[Greek] ἔκστασις (ekstasis), [Latin] stupore, [Latin] invadare, [Latin] adprehendere: a standing out of one’s self, being aside oneself, amazement, astonishment, trance, lose one’s senses, state of being beyond reason and self-control; Mk.5:42, Mk.16:8, Lk.5:26, Act.3:10, Act.10:10, Act.11:5, Act.22:17
The Oracle (Pythia) appears in an ecstatic state
Background Information:
Definition/Assumptions of an ecstatic event: One must first determine whether this event is divinely inspired, demonically inspired, or a neurotic disturbance. The boundary between ecstasy and illusion may be very tenuous. An ecstasy in the narrow sense involves a beneficial infilling by a higher power. Already there have been attempts to artificially induce ecstasy by narcotics, music, dancing, cries, and self-mutilation.
Hellenism: The Greeks make no distinction between ecstasy and illusion. Ecstasy, in its Dionysiac form, is expressed in the swarms of dancing women. In the Delphic cult, there are dancers with torches at night. The Oracle at Delphi, in delivering her prophesy, appears intoxicated by scents arising from a vent in the earth. Some wild ecstasies are linked with journeys to Hades in the cult of Isis. Ecstasy has also gained a footing in philosophy. Mystical ecstasy has a secure place in Plato. In his famous description of poetic inspiration, Plato said, “The poet is an ethereal, easily moved, sacred being, and not able to compose.” The poet was seen more as a creator, rather than a writer.
Old Testament/Judaism: Prophets are repeatedly described as mad. The Hebrew meaning of this word gives a sense of “to speak with frenzy.” Those gifted with supernatural knowledge were viewed more as a seer than an ecstatic. The prophet Deborah was a true ecstatic (Jgs.4:4). On the whole, there is an unmistakable decline in the ecstatic element. Rather than by artificial means, Yahweh is the source of events. As visions were being perceived as deceptions, prophetic proclamations were made by speech.
New Testament: Ecstatic events mostly have been seen in a narrow or nuanced sense. John the Baptist, rather than using artificial means, prays and fasts in the desert. Only in a narrow sense, John the Baptist experiences an ecstatic event prior to his proclamations. The New Testament neither ascribes ecstatic events or miracles to him. This is a mark of its authenticity as a typical prophet of the Word. John the Baptist’s message is full of ethical seriousness with eschatological passion. For the most part, Jesus cannot be considered as an ecstatic. Jesus’ contemporaries may have ignorantly viewed Jesus as being psychically deranged or possessed. Jesus’ relatives think that Jesus was out of his mind. (Mk.3:21). The scribes thought Jesus was possessed (Mk.3:22). Jesus does not fit the classic ecstatic. Jesus does not separate Himself from sinners. Jesus’ unique relationship to God cannot be described in terms of ecstasy.
Scripture:
“The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. They were utterly astounded.” Mk.5:42
They were astounded by Jesus healing the synagogue official’s daughter.
“Then they wen out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment.” Mk.16:8
The disciples were astounded that Jesus had risen from His tomb.
“Peter was hungry and wished to eat, and while they were making preparations, he fell in a trance.” Acts 10:10
Peter fell into a trance and saw the heavens opening up to reveal a sheet.
Stephen, just before his impending death, sees the heavens open up
Conclusion:
Ecstasy, ecstatic, stupor, invade, invasion, apprehensive
It was interesting to learn how ecstatic events are presented in nuanced ways with the major characters and events in the New Testament. Ecstatic events play a complementary part in relaying the Gospel message. In Medieval times, an ecstatic event meant someone was out of place. This was called alienation. The Latin term for this is alienato mentis (out of mind). The French lien means a tie (connection). An alien is someone without a connection. So insanity and separation have a common origin.