Greek word · G1611

ἔκστασις

ekstasis

amazement

Literally 'a standing outside' (from ek, 'out', and histēmi, 'stand'), meaning displacement from one's normal state.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἔκ-στασις, -εως, ἡ

(ἐξίστημι) [in LXX: Genesis 27:33, 1 Samuel 14:15, Ezekiel 26:16, al. (חֲרָדָה); 2 Chronicles 14:14 17:10 20:29 (פַּחַד), al. ;]

1. a displacement (Arist.).

2. An abnormal condition of the mind, in which the subject passes out of his usual self-control (Hippocr.); in NT (Kennedy, Sources, 121 f.);

(a) a trance: Acts 10:10 11:5 22:17;

(b) amazement: Mark 5:42 16:8, Luke 5:26, Acts 3:19.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 11:5

Range of meaning

Literally 'a standing outside' (from ek, 'out', and histēmi, 'stand'), meaning displacement from one's normal state. In the biblical period it covers: (1) astonishment or bewilderment that overwhelms a person ('they were beside themselves with amazement'), (2) terror or confusion, and (3) a trance, an altered state in which ordinary awareness is suspended and a person receives revelation.

Against the English

Most versions have 'trance', which is the right sense here. The English derivative 'ecstasy' now means intense joy (or a drug), which is not this. Elsewhere Luke uses the same noun for amazement: Luke 5:26 and Acts 3:10.

How it drifted

English 'ecstasy' moved from 'being beside oneself' (including in religious rapture) to 'extreme delight' in the early modern period. 'Trance' in modern English often suggests hypnosis or a state a person induces in themselves through technique.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) uses ekstasis for the 'deep sleep' God brings on Adam (Gen 2:21) and on Abram during the covenant vision (Gen 15:12), and for Isaac's violent trembling (Gen 27:33). Philo of Alexandria (Who Is the Heir 249–266) lists kinds of ekstasis and ranks highest the prophetic kind, in which the human mind withdraws and the divine Spirit takes its place. In Acts the trance sense appears at 10:10, 11:5 and 22:17, the last of these when Paul is praying in the Temple.

From the study of Acts 22:17

Range of meaning

Literally "a standing out" or "displacement", from ek (out) and histēmi (stand/set). In Greek of the period it covers: (1) being thrown out of one's normal state by shock, terror or amazement ("beside oneself"); (2) a deep, God-sent unconsciousness; (3) a visionary state in which ordinary perception is suspended and the person receives revelation. BDAG gives two main senses: "astonishment" and "trance".

Against the English

Nearly all modern versions say "trance". The KJV says "I was in a trance", which is accurate but leaves out the sense of entering it. YLT's "I came into a trance" is closest to the Greek construction. The Vulgate has in stupore mentis, "in a stupor/astonishment of mind", which leans toward the amazement side of the word.

How it drifted

The English cognate "ecstasy" now means intense pleasure, euphoria, or a recreational drug, none of which is in view. "Trance" now suggests hypnotism, séances, or a blank, mindless state. In Luke's usage the person is fully engaged: Paul sees, listens, argues back (vv. 19–20) and receives a commission.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament (LXX): God casts an ekstasis on Adam before forming the woman (Gen 2:21, translating Hebrew tardemah, "deep sleep"). An ekstasis falls on Abram at the covenant ceremony, followed by divine speech (Gen 15:12). Isaac trembles "with a very great ekstasis" when he learns he has been deceived (Gen 27:33). New Testament: amazement at Jesus' miracles (Mark 5:42; Luke 5:26) and at the healing of the lame man (Acts 3:10); the women's terror at the tomb (Mark 16:8); a visionary trance for Peter (Acts 10:10; 11:5) and Paul (here). Philo (Who Is the Heir 249–266) lists four kinds of ekstasis, from madness to the prophetic kind, in which the human mind "departs" and the divine Spirit takes over. That shows Greek-speaking Jews of the day had a ready category for revelatory ecstasy.

Where it appears

Mark · 2

  1. Mark 5:42 ἐκστάσει with amazement

    Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded.

  2. Mark 16:8 ἔκστασις. amazement.

    So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 5:26 ἔκστασις amazement

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

Acts · 4

  1. Acts 3:10 ἐκστάσεως amazement

    they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

  2. Acts 10:10 ἔκστασις, a trance,

    He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

  3. Acts 11:5 ἐκστάσει a trance

    “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came right down to me.

    Here: Literally a 'standing outside' of one's normal state. Here it means a God-given altered state in which ordinary perception is set aside so that a vision can be received. It is not a technique Peter used, and it has nothing to do with joyful 'ecstasy'.

  4. Acts 22:17 ἐκστάσει a trance

    Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance

    Here: A state in which normal awareness is set aside so that God can show something directly. In v. 18 Paul "sees" and hears the Lord. Luke uses the same word for Peter's rooftop vision, which also came during prayer (Acts 10:10; 11:5).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.