The Greek verb ekthambeō is an intensified form of thambeō (to be amazed) with the prefix ek- adding emphasis. It describes a state of profound astonishment mixed with awe or alarm — beyond ordinary surprise into overwhelming wonder or distress.
Ekthambeō appears exclusively in Mark's Gospel, characteristic of Mark's vivid, immediate style. It describes the crowd's reaction to Jesus casting out a demon (Mark 1:27), Jesus's own anguish in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33 — 'he began to be deeply distressed and troubled'), and the women's response at the empty tomb (Mark 16:5-6). This word captures the visceral human response to the breakthrough of the divine into the ordinary. The Gethsemane use is particularly striking: the Son of God Himself experienced ekthambeō — showing the full weight of His humanity as He faced the cross.