παράδοξος

unexpected, strange, wonderful

Definition

The adjective παράδοξος describes something that is contrary to expectation, astonishing, or marvelous. Its core meaning is 'contrary to opinion' (παρά + δόξα), signifying an event or phenomenon that defies normal human understanding or anticipation. In its single New Testament occurrence in Luke 5:26, it captures the crowd's reaction to Jesus's healing of a paralytic, describing the event as 'strange' or 'wonderful'—a divine act that shattered their ordinary expectations. While not used elsewhere in the NT, this sense aligns with the broader Hellenistic usage for the extraordinary and awe-inspiring.

Biblical Usage

παράδοξος is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 5:26. It appears in a narrative context describing the crowd's collective reaction of amazement after witnessing Jesus forgive sins and heal a paralytic. The word summarizes their awe, translating their experience of seeing something beyond human capability ('We have seen strange things today'). Its usage is purely descriptive of human response to a divine miracle.

Etymology

Derived from παρά (para, 'beside, contrary to') and δόξα (doxa, 'opinion, expectation, glory'). Literally, it means 'contrary to opinion or expectation.' This compound formation directly conveys the idea of something that stands alongside or against what is commonly believed or anticipated. The root δόξα also carries connotations of glory, so in some extra-biblical contexts, παράδοξος could imply something 'beyond glorious.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates a human response to God's in-breaking power. In Luke 5:26, it marks a moment where Jesus's authority over both sin and physical infirmity confronts and overwhelms human categories. Understanding παράδοξος enriches reading by highlighting that genuine encounters with God's work often provoke not just joy, but holy astonishment that challenges our preconceived notions of what is possible. It points to the miraculous nature of Christ's ministry.

In the Greco-Roman world, the term was used for extraordinary events, omens, or marvels that defied rational explanation. It often carried a sense of awe, sometimes mixed with unease, at phenomena that seemed to operate outside the normal order. The crowd's use of the word in Luke aligns with this cultural understanding—they witnessed an event that disrupted their expected reality, prompting a response of wonder.

θαυμάσιος (thaumasios, G2297) — focuses more on the quality of being wonderful or marvelous. τέρας (teras, G5059) — emphasizes the portentous or ominous sign-like nature of a wonder, often used in tandem with 'signs' (σημεῖα).

Word Details

Scripture References