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 680: “I saw three companies of dancing woman cast off refreshing sleep and sprang upright.”
Plato’s Ion 543b: “A poet is a light and winged and sacred thing, who is put out of senses, and his mind is no longer in him, not able to compose.”
Plato’s Timaeus 71e: “God gave unto man’s foolishness the gift of divination. No man achieves true and inspired divination when in his rational mind.”
Ecstatic event: One must first determine whether the event is divinely inspired, demonically inspired, or a neurotic disturbance. The boundary between ecstasy and illusion may be tenuous. An ecstasy in the narrow sense involves a beneficial infilling of a higher power. These events involve dancing women or oracles delivering prophecy. There can be a small distinction between a seer and ecstatic.
Old Testament: This term means illusion, fear, terror, and speaking with frenzy. The prophets were repeatedly described as mad. One gifted with supernatural knowledge is viewed more as a seer than an ecstatic. Rather than by artificial means, Yahweh is the source of events. Prophetic proclamations were made by speech.
New Testament: This term means amazement, astonishment, and ecstatic vision (trance). Ecstatic events are seen in a narrow or nuanced sense. Paul, rather than Jesus or John the Baptist, falls into the category as an ecstatic. The people were utterly astonished that Jesus healed the “dead” synagogue official’s daughter. The women were seized with fear and bewilderment upon seeing the empty tomb. They were astonished when Jesus healed the paralyzed man. The people were amazed at seeing the man begging at the Beautiful Gate walking. Peter, praying on the roof, fell into a trance seeing a sheet in the sky. Paul fell into trance, seeing the Lord telling him to leave Jerusalem at once.
Scripture:
“Then they went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mk.16:8
The women saw an angel telling them that Jesus has risen. They were to tell Peter and the disciples.
“Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and struck with awe, they said, ‘We have seen incredible things today’.” Lk.5:26
The paralytic’s friends brought him down through to be healed by Jesus. The paralytic was healed because of their faith.
“Peter was hungry and wished to eat, while they were making preparations he fell into a trance.” Acts 10:10
In his trance Peter sees a sheet in the sky. This vision indicates to Peter that God has made all animals clean.
Etymology: The Greek noun ekstasis mean standing (stasis) outside (ek-) oneself. Stupor is a lacking of ordinary mental activity. The Latin noun admiratio means a wondering at (ad-). The Latin invaserat pavor means was overcome with fear. The Latin verb adprehendere means to seize upon or lay hold of. The Latin mentis excessus means mental excess. Interestingly, the related Latin noun raptus means seized or captured. The Latin alienatio mentus means out of mind.
Rapture, stupor, stupid, admire, admiration, invasion, invade, apprehend ecstasy, ecstatic, alienation
This term can essentially mean to be out of one’s mind.
Jesus woke up the girl from her “sleep” of death. Sleep is a biblical metaphor for death.
The sheet in the sky alludes to the removal of animal restrictions. This begins Peter’s ministry to the Gentiles.
God oftentimes provides visions (insights) to some. These visions may seem often viewed as strange or madness to others. (Padre Pio., St. Theresa, St. Catherine, etc)
Update: In this current post Christian world, traditional Catholic (Christian) views may often be seen as extreme or hateful.
It is almost as if you have to be out of your mind to be holy in this post-Christian world!
Many are astonished that Governor DeSantis is receiving favorable reviews in overseeing Florida’ rebuilding.
Some are astonished or surprised that there have only been few major hurricanes this season in this climate crisis environment.
Many of are not surprised about inflation because of this massive government spending.
Many Democrats and Progressives are surprised that supposed momentum for Biden has stopped.
It is perhaps not surprising that there are now greater chances that the Republicans could take over both houses of Congress. (Can you say ‘red wave’?)
Some have been surprised that several Democrat candidates running for office are not showing up in their debates with their opponents.
Many are not surprised that the Biden administration has not done anything with securing the border.
Some have been surprised that abortion has not become the overriding issue in this election. (Inflation, crime, and the border are the more important concerns.)
Many are not surprised that Democratic party is losing the support of the Black and Latino constituents.
It is quite astonishing that it is often more difficult for a minor to get a tattoo rather than gender reassignment surgery.
It is quite astonishing (or perhaps not) that the Democratic party would hide and take advantage of John Fetterman’s physical disabilities for political purposes (Nothing to see here, folks!)
It is often quite astounding to see how people act toward others in various circumstances. It is astonishing to see that many criminals feel emboldened thinking that they can escape punishment and justice. Yet, they are out of their minds if they think they will escape God’s attention and judgment. For those who have shown generosity (laying up spiritual treasures for themselves) towards others in difficulties, this will also not escape the attention of God. Jew or Gentile, Christian or Muslim, we cannot flee from our actions as we will eventually have to report for our scheduled performance review before God.
Next post: to escape from and to flee away from