Lexical Summary ekstasis: Ecstasy, trance, amazement Original Word: ἔκστασις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance amazement, astonishmentFrom existemi; a displacement of the mind, i.e. Bewilderment, "ecstasy" -- + be amazed, amazement, astonishment, trance. see GREEK existemi HELPS Word-studies 1611 ékstasis (from 1839 /eksístēmi, "completely remove") – properly, take out of regular position (standing) and bring into a state of ecstasy (rapture) – like a person "carried out" in trance-like amazement. This state of mind reaches far beyond the powers of ordinary perception. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom existémi Definition a displacement (of the mind), i.e. bewilderment, ecstasy NASB Translation amazement (1), astonishment (2), completely* (1), trance (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1611: ἔκστασιςἔκστασις, ἐκστάσεως, ἡ (ἐξίστημι); 1. universally, in Greek writing, any casting down of a thing from its proper place or state; displacement (Aristotle, Plutarch). 2. a throwing of the mind out of its normal state, alienation of mind, whether such as makes a lunatic (διανοίας, Deuteronomy 28:28; τῶν λογισμῶν, Plutarch, Sol. 8), or that of the man who by some sudden emotion is transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he is awake, his mind is so drawn off from all surrounding objects and wholly fixed on things divine that he sees nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceives with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God (Philo,quisrerumdivin.heres § 53 (cf. 51; B. D. under the word, Trance; Delitzsch, Psychol. 5:5)): ἐπέπεσεν (Rec., others ἐγένετο) ἐπ' ἔκστασις, Acts 10:10; εἶδεν ἐν ἐκστάσει ὅραμα, Acts 11:5; γενέσθαι ἐν ἐκστάσει, Acts 22:17, cf. 2 Corinthians 12:2f. 3. In the O. T. and the New amazement (cf. Longinus, 1, 4; Stobaeus, flor. tit. 104, 7), the state of one who, either owing to the importance or the novelty of an event, is thrown into a state of blended fear and wonder: εἶχεν αὐτάς τρόμος καί ἔκστασις, Mark 16:8; ἐξέστησαν ἐκστάσει μεγάλη, Mark 5:42 (Ezekiel 26:16); ἔκστασις ἔλαβεν ἅπαντας, Luke 5:26; ἐπλήσθησαν θάμβους καί ἐκστάσεως, Acts 3:10; (for חֲרָדָה, trembling, Genesis 27:33; 1 Samuel 14:15, etc.; פַּחַד, fear, 2 Chronicles 14:14, etc.). The word translated variously as “amazement,” “astonishment,” or “trance” portrays a sudden displacement from ordinary perception. In narrative settings it conveys overwhelming wonder before divine power; in visionary contexts it marks a Spirit-given state in which normal sensory awareness is suspended so that fresh revelation can be received. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Amazement before Miracles • Mark 5:42 – When Jesus restores Jairus’s daughter, “they were completely astonished”. 2. Trance and Prophetic Vision • Acts 10:10 – Peter on the rooftop “fell into a trance” and received the Gentile-embracing vision of the sheet. Patterns of Use • In the Gospels the term highlights the response of crowds to redemptive acts, indicating that Christ’s works irresistibly demonstrated divine authority. Theological Significance 1. Validation of Divine Initiative Both public astonishment and private trances serve as divine endorsements. Miraculous deeds validate Jesus as Messiah; trances authorize the Church’s missionary expansion. 2. Continuity with Old-Testament Prophecy Prophets such as Ezekiel experienced similar suspension of normal faculties (Ezekiel 1:1; 8:3). The New Testament usage shows prophetic continuity while centering all revelation on Christ and His gospel. 3. Christological Focus All seven occurrences ultimately direct attention to Jesus: the Gospels reveal His power; Acts reveals His ongoing headship over the Church by the Spirit. Historical Interpretation Early Church writers regarded ecstatic vision as an extraordinary but genuine operation of the Holy Spirit. While later excesses led to caution, the mainstream tradition affirmed that God may temporarily elevate believers beyond ordinary sensation for revelatory purposes, always subject to the test of Scriptural coherence. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Expectancy: Congregations should anticipate that genuine encounters with God can evoke profound awe. Summary Strong’s Greek 1611 describes both the amazed reaction of witnesses to God’s mighty acts and the Spirit-induced trances that deliver pivotal revelation. In every setting it underscores God’s sovereign initiative to reveal Himself, advance His redemptive plan, and elicit worshipful awe in His people. Englishman's Concordance Mark 5:42 N-DFSGRK: ἐξέστησαν εὐθὺς ἐκστάσει μεγάλῃ NAS: old. And immediately they were completely astounded. KJV: with a great astonishment. INT: they were overcome immediately with amazement great Mark 16:8 N-NFS Luke 5:26 N-NFS Acts 3:10 N-GFS Acts 10:10 N-NFS Acts 11:5 N-DFS Acts 22:17 N-DFS Strong's Greek 1611 |
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