[Greek] ἐκπλήσσω (ekplēssō), [Latin] mirare, [Latin] admirare, [Latin] stupere, [German] wundern: to amaze, to astonish, to astound, to strike with panic, to frighten, to surprise; Mt.7:28, Mt.13:54. Mt.19:25, Mt.22:33, 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
Background information:
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.
New Testament: This term means to be astounded, to be amazed, and to be astonished.
Notable scriptures:
Mt.13:54: Jesus’s local folk were astonished (taken offense) by Jesus’ ‘pretentiousness’
Mt.19:25: The disciples were astonished that Jesus said it would be difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Mt.22:33: The Sadducees were astonished that Jesuis said that life (with no marriage) exists at the resurrection
Mk.11:18: The crowd was astonished that Jesus said His house has been made into a den of thieves
Lk.2:48: Joseph and Mary were astonished at the young Jesus understanding the scriptures in the Temple
Etymology: The related Greek noun plege means destruction and affliction. The Latin verb admirare means to wonder at, to regard with wonder, and to be astonished. Admiration is a wondering at something or someone. The Lain verb stupere means to astound. The Latin adjective adjective stupidus means dull and foolish.
Conclusion:
Admire, admiration, stupefy, stupid, plague, apoplectic
Those who have a close familiarity with Jesus do not have a clear understanding of Jesus. This notion fosters incredulity.
Historically, in the Old Testament, having wealthy and material goods was considered a sign of God’s favor. Jesus seemingly contradicts Old Testament theology. Wealth and power offer a false sense of security. Achievement of salvation is solely dependent on God’s goodness.
This wealth and prosperity “gospel” is based on this Old Testament belief system.
Update: Many Americans were astonished that there was not a great “Red wave” of Republican victories in the House of Representatives
Taking into account the issue of abortion rights, perhaps it is not a surprise that there was not a Republican “red wave”.
I can imagine many are astonished that the Democrats (identified with lax crime policies) are still in power. New York is a prime example.
Many are perhaps astonished that President Biden feels that he has won a mandate.
Many will be perhaps surprised (or not surprised) about the revelations of the Twitter files that Elon Musk will release about censorship.
It should be no surprise or astonishment to think that President Zelenskyy would be selected for Time’s person of the year.
It is perhaps not surprising that Arizona senator Sinema would declare herself as an independent.
It is perhaps not surprising about what he have learned about Twitter’s past policies of content moderation, banning, and censorship. Many are now becoming quite astonished about the extent that politicians, Biden administration officials, media, and the FBI’s involvement and coordination with Twitter. It is now become frightening to consider the extent of their actions. The Jews, surprised by Paul efforts to reach them, were plotting to kill Paul. The Jewish leaders, shocked by Jesus actions, planned to criminally charge and crucify Him.
Next post: to plan against and to give advice