Luke 5:26
And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The amazement wasn't just about seeing Jesus perform a miracle; it was about witnessing something that defied their understanding of how the world worked. The Greek word used here, "paradoxa," means things "contrary to opinion," highlighting that this wasn't just unusual, but fundamentally challenged their expectations and beliefs about God's power and Jesus' identity.
This passage follows Jesus's dramatic healing of a paralytic man, which included forgiving his sins – a claim that deeply disturbed the religious leaders present. The crowd's amazement and awe are a direct reaction to this unprecedented display of divine power, as they've just witnessed something that defies all their expectations and understanding of what's possible.
Have you ever witnessed something so incredible it felt unreal? This verse captures that exact feeling. The word used for 'extraordinary things' points to something deeply surprising.
The original Greek word here, 'paradoxa,' literally means 'contrary to opinion.' It describes things that seem impossible or go against common understanding.
Imagine seeing a man paralyzed for years leap to his feet, fully healed. This wasn't just a small improvement; it was a profound disruption of the expected order of things. The onlookers recognized this wasn't a mere trick; it was a powerful display that challenged everything they thought they knew about what was possible.
It's easy to be amazed, but what happens next? This verse shows a powerful transition from shock to worship.
The reaction wasn't just stunned silence. The text says they 'glorified God.' This means they recognized the divine source of the miracle and gave Him praise. It wasn't just about the 'strange thing' itself, but about the One who could do such a thing.
This reminds us that true encounters with the extraordinary, especially those pointing to God's power, should lead us to worship. The 'fear' they felt wasn't terror, but a holy awe – a deep reverence for the presence and power of God they had just witnessed.
Understand the original words
ekstasis · Greek Noun
A profound state of emotional or intellectual disturbance, often caused by the unexpected intervention of the divine or miraculous. It signifies a loss of ordinary control when faced with the power or presence of God.
doxazō · Greek Verb
To acknowledge, exalt, or celebrate the inherent dignity, holiness, and character of God. It is a posture of worship where human beings declare the truth of who God is in response to His works.
phobos · Greek Noun
A reverential, holy fear or trembling characterized by a profound sense of awe in the presence of divine manifestation. It is the appropriate human response to the holiness of God.
The onlookers' amazement was rooted in seeing something utterly beyond their normal experience, a true 'paradox' where divine power over sin and physical restoration were displayed by Jesus.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus began teaching and performing miracles throughout the region of Galilee, drawing crowds and attracting attention from religious leaders.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees and Scribes Observe Jesus
Religious authorities, including Pharisees and teachers of the law from various towns, came to observe Jesus and His growing influence.
Early 1st century AD
Healing of the Paralytic
Jesus, in the presence of religious leaders and a large crowd, healed a man paralyzed from birth, first forgiving his sins and then commanding him to walk.
Early 1st century AD
Public Reaction to the Miracle
The crowd witnessing the healing were astonished by the miraculous event and Jesus' authority, leading them to praise God.
This passage shows a similar reaction where the crowds 'marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men,' mirroring the amazement and glorification of God seen in Luke 5:26.
Mark 2:12This verse describes the immediate outcome of Jesus forgiving the paralytic's sins, stating, 'and immediately he rose up and took his bed and went out before them all,' which is the 'extraordinary thing' that caused the amazement described in Luke.
Acts 3:10Following the healing of the lame man at the temple gate, the text says, 'and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened,' echoing the profound awe and astonishment experienced by the onlookers in Luke's account.
John 1:14The Gospel of John states, 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,' connecting the 'extraordinary things' seen in Luke to the manifestation of God's glory in Jesus.
clarkeLuke 5:26: "And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day."
Strange things - Παραδοξα, paradoxes. A paradox is something that appears false and absurd, but is not really so: or, something contrary to the commonly received opinion. We have seen wonders wrought which seem impossible; and we should conclude them to be tricks and illusions, were it not for the indisputable evidence we have of their reality.
jfbLuke 5:17-26: "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them."
Lu 5:17-26. Paralytic Healed.(See on [1574]Mt 9:1-8).17. Pharisees and doctors … sitting by—the highest testimony yet borne to our Lord's growing influence, and the necessity increasingly felt by the ecclesiastics throughout the country of…
The amazement wasn't just about seeing Jesus perform a miracle; it was about witnessing something that defied their understanding of how the world worked. The Greek word used here, "paradoxa," means things "contrary to opinion," highlighting that this wasn't just unusual, but fundamentally challenged their expectations and beliefs about God's power and Jesus' identity.
This passage follows Jesus's dramatic healing of a paralytic man, which included forgiving his sins – a claim that deeply disturbed the religious leaders present. The crowd's amazement and awe are a direct reaction to this unprecedented display of divine power, as they've just witnessed something that defies all their expectations and understanding of what's possible.
This passage follows Jesus's dramatic healing of a paralytic man, which included forgiving his sins – a claim that deeply disturbed the religious leaders present. The crowd's amazement and awe are a direct reaction to this unprecedented display of divine power, as they've just witnessed something that defies all their expectations and understanding of what's possible.
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"And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”" — The amazement wasn't just about seeing Jesus perform a miracle; it was about witnessing something that defied their understanding of how the world worked. The Greek word used here, "paradoxa," means…
