θαμβέω (thambeō)
thambeō
to astonish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb thambeō describes a state of being deeply astonished, often carrying a weight of fear or trembling. Derived from the noun thambos, meaning terror or awe, it captures a reaction that goes beyond simple surprise to include a sense of being overwhelmed or unsettled. In the New Testament, this word appears in only four verses, primarily within the Gospel of Mark and the book of Acts.
Its usage highlights moments where Jesus’ authority or teaching disrupts the normal order of things. For instance, in Mark 1:27, crowds are amazed by his command over unclean spirits, while in Mark 10:24, the disciples are astonished by his difficult teaching on wealth. The sources note that in later Greek and the Septuagint, the term could even imply being terrified, suggesting that this amazement is not always positive but can be a response to divine power that shakes human confidence.
Translators typically render thambeō as "amazed" or "astonished," though these English words sometimes soften the original intensity. The Greek term implies a visceral reaction, a stopping of the heart in the face of something extraordinary. It serves as a literary marker in Mark’s Gospel for encounters with Jesus that challenge the observers’ understanding of reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thambeō describes a reaction that goes far beyond simple surprise. It captures a moment where we are so overwhelmed by what we see or hear that our usual way of thinking stops. This is not just curiosity; it is a visceral response to something extraordinary, often accompanied by a sense of awe or even trembling fear.
In the Gospels, this reaction frequently appears when Jesus reveals His true authority. In Mark 1:27, the crowds are left questioning everything they thought they knew because He commands unclean spirits with power they have never witnessed. This astonishment is not a flaw in faith but a natural human response to the divine breaking into our ordinary world.
When we encounter truths that challenge our comfort or our understanding of wealth and security, as seen in Mark 10:24, we may feel that same deep unsettlement. Rather than turning away, this reaction invites us to pause. It reminds us that God’s ways often disrupt our expectations, calling us to trust Him even when His teachings feel difficult or strange.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- were astonished3×
- they were astonished;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐθαμβήθησαν1×
- ἐθαμβοῦντο·1×
- ἐθαμβοῦντο1×
- θαμβῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 1:27
They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!”
This occurrence marks the first time the crowds witness Jesus exercising divine authority over spiritual forces, causing a reaction of deep astonishment that leads to questioning.
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Mark 10:24
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!
Here the word highlights the disciples' struggle to grasp the serious danger of trusting in riches rather than God, showing how Jesus' words can unsettle our priorities.
-
Mark 10:32
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
The text pairs this astonishment with fear as Jesus heads toward Jerusalem, indicating that His revelation of suffering creates a complex mix of awe and dread among the followers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does thambeō mean in the New Testament?
How is thambeō different from other words for amazement?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Mark 3 verses
They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with…
Mark 10:24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in…
Mark 10:32They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who…