2297. thaumasios
Lexical Summary
thaumasios: Wonderful, marvelous

Original Word: θαυμάσιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: thaumasios
Pronunciation: thou-MAH-see-os
Phonetic Spelling: (thow-mas'-ee-os)
KJV: wonderful thing
NASB: wonderful things
Word Origin: [from G2295 (θαῦμα - wonder)]

1. wondrous
2. (neuter as noun) a miracle

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
wonderful thing, remarkable, admirable

From thauma; wondrous, i.e. (neuter as noun) a miracle -- wonderful thing.

see GREEK thauma

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2297 thaumásios (an adjective) – wonderful, moving a person within (personally) at the sight (which can include the selfish reaction of becoming indignant) (only used in Mt 21;15). See 2296 (thaumázō).

[2297 /thaumásios is used in the plural (substantively) in Mt 21:15.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
adjective from thauma
Definition
wonderful
NASB Translation
wonderful things (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2297: θαυμάσιος

θαυμάσιος, θαυμάσια, θαυμάσιον, rarely of two terminations (θαῦμα) (from Hesiod, Homer (h. Merc. 443) down), wonderful, marvellous; neuter plural θαυμάσια (the Sept. often for נִפְלָאות, also for פֶּלֶא), wonderful deeds, wonders: Matthew 21:15. (Cf. Trench, § xci.; better, Schmidt, chapter 168, 6.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The Greek term translated “wonderful things” in Matthew 21:15 gathers the saving acts of God performed by Jesus into a single, awe-evoking description. It speaks of deeds that awaken astonishment, confirm divine authority, and call forth worship.

Occurrence in the New Testament

Matthew 21:15 is the lone use: “But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.”

Immediate Context in Matthew 21

• Triumphal Entry (21:1-11) – Jesus fulfills Zechariah 9:9.
• Cleansing the Temple (21:12-13) – He restores true worship.
• Healing the blind and lame (21:14) – Signs of Isaiah 35:5-6.
• Children’s praise (21:15-16) – Echo of Psalm 8:2.

The plural “wonderful things” embraces these events as a unified revelation of messianic authority.

Old Testament and Septuagint Background

Cognate terms in the Septuagint describe the Exodus plagues (Exodus 7:3), the Red Sea deliverance (Exodus 15:11), and God’s ongoing “wonders” (Psalm 136:4). By applying the same vocabulary to Christ’s works, Matthew equates Jesus’ ministry with Yahweh’s historic acts of redemption.

Theological Themes

1. Revelation – Wonders disclose God’s character (John 2:11).
2. Validation – Miracles certify Jesus as the promised Son of David (Acts 2:22).
3. Worship – They demand a response of praise; children accept, leaders resist (Psalm 8:2; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
4. Judgment – Rejection of evident wonders exposes unbelief (John 12:37-40).

Christological Significance

Jesus performs the very wonders attributed to God, proving His divine identity. The indignant reaction of the priests prefigures the cross, where the ultimate wonder—resurrection—will overturn their verdict and vindicate the Son.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Expectant Faith – Approach God believing He still works wonders (Ephesians 3:20).
• Childlike Praise – Cultivate humble, unhindered worship (Matthew 18:3-4).
• Discernment – Guard against religious hardness that suppresses genuine works of God (2 Timothy 3:5).
• Proclamation – Declare “the wonderful deeds” of Him who called us out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9).

Devotional Insight

Meditate on the temple scene: healed beggars walking, children shouting “Hosanna,” and the incarnate King standing amid relieved suffering and overflowing praise. Let such contemplation kindle joyful confidence that the Lord still accomplishes “wonderful things” for those who trust Him.

Forms and Transliterations
θαυμασια θαυμασία θαυμάσια θαυμάσιά θαυμασίοις θαυμασίων thaumasia thaumásia
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 21:15 Adj-ANP
GRK: γραμματεῖς τὰ θαυμάσια ἃ ἐποίησεν
NAS: saw the wonderful things that He had done,
KJV: saw the wonderful things that
INT: scribes the wonders which he did

Strong's Greek 2297
1 Occurrence


θαυμάσια — 1 Occ.

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