Limited to Heb. 10:33, the Greek verb “theatrizomai” meant “make a spectacle of” or “expose on stage.” Christians have sometimes been ridiculed and humiliated to the point where it looked like their suffering and mockery were an on-stage performance.
The Greek verb “θεάομαι”
Found about twenty times in the New Testament and first used in Mt. 6:1, the Greek verb “theaomai” meant “contemplate,” “look at,” “see,” “behold,” and “visit.” Mainly used in Matthew-Acts, but also found in Rom. 15:24; 1 Jn. 1:1; 4:12, 14, this verb “always signifies the act of seeing with the eyes” (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 2:136), but it “is not a perfect synonym for the other vbs. of seeing” (ibid). This term describes seeing things like people, processes, activities, Jesus, guests, a reed and a tomb, but it also denotes what is perceived by “unusual perception (e.g., Christ, God, Spirit, glory, resurrection, discipleship” (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 1:136).
The Greek noun “θεά”
Limited to Acts 19:27, 35 (some manuscripts), 37, the Greek noun “thea” meant “goddess.” This term is not found in the Septuagint, but it is often found in Classical Greek.
The Greek adjective “θαυμαστός”
Limited to Mt. 21:42; Mk. 12:11; Jn. 9:30; 2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 15:1, 3, the Greek adjective “thaumastos” meant “marvelous,” “wonderful,” “remarkable.” This word is applied to God’s nature (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 15:3), and God’s actions (Mt. 21:42; Mk. 12:11; Jn. 9:30).
The Greek verb “θαυμάζω”
Aside from Gal. 1:6; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:13; Jude 16, the Greek verb “thaumazo” is found with a moderate degree of frequency in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Revelation. In several of the near fifty places this term is used in the New Testament, it describes the human reaction to the supernatural power of Jesus.
PDF sermon outline on this word.
The Greek adjective “θαυμάσιος”
Limited to Mt. 21:15, the Greek adjective “thaumasios” meant “remarkable,” “marvelous,” “wonderful.” This is one of the words which describes Jesus’ miracles.
The Greek verb “θαυμάζω”
Found most often in Matthew-Acts, but also used in Gal. 1:6; 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:13; Rev. 13:3; 17:6-8, the Greek verb “thaumazo” meant “amazed,” “to wonder,” “be astonished.” The nearly fifty occurrences of this New Testament verb most often describe the human reaction to Jesus’ miracles (see Mt. 8:27; 9:33; 15:31; Mk. 5:20; Lk. 8:25; Jn. 7:21).
The Greek noun “θαῦμα”
Limited to 2 Cor. 11:14; Rev. 17:6, the Greek noun “thauma” meant “marvel” or “a wonder.” John “was greatly astonished” (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 2:623) at the woman named “Babylon.” In 2 Cor. 11:14, the meaning is “it is no wonder” (ibid).
The Greek noun “θάρσος”
Limited to Acts 28:15, the Greek noun “tharsos” meant “confidence,” “boldness,” “courage.” The translation “take courage” is an appropriate rendering for Acts 28:15.
The Greek verb “θαρσέω”
Limited to Mt. 9:2, 22; 14:27; Mk. 6:50; 10:49; Lk. 8:48 (some manuscripts); Jn. 16:33; Acts 23:11, the Greek verb “tharseo,” which is always used in the imperative mood, meant confident,” “to be cheerful,” “unafraid.” This term is often associated with miracles. In Jn. 16:33, this verb exhorted the disciples to never give up; they were to be bold and have courage because Jesus had “overcome the world.” Compare Luke’s use of this term in Acts 23:11.