Troubling Perplexity

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Troubling Perplexity
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Introduction

• Thomas defines ta??ss? tarasso as to stir up,
  to trouble 5015.
• BDAG say it means (1) to cause movement by
  shaking or stirring, shake together, stir up of
  water (2) to cause inward turmoil, stir up,
  disturb, unsettle, throw into confusion, fig.
  ext. of 1.

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Definitions of Tarasso

• Strong/Thayer say it means to agitate, trouble
  (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and
  fro)
• to cause one inward commotion, take away his
  calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity
• to disquiet, make restless
• to stir up
• to trouble
• to render anxious or distressed
• to perplex the mind of one

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Occurrences of Tarasso

• Occurring 18x in the NT, this word is descriptive
  of
• the stirring of the waters
• the perplexity of the wicked
• the confusion of the disciples
• the distresses of our Lord
• admonitions against anxiety

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The Stirring of the Waters

• Of the waters of Bethesda, whose waters were
  stirred up by an angel (John 52-9, esp. vs. 4
  7).

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The Perplexity of the Wicked

• Of King Herod who was troubled at the reported
  birth of the Christ Child (Matthew 21-12, esp.
  vs. 3 cf. Proverbs 281).
• Of the unbelieving Jews who opposed Pauls
  preaching at Thessalonica (Acts 171-9, esp. vs.
  8) and Berea (Acts 1710-15, esp. vs. 13).
• Of the Judaizers who bound circumcision on
  Gentile converts (Acts 1522-29, esp. vs. 24
  Galatians 16-9, esp. vs. 7 510).

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The Confusion of the Disciples

• Of Zacharias at seeing the angel of the Lord
  (Luke 15-20, esp. vs. 12).
• Of the disciples at seeing Jesus walk on the
  water (Matthew 1422-27, esp. vs. 26 Mark
  647-52, esp. vs. 50).
• Of the disciples at seeing the resurrected Christ
  (Luke 2436-43, esp. vs. 38).

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The Distresses of our Lord

• Of Jesus at the weeping of Lazarus family and
  friends (John 1117-45, esp. vs. 33).
• Of Jesus anticipating his crucifixion on the
  cross (John 1220-33, esp. vs. 27).
• Of Jesus predicting his betrayal by Judas
  Iscariot (John 1321-30, esp. vs. 21).

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Admonitions Against Anxiety

• Jesus repeatedly said, Do not let your heart be
  troubled (John 141-6, esp. vs. 1, 25-31, esp.
  vs. 27).
• Peter urged his readers to not fear intimidation
  nor be troubled (1 Peter 313-17, esp. vs. 14).
• Other significant passages contain similar
  thoughts if not the same word (Matthew 624-33
  Philippians 44-9).

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Conclusion

• Let us avoid the perplexity of the wicked.
• Let us learn from the confusion of the disciples.
• Let us appreciate the distresses of our Lord.
• Let us heed the admonitions against anxiety.