Does ekplēssō Mean "to Entertain" as Ed Young Claims?
As a follow up to my previous post, I will now address another comment that Ed Young has made as he argues that preachers should be entertainers. (Click here to read my first post titled, "Bored & Blind: Should the Church Be About Entertainment?")
Young claims that communicators, a word he seems to prefer instead of preacher, should be entertainers. He is defending using a Rolls-Royce on stage in the middle of his sermon. Young then argues his case on the basis of the biblical Greek word ekplēssō. (To watch Ed Young's video where he mentions the Greek word click here.)
Does ekplēssō mean “to entertain” as Young claims?
The short answer is no. Let’s dive into the details.
Here is a quick run down of what we'll cover. First, we'll look at the word ekplēssō and it's meaning. Second, we'll look at the context of the verses in which it appears. Lastly, we'll hear from a few scholars.
So, first, let's look at the word and it's meaning. Here is what the word looks like in Greek - ἐκπλήσσω. Now, let’s explore its general meaning. Most lexicons that I referenced define this Greek word with the idea of striking out of one’s senses, or in other words, to strike with amazement, astonishment, fear, or even a sense of being overwhelmed. The ESV translates the word as “astonished”.
Next, let's take a look at the verses where it appears and examine the context. The word ekplēssō appears thirteen times in the New Testament. The following is a list showing all thirteen verses with a brief summary. (I put the word in the Bible verse under examination in bold.)
The crowd was astonished at his authoritative teaching. “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29 ESV).
His hometown was astonished at his wisdom and mighty works. “[A]nd coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works’” (Matt. 13:54 ESV)?
The disciples were astonished at his teaching that it will be difficult for a rich person to get into the kingdom, and they wondered who could be saved. “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved’” (Matt. 19:25 ESV)?
The crowd is astonished at his insight into the Scriptures and theology as he teaches on the resurrection. “And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching” (Matt. 22:33 ESV).
The crowd was astonished at his authoritative teaching. “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22 ESV)
Listeners in the synagogue were astonished at his wisdom and mighty works. “And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands’” (Mark 6:2 ESV)?
The crowd was astonished at his miraculous healings. “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak’” (Mark 7:37 ESV).
The disciples were astonished at his teaching that wealth would make it difficult to enter the kingdom of God. “And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved’” (Mark 10:26 ESV)?
The crowd was astonished at his teaching that his house of prayer was being turned into a den of robbers. “And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching” (Mark 11:18 ESV).
His parents were astonished that he went missing when they were searching for him. “And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress’” (Luke 2:48 ESV).
The crowd was astonished at his authoritative teaching. “[A]nd they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority” (Luke 4:32 ESV).
The crowd was astonished at the majesty of God as they marveled at what Jesus did. “And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples . . .” (Luke 9:43 ESV).
The proconsul was astonished at the teaching of the Lord through the apostle Paul after he pronounced blindness on Elymas the magician. “Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:12 ESV).
Finally, let's hear from a few scholars—Craig Blomberg and R.C. Sproul.
One of the frequent occurrences above is the astonishment the crowds had at the authoritative teaching of Jesus compared to the scribes. Scholar Craig L. Blomberg notes that the teaching of the scribes contained references from Jewish teachers and tradition. Jesus, being divine, quoted Scripture and taught it authoritatively without citing human authorities or tradition.[1]
R.C. Sproul adds, “Even the word amazement (let alone the word astonishment) does not do full justice to the import of the term in the text. The idea is that not only were they surprised, they were terrified, because they had never heard anyone talk like Jesus. He exhibited an authority on a whole new plane.”[2]
So, there you have it. The word more likely carries the sense of astonishment or amazement, perhaps even with fear at times, rather than entertainment. The astonishment typically comes because of the wisdom, authority, miracles, and/or healings of Jesus (and, in the case of Acts 13:12, Paul)—not due to entertainment.
End Notes:
[1] Craig L. Blomberg, The New American Commentary: Matthew, Vol. 22 (Nashville, TN: B&H, 1992), 134-135.
[2] R.C. Sproul, St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary: Mark (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2011), 24.
