from ἐκ and ἵστημι; to put (stand) out of wits, i.e. astound, or (reflexively) become astounded, insane:--amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves), bewitch, wonder.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐξίστημι (exístēmi, `{{G1839}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek), meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb ἵστημι (hístēmi, `{{G2476}}`), meaning "to stand" or "to cause to stand." Literally, it signifies "to stand out of" or "to remove from a standing position."
In its New Testament usage, exístēmi primarily carries a figurative meaning, denoting a state of mental or emotional displacement. It describes being "put out of one's wits," "to cause one to stand outside of oneself," or to be moved from a normal, rational state of mind. Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Astonishment and Amazement:** This is the most common nuance, describing an overwhelming sense of wonder, awe, or surprise in response to something extraordinary, often supernatural or divine. This astonishment can be so profound as to be disorienting.
* **Bewilderment and Perplexity:** A state of confusion or not knowing how to react or what to make of a situation.
* **Being "Beside Oneself":** This implies a loss of composure, rational thought, or self-control, potentially bordering on madness or extreme emotional agitation.
* **"Bewitch" or "Spellbound":** In a specific context, it can describe the effect of captivating or mesmerizing someone through deception or manipulative means, holding them in a state of suspended judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐξίστημι appears frequently in the New Testament, often in response to the miraculous or the unexpected:
* **Reactions to Jesus's Miracles and Teaching:** The word often describes the intense reaction of crowds and individuals to Jesus's healing, exorcisms, and authoritative teaching.
* In [[Matthew 12:23]], "all the people were amazed" (ἐξίστημι) after Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, leading them to question if He was the Son of David.
* Following the healing of the paralytic, the observers were "all amazed" (ἐξίστημι) and "glorified God" ([[Mark 2:12]]). This indicates a positive, awe-filled astonishment.
* Similarly, the parents of Jairus's daughter were "completely astonished" (ἐξίστημι) when Jesus raised her from the dead ([[Mark 5:42]], [[Luke 8:56]]).
* After Jesus walked on water, the disciples were "utterly astounded" (ἐξίστημι), indicating their profound shock and failure to grasp the significance of the loaves miracle ([[Mark 6:51]]).
* Young Jesus's wisdom in the temple "amazed" (ἐξίστημι) all who heard Him ([[Luke 2:47]]).
* **Accusation of Madness:** A significant use highlights the "beside oneself" nuance.
* In [[Mark 3:21]], when Jesus's family heard of His intense ministry, they went to take Him, saying, "He is out of His mind" (ἐξίστημι). This reflects a perception that His actions were irrational or extreme.
* **Events of the Early Church:** exístēmi also describes reactions to the Holy Spirit's work and apostolic ministry in Acts.
* At Pentecost, the diverse crowd was "utterly amazed" (ἐξίστημι) and "perplexed" by the disciples speaking in various languages ([[Acts 2:7]], [[Acts 2:12]]).
* The "bewitch" sense is prominent in the account of Simon the sorcerer, who "amazed" (ἐξίστημι) the people of Samaria with his magic, holding them spellbound ([[Acts 8:9]], [[Acts 8:11]]). This illustrates a deceptive, manipulative use of the term.
* The Jewish believers who accompanied Peter were "astonished" (ἐξίστημι) when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles in Cornelius's household ([[Acts 10:45]]).
* Rhoda's report of Peter's miraculous release from prison caused the believers to be "astonished" (ἐξίστημι) when they saw him ([[Acts 12:16]]).
* **Pauline Usage:**
* Paul uses the term in a profound defense of his ministry in [[2 Corinthians 5:13]]: "If we are out of our mind (ἐξίστημι), it is for God; if we are in our right mind (σωφρονέω, `{{G4993}}`), it is for you." Here, Paul acknowledges that his fervent devotion and radical actions for God might appear as madness to some, contrasting it with a state of sober self-control.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ἔκστασις (ékstasis, `{{G1611}}`):** This is the direct noun form of ἐξίστημι, meaning "ecstasy" or "trance." It signifies a state of being "out of oneself," often implying a profound spiritual experience, such as Peter's trance in [[Acts 10:10]] where he received a divine vision. This noun underscores the core meaning of mental displacement.
* **θαυμάζω (thaumázō, `{{G2296}}`):** Meaning "to wonder" or "to marvel," thaumázō is a closely related term often translated as "amazed." While both exístēmi and thaumázō describe astonishment, exístēmi often implies a more profound, overwhelming, or disorienting reaction, suggesting a greater degree of mental perturbation than mere wonder.
* **θάμβος (thámbos, `{{G2285}}`):** This noun means "amazement" or "awe," often with an accompanying sense of fear or dread. It captures the awe-inspiring aspect of exístēmi.
* **φοβέω (phobéō, `{{G5399}}`):** "To fear." Sometimes, the astonishment described by exístēmi is coupled with fear, indicating the overwhelming nature of the divine encounter.
* **σωφρονέω (sōphronéō, `{{G4993}}`):** "To be of sound mind, to be self-controlled." Paul's contrast in [[2 Corinthians 5:13]] highlights σωφρονέω as the opposite of ἐξίστημι, emphasizing the latter's connotation of mental aberration or loss of composure.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐξίστημι is multifaceted:
* **Manifestation of Divine Power:** The frequent use of ἐξίστημι in response to Jesus's miracles and the Holy Spirit's work underscores the sheer, overwhelming power of God breaking into the human sphere. These divine acts are not merely impressive; they are profoundly extraordinary, causing observers to be "beside themselves" with wonder and awe, often leading to the glorification of God.
* **Human Limitation and Divine Transcendence:** The state of being "out of one's mind" reflects the human inability to fully comprehend or rationally process divine activity. It highlights the vast chasm between finite human understanding and the infinite, transcendent power and wisdom of God.
* **Authenticity of the Miraculous:** The strong, disorienting reaction described by ἐξίστημι serves as an indicator of the genuine and undeniable nature of the events witnessed. It signifies a profound shock to normal human expectations, affirming the truly supernatural character of the occurrences.
* **The Radical Nature of Discipleship and Prophetic Ministry:** Paul's use in [[2 Corinthians 5:13]] offers a profound theological insight. To be "out of one's mind" for God suggests a radical, uncompromising devotion that may appear irrational or even mad to the world. It implies a willingness to transcend conventional wisdom and reputation for the sake of the Gospel, aligning with the prophetic tradition where God's messengers were sometimes perceived as insane (e.g., [[2 Kings 9:11]]).
* **Warning Against Deception:** The specific use concerning Simon Magus in Acts 8 serves as a crucial theological caution. While ἐξίστημι often describes a legitimate response to divine power, it can also describe the effect of deceptive practices that captivate and mislead. The "bewitchment" by Simon was a false ἐξίστημι, drawing people away from truth and toward human manipulation.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐξίστημι (exístēmi, `{{G1839}}`) is a dynamic and significant term in the New Testament. Etymologically rooted in "standing out of," it primarily conveys a state of profound mental or emotional displacement. This manifests most commonly as overwhelming astonishment, amazement, or bewilderment in response to the extraordinary, particularly the miracles of Jesus and the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. While often denoting a positive, awe-filled reaction leading to the glorification of God (e.g., [[Mark 2:12]]), exístēmi can also signify confusion, perplexity (e.g., [[Acts 2:12]]), or even being "beside oneself" to the point of appearing irrational or insane (e.g., [[Mark 3:21]], [[2 Corinthians 5:13]]). In a unique context, it describes the manipulative captivating effect of Simon the sorcerer's magic (e.g., [[Acts 8:9]]). The related noun ἔκστασις (ékstasis, `{{G1611}}`) further reinforces the concept of being "out of oneself" in a trance or vision. Theologically, ἐξίστημι illuminates the transcendent power of God, the human inability to fully grasp divine activity, the undeniable impact of the miraculous, and the radical, sometimes misunderstood, devotion required for ministry in Christ. It also serves as a warning against the deceptive power of false captivation.
TRV