ἐκθαυμάζω (ekthaumazō)
ekthaumazō
be amazed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekthaumazō describes a state of being greatly amazed or astonished. It is an intensified form of the common word for wonder, suggesting that the reaction goes beyond simple surprise to deep astonishment. In the New Testament, this specific term appears only once, in Mark 12:17.
Jesus uses it when the crowd marvels at his wisdom in answering a tricky question about paying taxes. By choosing this stronger word, the text emphasizes that the listeners were not just mildly curious but thoroughly struck by the answer. The prefix "ek-" adds force, implying that the amazement bursts forth from within.
This single usage highlights how the Gospel writers carefully selected words to convey the intensity of human reactions to Jesus. While other passages might use a standard term for wonder, here the author wants the reader to feel the weight of the moment. The crowd’s response was not casual; it was profound and immediate.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekthaumazō captures a moment of profound astonishment, going far beyond simple surprise to describe a reaction that is deeply rooted and intensely felt. In Mark 12:17, the crowd did not just nod in agreement or offer polite applause; they were struck by the wisdom of Jesus’ answer regarding taxes. This intense response highlights how divine truth can penetrate our defenses and leave us speechless with wonder.
When we encounter God’s Word today, we are invited to let it challenge our assumptions rather than merely confirm what we already know. Like that first-century crowd, we may find ourselves amazed when Jesus speaks into the complex tensions of our daily lives. This kind of amazement is not a passive state but an active recognition of God’s sovereignty over every area, from our finances to our faith.
May you experience this same depth of wonder as you read Scripture, allowing its truths to reshape your perspective and draw you closer to the heart of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were amazed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐξεθαύμαζον1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:17
Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
This verse uses ekthaumazō to show that the crowd’s reaction was not just curiosity but a deep, internal astonishment at Jesus’ wisdom in handling a politically charged question.