ἐξίστημι (existēmi)
existēmi
to amaze
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb existēmi describes a state of being so overwhelmed that one is effectively removed from normal mental footing. It literally means to stand out or aside, but in Scripture it captures the shock of encountering something beyond ordinary experience. This sense appears when people are astounded by Jesus’ authority or miracles, such as the crowd’s reaction in Mark 2:12, or when they struggle to comprehend events like the empty tomb in Luke 24:22.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. In some passages, it denotes positive amazement at divine power, while in others, like Mark 3:21 where Jesus’ family thinks He is out of His mind, it implies a loss of sanity or reason. The word conveys a profound disorientation, whether caused by awe or confusion, marking a moment where understanding is temporarily suspended.
Translators often render this verb as "amazed," "astonished," or "beside oneself." This range highlights the intensity of the reaction: it is not merely surprise, but a visceral response that leaves the observer unable to process what they have seen. The term underscores the disruptive nature of divine intervention in human affairs.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word existēmi describes a moment where our usual way of seeing things stops working. It captures that sudden pause when something happens that is too big for normal explanation. In Mark 2:12, the crowd was so overwhelmed by the healing they saw that they could only glorify God because they had never seen anything like it before.
This reaction shows us that encountering divine power often leaves us speechless. It is not just surprise; it is a deep shock to our understanding. When we face moments that defy logic, whether in joy or confusion, this word reminds us that God’s work often exceeds our ability to fully grasp it immediately.
Even when people like Jesus’ family thought He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21), the intensity of His mission caused a reaction that looked like madness to them. This invites us to trust that God’s ways may seem strange or overwhelming at first, but they are rooted in a purpose greater than our current understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were amazed3×
- Were amazed3×
- they were amazed2×
- were amazed.1×
- we are crazy,1×
- to have amazed1×
- to be amazed1×
- he was amazed.1×
- amazing1×
- amazed1×
- They were amazed1×
- He is crazy.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξίσταντο6×
- ἐξέστησαν4×
- ἐξίστατο.¶1×
- ἐξίστασθαι1×
- ἐξέστησαν.1×
- ἐξέστημεν,1×
- ἐξέστη.1×
- ἐξιστάνων1×
- ἐξεστακέναι1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 2:12
He arose, and immediately took up the mat and went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
This verse highlights the positive awe of the crowd who were so overwhelmed by the miracle that they turned immediately to praising God.
-
Mark 3:21
When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.”
Here the word shifts to describe a negative reaction where Jesus’ family was so confused by His intensity that they thought He had lost His sanity.
-
II Corinthians 5:13
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.
Paul uses this term metaphorically to explain that his apparent madness or extreme behavior is actually driven entirely by his devotion to God.