Lexical Summary existémi: To amaze, to astonish, to be beside oneself, to be out of one's mind Original Word: ἐξίστημι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance amaze, make astonished, bewitch, wonder. From ek and histemi; to put (stand) out of wits, i.e. Astound, or (reflexively) become astounded, insane -- amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves), bewitch, wonder. see GREEK ek see GREEK histemi HELPS Word-studies 1839 eksístēmi (from 1537, ek, "out of," and 2476, histēmi, "to stand") – literally, "to remove from a standing (fixed) position," put out of place; i.e. "beside oneself," showing someone as flabbergasted (completely stupefied); at a total loss to explain or account for something; overwhelmed, astonished (amazed). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and histémi Definition to displace, to stand aside from NASB Translation amazed (10), amazement (1), astonished (2), astonishing (1), astounded (1), beside ourselves (1), lost His senses (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1839: ἐξίστημιἐξίστημι: likewise ἐξιστάω and ἐξιστάνω (Acts 8:9 participle ἐξιστῶν R G, ἐξιστάνων L T Tr WH (see ἵστημι)); 1 aorist ἐξέστησα; 2 aorist ἐξέστην; perfect infinitive ἐξεστακέναι; middle (present infinitive ἐξίστασθαι); imperfect 3 person plural ἐξίσταντο; 1. In present, imperfect, future, 1 aorist active to throw out of position, to displace: τινα τοῦ φρονεῖν, to throw one out of his mind, drive one out of his senses, Xenophon, mem. 1, 3, 12 φρενῶν, Euripides, Bacch. 850; hence, simply to amaze, astonish, throw into wonderment: τινα, Luke 24:22; Acts 8:9. 2. In perfect, pluperfect, 2 aorist active and also the middle, a. to be amazed, astounded: Matthew 12:23; Mark 2:12; Luke 8:56; Acts 2:7, 12; Acts 8:13; Acts 9:21; Acts 10:45; Acts 12:16 (the Sept. for חָרַד, to tremble, Exodus 19:18; Ruth 3:8, etc.); ἐξέστησαν ἐκστάσει μεγάλη, they were amazed with a great amazement (see ἔκστασις, 3), Mark 5:42; ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἐξίσταντο, Mark 6:51; with the dative of the thing: μαγείαις ἐξεστακέναι, had been put beside themselves with magic arts, carried away with wonder at them, Acts 8:11 (but this form of the perfect is transitive; cf. Buttmann, 48 (41); Veitch, 339); ἐξίσταντο ἐπί with the dative of thing, Luke 2:47 side oneself, insane": 2 Corinthians 5:13 (opposed to σωφρονεῖν); Mark 3:21 (cf. Buttmann, 198 (171); Winer's Grammar, § 40, 5 b.); (Greek writings, where they use the word in this sense, generally add τοῦ φρονεῖν, τῶν φρενῶν: Isocrates, Euripides, Polybius, others). Seventeen times the New Testament records the intense response of being “beside oneself” with wonder, bewilderment, or even accusation of madness. Whether directed toward the Lord Jesus Christ, His servants, or counterfeit spiritual power, the reaction consistently signals a confrontation with the supernatural that shatters ordinary categories of thought. Astonishment at the Person and Works of Jesus 1. Miraculous healings – Upon the raising of Jairus’s daughter, “they were overcome with great astonishment” (Mark 5:42). The paralytic who walked out with mat in hand likewise left the crowd “astounded and glorifying God” (Mark 2:12). Astonishment Surrounding the Resurrection Even before meeting the risen Christ, the women “amazed us” by reporting the empty tomb (Luke 24:22). The vocabulary underscores the disciples’ inability to assimilate the greatest miracle until Scripture and personal encounter resolved their bewilderment. Astonishment in the Acts of the Apostles 1. Pentecost – Outsiders heard Galileans speaking in many languages and were “astounded and amazed” (Acts 2:7), then “astounded and perplexed” (Acts 2:12). Wonder served as a gateway to Peter’s exposition of Joel and the gospel. Theological and Pastoral Significance • Divine self-disclosure – Each scene of astonishment marks a decisive unveiling of God’s power or purpose. The vocabulary therefore signals moments when heaven’s reality invades earthly perception. Historical Background In Hellenistic usage the underlying verb could describe trance or displacement of normal consciousness. The New Testament writers adapt the term without the pagan connotations of mystical escapism; instead, they employ it to register the impact of verifiable acts of God situated in salvation history. Implications for Contemporary Ministry 1. Expectation – Biblical precedent encourages prayer for works that leave no natural explanation and drive observers to consider Christ. Summary Reflection Strong’s Greek 1839 traces a thread of holy disorientation running from the manger to the mission field. Whenever God’s kingdom breaks into human affairs in visible power, minds are momentarily “set outside” themselves. Scripture directs that wonder toward worship, obedience, and a deeper grasp of the redemptive plan revealed in Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 12:23 V-IIM-3PGRK: Καὶ ἐξίσταντο πάντες οἱ NAS: the crowds were amazed, and were saying, KJV: all the people were amazed, and said, INT: And were amazed all the Mark 2:12 V-PNM Mark 3:21 V-AIA-3S Mark 5:42 V-AIA-3P Mark 6:51 V-IIM-3P Luke 2:47 V-IIM-3P Luke 8:56 V-AIA-3P Luke 24:22 V-AIA-3P Acts 2:7 V-IIM-3P Acts 2:12 V-IIM-3P Acts 8:9 V-PPA-NMS Acts 8:11 V-RNA Acts 8:13 V-IIM-3S Acts 9:21 V-IIM-3P Acts 10:45 V-AIA-3P Acts 12:16 V-AIA-3P 2 Corinthians 5:13 V-AIA-1P Strong's Greek 1839 |
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