Amazement

Amazement at God’s actions

His marvellous deeds

Psalm 98:1 NRSV

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

See also Jos 3:5 The Lord promises to do amazing things when his people cross the Jordan; Jdg 13:19; 1 Ch 16:24; Ps 71:17; Ps 72:18; Ps 86:10; Ps 96:3; Ps 118:23; Is 25:1; Da 3:24 Nebuchadnezzar is amazed at seeing four men in the furnace; Re 15:1; Re 15:3

His creation

Job 37:5 NRSV

God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.

His judgment

Is 29:9; Hab 1:5; Jn 5:28

Throughout his life Jesus Christ inspired amazement

Mt 27:14; Lk 2:33; Lk 2:47; Lk 4:22

Amazement at Jesus Christ’s teaching

At his inherent authority

Matthew 7:28–29 NRSV

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

See also Mt 13:54; Mk 1:22; Mk 1:27; Jn 7:15

In debate with the Pharisees

Matthew 22:22 NRSV

When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

In theological debate with the Sadducees

Matthew 22:33 NRSV

And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

After talking with the rich young man

Mt 19:25; Mk 10:24

After the cleansing of the temple

Mk 11:18 Here the crowds’ amazement causes the chief priests and teachers of the law to fear Jesus Christ.

Amazement at Jesus Christ’s revelation of himself

Lk 24:41; Jn 5:20; 2 Th 1:10

Amazement at Jesus Christ’s miracles

Miracles of healing

Matthew 15:31 NRSV

so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

See also Mt 9:8 at the healing of the paralytic; Mk 5:42 at the healing of Jairus’ daughter; Ac 3:10–11 at the healing of the crippled beggar

The casting out of demons

Mark 1:27 NRSV

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Demonised mutes:

Mt 9:33; Lk 11:14

Mk 5:20 Legion; Lk 9:43 a boy with an evil spirit

Miracles of nature

Matthew 8:27 NRSV

They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

See also Mt 21:20 the withered fig-tree; Mk 6:51 Jesus Christ walking on the water; Lk 5:9 the miraculous haul of fish

Amazement at the coming of the Holy Spirit and subsequent events

Acts 2:12 NRSV

All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

See also Ac 2:7; Ac 8:13 Simon’s amazement at the miracles performed by Philip; Ac 9:21 amazement at the change in Saul; Ac 10:45 astonishment at the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles; Ac 12:16 amazement at Peter’s release from prison; Ac 13:12

Jesus Christ himself experienced amazement

Mk 6:6; Lk 7:9