Greek word · G5059

τέρας

teras

wonders

Teras: a portent or prodigy, an unusual event that causes astonishment or dread and is read as a message from heaven. Sēmeion: a mark, token or signal, something that identifies or proves.

Appears 16 times in 16 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

τέρας, -ατος, τό

[in LXX chiefly for מוֹפֵת ;]

a wonder, marvel: in NT always pl., τ. κ. σημεῖα, Matthew 24:24, al. (see: σημεῖον)

(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 7:36

Range of meaning

Teras: a portent or prodigy, an unusual event that causes astonishment or dread and is read as a message from heaven. Sēmeion: a mark, token or signal, something that identifies or proves. In the Greek Old Testament the two together translate Hebrew ʾōtōt ûmōftîm ('signs and wonders') and mean God's mighty acts that show his power and confirm his messenger.

Against the English

English 'wonders and signs' is accurate. NLT's 'miraculous signs' is fair, but 'miracle' to modern ears often means 'something that breaks the laws of nature'. The Greek pair is more about what the acts communicate: awe, and proof of who sent the messenger.

How it drifted

'Miracle' in modern English was shaped by Enlightenment debates about natural law (Hume and others). That framework is foreign to the Greek terms, which focus on meaning and attestation.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Exod 7:3 ('my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt'); Deut 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 26:8; and especially Deut 34:11, the closing praise of Moses: 'all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt'. Josephus and Philo also use the pair for the exodus. In Acts, Luke usually puts 'wonders' first: 2:19, 2:22 (Jesus), 2:43 (the apostles), 6:8 (Stephen himself), 7:36 (Moses).

From the study of Acts 2:22

Range of meaning

A portent, omen or prodigy. In classical Greek, an alarming sign from the gods. In the Bible it is almost always paired with 'signs'. It never stands alone in the NT.

Against the English

'Wonders' in nearly all English versions. That is accurate, though it loses some of the ominous, unsettling feel of 'portent'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the LXX, 'signs and wonders' (sēmeia kai terata) is the stock phrase for the Exodus plagues and God's deliverance (Exod 7:3; Deut 4:34; 6:22; 26:8; 34:11). Deut 13:1–3 warns that a false prophet may also produce a 'sign or wonder'. Joel 3:3 LXX (cited at Acts 2:19) promises 'wonders in the sky'.

From the study of Acts 2:19

Range of meaning

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, a teras is a prodigy or portent: a freak of nature or startling event that people read as an omen, often of disaster. Examples are monstrous births, comets, blood-colored rain, and strange lights in the sky. In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) it mostly translates Hebrew môfēt, the marvels God works to show his power, above all the Exodus plagues. Its focus is the shock of the event: it makes people stop and fear.

Against the English

All the major English versions say 'wonders'. Modern English has softened that word ('the wonders of nature', 'a wonderful day'), so it now suggests something pleasant or impressive. Teras is closer to 'portent' or 'omen'. Here the portents are blood, fire, smoke and a darkened sun, which are terrifying.

How it drifted

In older English, 'wonder' kept the sense of something astonishing and even frightening. Over time it has become mostly positive.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Exod 7:3, 'I will multiply my signs and portents (sēmeia kai terata) in Egypt'. Deut 4:34; 6:22; 26:8; Ps 105(104):27. Josephus (Jewish War 6.288–300) lists portents (terata) before Jerusalem fell in AD 70: a sword-shaped star, a light around the altar, chariots seen in the clouds. In the New Testament teras never appears alone. It is always paired with 'signs'.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 24:24 τέρατα wonders

    For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

    Here: A startling, unnatural event that makes people stare. Together with 'signs' it is the Old Testament's set phrase for God's acts in the exodus (Deut 4:34; 6:22; 34:11). The impostors are mimicking a new exodus.

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 13:22 τέρατα wonders

    For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

    Here: A startling event that seems to break the normal order, often taken as an omen. Paired with 'signs', it is the Greek Old Testament's stock phrase for the wonders of the Exodus.

John · 1

  1. John 4:48 τέρατα wonders

    Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”

    Here: Astonishing, out-of-the-ordinary events, omens. This is the only time John uses the word. Coupled with 'signs' it calls up the stock biblical phrase for the plagues and wonders of the Exodus, and sounds a note of spectacle.

Acts · 9

  1. Acts 2:19 τέρατα wonders

    I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

    Here: Startling, unnatural events taken as omens of something about to happen. They are often fearsome rather than pleasant: here blood, fire and smoke. It renders Hebrew môfətîm, the word used for the Exodus plagues.

  2. Acts 2:22 τέρασιν by wonders

    Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

    Here: Startling events that make people stop and stare and that seem to point to something beyond themselves. The word picks up the 'wonders' of Joel just quoted (2:19).

  3. Acts 2:43 τέρατα wonders

    A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.

    Here: Startling events that cannot be explained in ordinary terms and call for an explanation. The word looks back to Joel's 'wonders' quoted in 2:19 and to the 'wonders' of the Exodus.

  4. Acts 4:30 τέρατα wonders

    as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”

    Here: Startling events that people take as omens of divine action. In the Bible this word always comes paired with 'signs'. The pair is the Old Testament phrase for the Exodus miracles.

  5. Acts 5:12 τέρατα wonders

    The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

    Here: Events so out of the ordinary that they stun people who see them. In the Bible the word never appears without 'signs'. Paired that way it recalls God's mighty acts at the Exodus.

  6. Acts 6:8 τέρατα wonders

    Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

    Here: An astonishing, out-of-the-ordinary event that makes people stop and stare. In the Bible it never appears alone but always paired with 'signs', echoing the Exodus language.

  7. Acts 7:36 τέρατα wonders

    He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.

    Here: Startling, awe-inspiring events that make people stop and fear: the plagues, the parted sea, the manna. Always paired in the Bible with 'signs'.

  8. Acts 14:3 τέρατα wonders

    So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

    Here: Events that astonish people, like portents. In the Bible this word always appears alongside 'signs'. The pair recalls God's acts in the Exodus.

  9. Acts 15:12 τέρατα wonders

    The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

    Here: Startling events that provoke awe. In the Bible the word only appears paired with 'signs', echoing the Exodus.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 15:19 τεράτων, wonders,

    by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

    Here: Something extraordinary that makes people stare. In the Bible it never stands on its own, only alongside 'signs', so the wonder always means something.

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:12 τέρασιν in wonders

    The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

    Here: Something extraordinary that stops people in their tracks. In the Greek Old Testament it is always paired with 'signs' and recalls God's acts at the Exodus.

2 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 τέρασιν in wonders

    The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

    Here: A startling, unnatural happening that provokes awe. In the Bible it nearly always comes paired with 'signs'. The word focuses on the astonishment rather than the meaning.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 2:4 τέρασιν by wonders

    and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

    Here: A startling, awe-inspiring event or omen. In the Greek Old Testament 'signs and wonders' is the set phrase for God's acts in the Exodus.

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