📖 Biblical Definition
To marvel is to be struck with wonder — and in Scripture the verb describes a wide range of holy astonishment. Crowds marvel at Christ’s teaching: "And the people were astonished at his doctrine" (Matthew 7:28; 22:33). They marvel at His miracles: "the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak" (15:31). Christ Himself marvels — only twice in the Gospels. At the centurion’s great faith: "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:10). And, sobering, at the unbelief of Nazareth: "And he marvelled because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:6). The Lord can be astonished both ways. Be one He marvels over for the right reason.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
MAR'VEL, v.i.
expand to see more
1. To wonder; to be astonished. 2. To marvel — to feel surprise mingled with admiration.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 8:10 — "When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said... I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
Mark 6:6 — "And he marvelled because of their unbelief."
1 John 3:13 — "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."
Galatians 1:6 — "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you... unto another gospel."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Christ marveled at faith and at unbelief; modern Christianity loses the capacity for both.
expand to see more
The Greek verb thaumazo appears at two of the most striking moments in the Gospels. In Matthew 8 Christ marvels at the centurion's faith; in Mark 6 He marvels at the unbelief of His own town. The same verb. The same Lord. He is delighted by unexpected belief among Gentiles and grieved by expected belief that did not appear among His own neighbors.
Modern Christianity often loses the capacity for both kinds of marvel. We are not surprised when faith shows up — we have grown numb to the strangeness of any soul trusting Christ at all. We are not surprised when unbelief hardens — we have grown cynical about hometowns and family members. Recover both surprises. Marvel at every soul that believes; marvel sober at every soul that resists. Both responses are Christ's.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek thaumazo (G2296).
expand to see more
G2296 — thaumazo — to marvel, wonder
G2295 — thauma — wonder, marvel
Usage
"Christ marveled at faith and at unbelief; modern Christianity loses the capacity for both."
"Marvel at every soul that believes; marvel sober at every soul that resists."
"Both responses are Christ's; both should be ours."