You are Witnesses

Clippings Document

  Surprises

Synopsis

People are often taken unawares by God’s power, love and wisdom. The actions of God and Jesus Christ are often described as surprising those who witnessed them.

God’s actions surprise people

Surprise at the sudden appearance of angels

Lk 1:11–12

Luke 1:11–12 (ESV) — 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.

See also Da 8:16–17; Lk 1:28–29; Lk 2:9; Ac 10:3–4

Daniel 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

Luke 1:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 2:9 (ESV) — 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Acts 10:3–4 (ESV) — 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

Surprise deliverance

Da 3:26–27; Ac 5:19–24; Ac 12:14–18; Ac 28:6

Daniel 3:26–27 (ESV) — 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.

Acts 5:19–24 (ESV) — 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.

Acts 12:14–18 (ESV) — 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

Acts 28:6 (ESV) — 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Surprise at special births

Lk 1:29–34

Luke 1:29–34 (ESV) — 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

See also Ge 17:17; Lk 1:18

Genesis 17:17 (ESV) — 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Luke 1:18 (ESV) — 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Surprise at the circumstances of Jesus Christ’s death

Mt 27:54

Matthew 27:54 (ESV) — 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Surprise at the coming of the Holy Spirit

Ac 2:6–7

Acts 2:6–7 (ESV) — 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

See also Ac 10:45

Acts 10:45 (ESV) — 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

Surprise at the change in people’s lives

Ac 9:21

Acts 9:21 (ESV) — 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”

See also Mk 5:15

Mark 5:15 (ESV) — 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Surprise at the second coming

Mt 24:44

Matthew 24:44 (ESV) — 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

See also Mal 3:1; Mt 24:50; Mt 25:6; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:36; Lk 21:34; 1 Th 5:4

Malachi 3:1 (ESV) — 1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 24:50 (ESV) — 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know

Matthew 25:6 (ESV) — 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

Matthew 25:13 (ESV) — 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Mark 13:36 (ESV) — 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

Luke 21:34 (ESV) — 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 (ESV) — 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Surprise at discernment

Mt 25:37–39; Mt 25:44; Lk 5:22; Jn 4:19; Ac 5:5; Ac 5:11

Matthew 25:37–39 (ESV) — 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

Matthew 25:44 (ESV) — 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’

Luke 5:22 (ESV) — 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts?

John 4:19 (ESV) — 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

Acts 5:5 (ESV) — 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Acts 5:11 (ESV) — 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Jesus Christ surprised people

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s moral requirements

Mt 5:20

Matthew 5:20 (ESV) — 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

See also Mt 5:48; Mt 18:21–22

Matthew 5:48 (ESV) — 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV) — 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s humility

Jn 13:6

John 13:6 (ESV) — 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s disregard for Jewish customs

Lk 11:38

Luke 11:38 (ESV) — 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.

See also Mk 7:5; Jn 4:27

Mark 7:5 (ESV) — 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

John 4:27 (ESV) — 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s rejection of religious words and actions

Mt 7:21–23; Lk 13:26–27

Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV) — 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Luke 13:26–27 (ESV) — 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’

Surprise at Jesus Christ bringing back the dead

Lk 7:14–16

Luke 7:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”

See also Mk 5:42

Mark 5:42 (ESV) — 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Surprise at the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus Christ

Lk 24:36–37

Luke 24:36–37 (ESV) — 36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s control of natural elements

Mt 8:27

Matthew 8:27 (ESV) — 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

See also Mt 14:25–26; Mt 21:20; Lk 5:9; Jn 2:8–10; Jn 6:14

Matthew 14:25–26 (ESV) — 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.

Matthew 21:20 (ESV) — 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”

Luke 5:9 (ESV) — 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,

John 2:8–10 (ESV) — 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 6:14 (ESV) — 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

Surprise at the company Jesus Christ kept

Mk 2:16

Mark 2:16 (ESV) — 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

See also Lk 7:39

Luke 7:39 (ESV) — 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s healings

Mk 7:37

Mark 7:37 (ESV) — 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

See also Mt 9:6–8; Mt 9:33; Mt 15:31; Mk 5:42

Matthew 9:6–8 (ESV) — 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 9:33 (ESV) — 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Matthew 15:31 (ESV) — 31 so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Mark 5:42 (ESV) — 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Surprise at the requirements for entry into the kingdom of heaven

Mt 19:13–15; Mt 19:24–25

Matthew 19:13–15 (ESV) — 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Matthew 19:24–25 (ESV) — 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s teaching authority

Mk 1:22

Mark 1:22 (ESV) — 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

See also Mt 7:28–29; Mt 22:33; Mk 6:2–4; Mk 11:18; Jn 7:15

Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Matthew 22:33 (ESV) — 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Mark 6:2–4 (ESV) — 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Mark 11:18 (ESV) — 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

John 7:15 (ESV) — 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”

Surprise at the wisdom of Jesus Christ

Mt 22:22

Matthew 22:22 (ESV) — 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Surprise at the expectations of Jesus Christ

Mt 14:16–17

Matthew 14:16–17 (ESV) — 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”

See also Mt 15:33–36

Matthew 15:33–36 (ESV) — 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Surprise at Jesus Christ’s authority in the spiritual realm

Mk 1:27

Mark 1:27 (ESV) — 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

See also Mk 5:15–17

Mark 5:15–17 (ESV) — 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.

Jesus Christ is surprised by people’s reactions

By the great faith of an unlikely person

Mt 8:10

Matthew 8:10 (ESV) — 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.

By lack of faith among God’s people

Mk 6:4–6

Mark 6:4–6 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

By the dullness of his followers

Mt 15:16

Matthew 15:16 (ESV) — 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?

See also Mt 16:9–11

Matthew 16:9–11 (ESV) — 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

By lack of spiritual insight

Jn 14:9

John 14:9 (ESV) — 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

See also Jn 3:10

John 3:10 (ESV) — 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

Surprises for believers

Surprise at suffering

1 Pe 4:12

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) — 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

See also 1 Jn 3:13

1 John 3:13 (ESV) — 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

Surprise at divine revelation

Lk 24:32

Luke 24:32 (ESV) — 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

See also Ac 10:17; Ac 11:15

Acts 10:17 (ESV) — 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate

Acts 11:15 (ESV) — 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

Surprises caused by believers

Surprising courage

Ac 4:13

Acts 4:13 (ESV) — 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

See also Da 3:13

Daniel 3:13 (ESV) — 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.

Surprise at miracles

Ac 3:11–12; Ac 8:13; Ac 14:11

Acts 3:11–12 (ESV) — 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

Acts 8:13 (ESV) — 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

Acts 14:11 (ESV) — 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

Surprise at the teaching about Jesus Christ

Ac 13:12

Acts 13:12 (ESV) — 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.