Lexical Summary paradoxos: Unexpected, strange, wonderful Original Word: παράδοξος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance strange. From para and doxa (in the sense of seeming); contrary to expectation, i.e. Extraordinary ("paradox") -- strange. see GREEK para see GREEK doxa NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and doxa Definition contrary to opinion or expectation NASB Translation remarkable things (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3861: παράδοξοςπαράδοξος, παράδοξον (παρά contrary to (see παρά, IV. 2), and δόξα opinion; hence, equivalent to ὁ παρά τήν δόξαν ὤν), unexpected, uncommon, incredible, wonderful: neuter plural Luke 5:26 (A. V. strange things, cf. Trench, § 91 at the end). (Judith 13:13; Wis. 5:2 etc.; Sir. 43:25; 2 Macc. 9:24; 4 Macc. 2:14; Xenophon, Plato, Polybius, Aelian v. h. 4, 25; Lucian, dial. deor. 20, 7; 9, 2; Josephus, contra Apion 1, 10, 2; Herodian, 1, 1, 5 ((4 Bekker)).) Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 3861 describes occurrences that defy accepted expectations and provoke reverent awe. The single New Testament use (Luke 5:26) anchors the word in the ministry of Jesus Christ, capturing the crowd’s response to His authority to forgive sins and to heal. The term therefore serves as a lens through which Scripture highlights God’s capacity to overturn human presuppositions and to disclose His glory in unanticipated ways. Biblical Setting in Luke 5:17-26 The word appears at the climax of the healing of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof. Jesus first pronounces, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20), a declaration that scandalizes the scribes and Pharisees. To authenticate His authority, Jesus commands the paralytic to rise, and the man “went home glorifying God” (Luke 5:25). Verse 26 records the crowd’s reaction: “They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’” Their exclamation captures three movements: 1. Amazement that silences argument. Revelation of Jesus’ Identity The incident shows Jesus bringing together two realms that, to human eyes, appeared separate: physical healing and forgiveness of sin. The people perceive something that surpasses all conventional categories. The “remarkable things” confirm that: • The Son of Man holds divine prerogatives (forgiveness). Thus the vocabulary of the extraordinary becomes a Christological witness: the One who performs such deeds cannot be confined to ordinary expectations. Old Testament Echoes Throughout the Old Testament, God’s acts are distinguished by their unexpected, awe-inspiring character: • “I will perform wonders never before done in any nation” (Exodus 34:10). The language of divine novelty prepares readers to recognize the fulfillment in Christ. Luke’s singular use of 3861 aligns the gospel narrative with the established pattern: the God of Israel continues to surprise His people with redemptive interventions, now embodied in His Son. Paradox and the Gospel Message The term naturally invites reflection on the broader paradoxes at the heart of salvation: • Strength displayed through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Luke 5:26 foreshadows these themes. The crowd marvels at healing, but the deeper wonder lies in authoritative forgiveness—an unseen reality made credible by visible action. The gospel itself is the ultimate “remarkable thing,” overturning every human assumption about how God should act. Historical Reception in the Early Church Early Christian preaching repeatedly recalled events that astonished witnesses (Acts 2:22; Acts 3:9-10). Church fathers pointed to such episodes as evidence of the gospel’s power to challenge prevailing worldviews. The word for “remarkable” became emblematic of the apologetic thrust: Christianity entered the Greco-Roman world not as speculative philosophy but as public demonstration of divine power. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Cultivating Expectation Congregations should anticipate that God still works beyond predictable patterns, whether in conversions, answered prayer, or providential guidance (Ephesians 3:20). 2. Linking Compassion with Proclamation Jesus addressed bodily need and spiritual need in one integrated act. Contemporary ministry that marries practical care with the message of forgiveness mirrors this pattern and invites similar astonishment. 3. Encouraging Testimony Just as the healed man and the crowd glorified God, believers today are called to recount God’s striking interventions, fostering faith in others (Psalm 66:16). 4. Guarding Against Familiarity The crowd’s amazement contrasts with the skepticism of religious leaders. Churches must beware of domestication of the miraculous and maintain humility before God’s surprising grace. Homiletical Outline Suggestion Title: “When God Surprises” Text: Luke 5:17-26 I. The Unmet Expectation (The need of the paralytic) II. The Unthinkable Declaration (“Your sins are forgiven”) III. The Unquestionable Demonstration (Rise and walk) IV. The Uncontained Response (“We have seen remarkable things”) V. The Unending Invitation (Anticipating God’s further wonders) Key Cross-References for Study Exodus 34:10; Numbers 23:23; Isaiah 29:14; Habakkuk 1:5; Matthew 9:8; Mark 2:12; Acts 3:10; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:12. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 3861 accents the unanticipated nature of divine activity manifested supremely in Jesus Christ. Luke’s single use crystallizes a recurring biblical theme: God breaks into human history with acts that upend assumptions, compel worship, and authenticate His saving purpose. The term summons believers to live in expectant faith, confident that the God who once elicited cries of amazement continues to perform “remarkable things today.” Forms and Transliterations παραδοξα παράδοξα paradoxa parádoxaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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