Luke 5:26

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

And {G2532} they were {G2983} all {G537} amazed {G1611}, and {G2532} they glorified {G1392} God {G2316}, and {G2532} were filled {G4130} with fear {G5401}, saying {G3004},{G3754} We have seen {G1492} strange things {G3861} to day {G4594}.

Amazement seized them all, and they made a b'rakhah to God; they were awestruck, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today."

Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day.

Luke 5:26 (KJV) captures the profound reaction of the crowd and religious leaders immediately following Jesus' miraculous healing of a paralytic man in Capernaum. This verse highlights the overwhelming impact of Christ's divine power and authority on those who witnessed it.

Context

This powerful reaction is the culmination of a significant event. Jesus had been teaching in a house packed with people, including Pharisees and doctors of the law from all over Galilee and Judea (Luke 5:17). A paralytic man was brought to Him by four friends, who, unable to get through the crowd, famously lowered him through the roof. Jesus, seeing their faith, first declared the man's sins forgiven, a claim that provoked controversy among the scribes and Pharisees present, who questioned His authority (see Luke 5:21). To demonstrate His divine authority to forgive sins – a power only God was believed to possess – Jesus then commanded the man to rise and walk, which the man immediately did (Luke 5:24). The crowd's response in verse 26 is to this undeniable proof of both spiritual and physical healing.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority of Jesus: The crowd witnessed undeniable proof of Jesus' power, not only over physical ailments but, more significantly, over sin itself. This miracle clearly demonstrated His unique status as the Son of God.
  • Awe and Wonder: Their "amazement" reflects the extraordinary nature of the event, something beyond human capability or expectation. It was a moment of profound revelation.
  • Glorifying God: The natural and fitting response to witnessing such a divine act was to praise and honor God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of this power and the one working through Jesus.
  • Reverential Fear: The "fear" mentioned is not terror but a profound sense of awe and reverence before God's majesty and power. It's a recognition of holiness and divine presence, inspiring humble submission.
  • Witnessing the Unprecedented: Their exclamation, "We have seen strange things to day," underscores that this was unlike anything they had ever encountered, marking it as a truly unique and significant moment in salvation history.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "strange things" translates the Greek word paradoxa (παράδοξα), from which we derive our English word "paradox." It signifies something "contrary to expectation," "unlooked for," or truly "wonderful" and "extraordinary." It emphasizes that what they had witnessed was not just unusual, but utterly unprecedented and divinely powerful, challenging their existing understanding of God's work and human limitations. This term highlights the uniqueness of Jesus' ministry and the miracles He performed.

Related Scriptures

  • This event parallels accounts in Matthew 9:8 and Mark 2:12, both of which also highlight the crowd's amazement and glorifying God.
  • The concept of reverential fear of God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often accompanying divine encounters or mighty acts, as seen in Exodus 14:31 after the Red Sea crossing or Acts 2:43 regarding the early church's awe.
  • The crowd's reaction of glorifying God is a fitting response to His mighty works (Psalm 115:1), acknowledging that all praise belongs to Him.

Practical Application

Luke 5:26 reminds us to recognize and acknowledge God's power and authority in our lives and in the world. When we witness God's hand at work, whether through miraculous intervention or through everyday blessings, our response should be one of awe, wonder, and glorifying Him. It challenges us to consider if we truly grasp the profound implications of Christ's divine nature and authority, particularly His power to forgive sins and bring spiritual and physical healing. This verse encourages a posture of humble reverence before the God who does "strange things" – things beyond our comprehension, yet always for His glory and our good, inviting us to praise His name.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:8

    But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

  • Luke 7:16

    And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

  • Acts 5:11

    And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

  • Acts 5:13

    And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

  • Matthew 12:23

    And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

  • Hosea 3:5

    Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

  • Matthew 28:8

    And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

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