διστάζω

From the study of Matthew 14:31

Range of meaning

From dis ("twice" or "two ways"): to hesitate, waver, be uncertain, hold back between two options. In classical writers such as Plato and Aristotle it is used for being undecided or hesitating to act. BDAG gives "to be uncertain, doubt, waver" and Louw–Nida puts it among words for having doubts or being of two minds.

Against the English

"Doubt" (KJV, BSB, ESV, NIV, NASB, WEB) is a fair gloss, but modern English "doubt" leans toward thinking something is untrue: questioning a claim, skepticism, an intellectual problem. YLT's "waver" is closer to the picture. NLT adds an object ("doubt me") that is not in the Greek. That narrows the sense toward doubting a person and drops the image of being divided.

How it drifted

Since the Enlightenment, "doubt" in English has come to mean mainly intellectual skepticism, questioning whether a belief is true. The Greek word is about divided, hesitant trust when it is time to act.

Used elsewhere in the period

It occurs only twice in the New Testament, both in Matthew: here and in 28:17, where the eleven see the risen Jesus and "worshipped, but some wavered" (hoi de edistasan). It is a classical word with little use elsewhere in the Greek Bible. Jesus' teaching in 21:21 uses a related idea (diakrinomai, "be divided, waver").

From the study of Matthew 28:17

Range of meaning

To be uncertain, to hesitate, to waver, to be divided in mind (BDAG: 'to be uncertain, have second thoughts about a matter, doubt, waver'). The word is related to dis, 'twice', and pictures being pulled two ways. It describes hesitation about how to act or respond more than intellectual rejection of a claim.

Against the English

The English 'doubt' today usually means doubting that a claim is true, as in 'I doubt the resurrection happened.' That is too narrow, and it points in the wrong direction. YLT's 'waver' and NASB's 'were doubtful' (or 'hesitated', in some renderings) come closer to the posture the Greek describes.

How it drifted

Since the Enlightenment, 'doubt' in English has come to mean mostly sceptical disbelief about facts. Older English 'doubt' also covered hesitation, fear and perplexity, which is nearer the Greek.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it appears only in Matt 14:31 and 28:17. In 14:31 Jesus says to sinking Peter, 'You of little faith, why did you waver?' Peter had already stepped out onto the water at Jesus' word, so his problem was faltering under pressure, not disbelief that Jesus was there. Early Christian writers pair the word with dipsychos, 'double-souled' or 'two-minded'. 1 Clement 11:2 speaks of 'the double-minded and those who waver concerning the power of God'. The Shepherd of Hermas uses it repeatedly for divided, hesitant believers. Classical writers use it for hesitating between courses of action.