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. Passages gathered in the Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin H. Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
And I heard the voice of a man calling from between the banks of the Ulai: "Gabriel, explain the vision to this man." As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision concerns the time of the end."
The angel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. " Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, "What is it, Lord?" The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, and when the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers had gathered around, they saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men. Not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, "Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life." At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin —the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they returned with the report: "We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening.
When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, "Peter is standing at the gate!" "You are out of your mind," they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded. Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. "Send word to James and to the brothers," he said, and he left for another place. At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
The islanders were expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. So the angel told her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!" "How can this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?"
"How can I be sure of this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years."
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, "Truly this was the Son of God."
And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. Astounded and amazed, they asked, "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.
All who heard him were astounded and asked, "Isn't this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"
When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect."
"Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming," says the LORD of Hosts.
The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate.
The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?'
And they too will reply, '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?'
Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!"
Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, "Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
"Where is your faith?" He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!"
During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said, and cried out in fear.
but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."
When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"
"Now draw some out," He said, "and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!"
When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, "Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!"
The people were utterly astonished and said, "He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!"
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!"
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.
Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded.
Her parents were astounded, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.
Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them. But Jesus called the children to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They were even more astonished and said to one another, "Who then can be saved?"
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
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.
When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished. "Where did this man get these ideas?" they asked. "What is this wisdom He has been given? And how can He perform such miracles? Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren't His sisters here with us as well?" And they took offense at Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor."
When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place. Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. "Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?" they asked.
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.
The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man attain such learning without having studied?"
Then Jesus told them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." And they marveled at Him.
And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
"They do not need to go away," Jesus replied. "You give them something to eat." "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
But Jesus told them, "You give them something to eat." They asked Him, "Should we go out and spend two hundred denarii to give all of them bread to eat?"
But Jesus told them, "You give them something to eat." "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered, "unless we go and buy food for all these people."
Philip answered, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece." One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, "Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?"
The disciples replied, "Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?" "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish." And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
His disciples replied, "Where in this desolate place could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people?" "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied. And He instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And they distributed them to the crowd.
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!"
All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, "What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!"
When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs. And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region.
Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.
So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Meanwhile, those who had seen it reported how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, because great fear had taken hold of them. So He got into the boat and started back.
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands."
"Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat."
Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, "What do You want from her?" or "Why are You talking with her?"
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!'
Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' And he will answer, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.'
Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. "Young man," He said, "I tell you, get up!" And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. "A great prophet has appeared among us!" they said. "God has visited His people!"
While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.
When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."
Then Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor." So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.
And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own household is a prophet without honor." And He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief.
"Are you still so dull?" He asked. "Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him,
Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, "Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? 'Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?' And do you not remember?
Jesus replied, "Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house and approached the gate.
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as He had fallen upon us at the beginning.
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon's Colonnade. And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: "The gods have come down to us in human form!"
When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.