Astonishment and surprise are frequent responses to the actions and words of God and Jesus Christ.
Amazement at God's actions
His marvellous deeds
Psalm 98:1 See also Joshua 3:5 The LORD promises to do amazing things when his people cross the Jordan; Judges 13:19; 1 Chronicles 16:24; Psalm 71:17, Psalm 72:18, Psalm 86:10, Psalm 96:3, Psalm 118:23; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 3:24 Nebuchadnezzar is amazed at seeing four men in the furnace; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:3
A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.
His creation
His judgment
Isaiah 29:9; Habakkuk 1:5; John 5:28
Throughout his life Jesus Christ inspired amazement
Matthew 27:14 parallel Mark 15:5; Luke 2:33, Luke 2:47, Luke 4:22
Amazement at Jesus Christ's teaching
At his inherent authority
Matthew 7:28–29 See also Matthew 13:54 parallel Mark 6:2; Mark 1:22 parallel Luke 4:32; Mark 1:27 parallel Luke 4:36; John 7:15
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
In debate with the Pharisees
Matthew 22:22 parallels Mark 12:17, Luke 20:26
In theological debate with the Sadducees
After talking with the rich young man
Matthew 19:25 parallel Mark 10:26; Mark 10:24
After the cleansing of the temple
Mark 11:18 parallel Luke 19:47 Here the crowds' amazement causes the chief priests and teachers of the law to fear Jesus Christ.
When the chief priests and scribes heard this, they looked for a way to kill Him. For they were afraid of Him, because the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
Amazement at Jesus Christ's revelation of himself
See also Luke 24:41; John 5:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:10
Amazement at Jesus Christ's miracles
Miracles of healing
Matthew 15:31 See also Matthew 9:8 parallels Mark 2:12, Luke 5:26 at the healing of the paralytic; Mark 5:42 parallel Luke 8:56 at the healing of Jairus' daughter; Acts 3:10–11 at the healing of the crippled beggar
The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
The casting out of demons
Mark 1:27 Matthew 9:33; Luke 11:14; Mark 5:20 Legion; Luke 9:43 a boy with an evil spirit
All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”
Miracles of nature
Matthew 8:27 parallel Luke 8:25 See also Matthew 21:20 the withered fig-tree; Mark 6:51 Jesus Christ walking on the water; Luke 5:9 the miraculous haul of fish
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”
Amazement at the coming of the Holy Spirit and subsequent events
Acts 2:12 See also Acts 2:7, Acts 8:13 Simon's amazement at the miracles performed by Philip; Acts 9:21 amazement at the change in Saul; Acts 10:45 astonishment at the Holy Spirit being poured out on the Gentiles; Acts 12:16 amazement at Peter's release from prison; Acts 13:12
Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Jesus Christ himself experienced amazement
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.