King James Version

What Does Luke 5:26 Mean?

Luke 5:26 in the King James Version says “And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. — study this verse from Luke chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Luke 5:26 · KJV


Context

24

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

26

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

27

And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.

28

And he left all, rose up, and followed him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They were all amazed glorified God filled with fear saying We have seen strange things today. All amazed ekstasis overwhelming shock. Glorified edoxazon praised. God ton theon proper object. Filled with fear ephobēthēsan holy reverence awe. Saying legontes verbal response. Seen eidomen eyewitness. Strange things paradoxa paradoxes unexpected wonders. Today sēmeron this very day immediate. Crowd response mixture amazement worship fear. Appropriate reaction divine manifestation. Holy fear not terror but reverence before majesty mystery. God presence evokes awe. Reformed theology distinguishes servile fear (dread punishment) from filial fear (reverence before holiness). Believers experience both fear love confidence reverence. Modern church sometimes loses sense of awe overemphasis casual relationship underemphasis transcendence majesty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Fear of Lord beginning of wisdom Proverbs 1:7. Throughout Scripture divine manifestations produce fear awe. Moses burning bush. Isaiah temple vision. Disciples transfiguration. Appropriate response finite before infinite creature before Creator. Modern evangelical church sometimes loses transcendence emphasizes immanence intimacy. Both necessary. God is near accessible yet holy transcendent majestic. Paradox of Christian faith. Early church maintained reverence awe worship liturgy reflected majesty mystery. Medieval church sometimes overemphasized distance inaccessibility. Reformation recovered both transcendence (God holiness majesty) and immanence (Christ mediation direct access). Healthy Christianity maintains tension.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do divine manifestations produce fear awe even when accompanied by blessing healing?
  2. How should church balance emphasizing God transcendence majesty with His immanence accessibility through Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
καὶ1 of 16

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔκστασις2 of 16

amazed

G1611

a displacement of the mind, i.e., bewilderment, "ecstasy"

ἔλαβεν3 of 16

they were

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἅπαντας4 of 16

all

G537

absolutely all or (singular) every one

καὶ5 of 16

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐδόξαζον6 of 16

they glorified

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

τὸν7 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεόν8 of 16

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ9 of 16

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπλήσθησαν10 of 16

were filled

G4130

to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil (time)

φόβου11 of 16

with fear

G5401

alarm or fright

λέγοντες12 of 16

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι13 of 16
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Εἴδομεν14 of 16

We have seen

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

παράδοξα15 of 16

strange things

G3861

contrary to expectation, i.e., extraordinary ("paradox")

σήμερον16 of 16

to day

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 5:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study