Admiration
What is Biblical Admiration?
In modern English, "admiration" often means respect or warm approval. However, the biblical concept, rooted in the Greek words thauma (wonder, marvel) and thaumazō (to wonder, marvel, be amazed), carries a stronger sense of awe and astonishment in the face of the divine and supernatural. It is less about personal esteem and more about being struck with wonder at God's power, character, and actions. This wonder can be positive, leading to worship, or negative, leading to confusion or fear, depending on the context and the heart of the observer.
Admiration in the Life and Ministry of Jesus
The Gospels frequently depict crowds and individuals filled with wonder at Jesus's words and deeds. This admiration was a direct response to his authority and the inbreaking of God's kingdom. When Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were "filled with awe" (Mark 4:41). After he healed a paralytic, the crowd was "filled with awe and glorified God" (Matthew 9:8). His teaching also provoked wonder, as people were astonished at his authority, unlike the scribes (Matthew 7:28-29). This repeated reaction underscores that Jesus's ministry was inherently miraculous and revelatory, demanding a response of awestruck wonder that often, though not always, led to faith.
From Human Wonder to Divine Glory
The New Testament also redirects admiration away from human figures and toward God's ultimate plan. Jude warns against "showing favoritism" (Jude 1:16, NIV), which the KJV phrased as "having men's persons in admiration." This cautions against misplaced wonder directed at influential people rather than God. The focus shifts eschatologically to the return of Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 1:10, the glory of Christ at his return is so magnificent that he will be "marveled at" (NIV) by all who believe. The ultimate object of holy admiration is not a human achievement or personality, but the glorified Son of God.
The Climax of Wonder in Revelation
The Book of Revelation presents the final and most intense scenes of biblical admiration, often mixed with terror. When the apostle John sees the vision of the prostitute Babylon, he reports, "I was greatly astonished" (Revelation 17:6, NIV). The angel then reveals the mystery, shifting John's wonder from the symbol to its meaning and ultimately to God's judgment. The book culminates in the worship of heaven, where every creature expresses ultimate awe toward God and the Lamb (Revelation 5:11-14). Here, admiration is fully purified into eternal worship.
The Proper Response to God's Wonders
Biblical admiration is not a passive feeling but a catalyst for action. True wonder at God's works should lead to glorifying God (Matthew 9:8), seeking understanding (as with the angel explaining visions to John), and ultimately to faith and worship. It is the appropriate human reaction when confronted with the reality of God's power and holiness. When admiration stops at mere astonishment without moving toward faith, repentance, or worship, it falls short, as seen in some who witnessed Jesus's miracles yet did not follow him.
Biblical Context
The concept appears throughout the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels and Revelation. In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), it describes the common reaction to Jesus's miracles (healings, exorcisms, nature miracles) and authoritative teaching. In the Epistles, it is used eschatologically (2 Thessalonians) and ethically (Jude). In Revelation, it describes John's reaction to prophetic visions. The Greek verb thaumazō appears over 40 times, making it a significant marker of human response to divine intervention.
Theological Significance
Admiration teaches that an authentic encounter with God's revealed power and truth should provoke awe. It highlights the supernatural nature of Christ's ministry and the kingdom of God. Theologically, it corrects misplaced wonder, directing it away from human achievement (Jude 1:16) and toward God's glory in Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:10). It represents a bridge between human emotion and divine revelation, showing that proper understanding of God begins with a sense of holy astonishment at who he is and what he has done.
Historical Background
In the Greco-Roman world, the language of wonder (thauma) was used in religious and philosophical contexts to describe reactions to portents, oracles, and displays of power. The New Testament authors co-opt this common term but fill it with specific meaning related to the God of Israel acting through Jesus Christ. Unlike pagan wonder, which could be superstitious or fearful, biblical admiration in response to Jesus often leads to a revelation of his identity and mission. The reaction of crowds to Jesus's miracles aligns with known Jewish expectations for signs accompanying the Messiah or prophetic figures.