Biblical Meaning of Awe Toward Jesus

The concept of "awe" in biblical texts often intersects with "fear," but it is distinct from mere terror. In the Old Testament, "the fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir’at Yahweh) is frequently used to describe true piety ^[1]. This fear is not a "slavish dread" but rather a "filial reverence," combined with love and hope ^[1]. For instance, God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Genesis 31:42, 53), indicating that Isaac revered God ^[1].

The Hebrew word יָרֵא (yare), often translated as "fear," carries a range of meanings including "to fear, revere, be afraid," and "to stand in awe of, be awed" ^[4]. When used in the Niphal stem, it can mean "to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared," or "to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe," and "to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe" ^[4]. For example, Job 37:22 speaks of God having "fearful honour" ^[3]. This reverential fear is seen in Jacob's reaction after his dream at Bethel, where he exclaimed, "How dreadful is this place! This is none other than God’s house, and this is the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:17). Jacob's response is interpreted as "reverential fear and awe in the Lord’s presence" ^[10]. Similarly, Deuteronomy 7:21 describes God as "awesome" (literally, "one to be feared"), explaining that this fear is not terror from a bully, but "the reverential fear of a loving God whose nature is so majestic that it inspires a kind of dread" ^[5].

In the New Testament, a holy fear is also enjoined to prevent carelessness in religion and to encourage penitence (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; Philippians 2:12; Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 12:28, 29) ^[1]. The Greek term φόβος (phobos), often translated as "fear," can also convey this sense of awe. When Zechariah saw an angel, he was "shaken and overwhelmed with fear," a common reaction to experiencing God's presence or seeing an angel (Judges 6:22-23; 13:22; Isaiah 6:5) ^[7]. This "fear" is understood as "religious awe," as seen in the impression that God's hand was specially involved in events (Luke 1:65) ^[9].

The concept of awe also relates to the recognition of God's majesty and judgment. In Romans 11:20, "fear" is interpreted as "a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment" ^[8]. This is consistent with the Old Testament understanding that "the fear of Jehovah is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13) ^[2]. Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, connects the "fear of the Lord" with wisdom, stating that it is "uniformly attributed to all the saints" ^[13].

Awe toward Jesus specifically is evident in the disciples' reactions to his actions and teachings. The disciples' awe and the people's fear are noted as casting a "dark shadow" over the events leading to Jesus's crucifixion, particularly given the hostility of the Jerusalem leaders ^[6]. This awe was not merely fear of danger, but a recognition of Jesus's unique knowledge and divine will ^[6]. The worship "in the name of Jesus" (Philippians 2:10) is understood as worshipping Jesus himself or God in Christ ^[11]. The early church's response to Jesus's ascension, as described by Augustine, was one of "jubilation," an "admiration of joy which cannot be expressed in words," indicating a profound awe ^[12].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
Proverbs “Proverbs 8:13 (YLT) — The fear of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, And a froward mouth, I have hated.”
Job “Job 37:22 (YLT) — From the golden north it cometh, Beside God <FI>is<Fi> fearful honour.”
STEPBible TBESG “[H3372] H3372H = a Meaning of (H3372G) — : awesome(god) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 7:21: 7:21 awesome (literally one to be feared): This fear is not the terror induced by a bully who strikes without reason or plan, but the reverential fear of a loving God whose nature is so majestic that it inspires a kind of dread.”
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:32: 10:32-34 The disciples’ awe and the people’s fear cast a dark shadow over what lay ahead, given the hostility of the Jerusalem leaders toward Jesus (see 3:22-30; 7:1-13). Taking the disciples aside again, Jesus described the coming events in the greatest detail yet (see also 8:31; 9:31). He knew what was about to happen; what awaited him in Jerusalem was neither a tragedy nor fate, but God’s will (see 8:31-33; Acts 4:27-28). As the Son of God, Jesus had unique knowledge of his upcoming unique death as the Savior of the world.”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:12: 1:12-13 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear: Fear and awe are common reactions when someone sees an angel or experiences the presence of God (Judg 6:22-23; 13:22; Isa 6:5). The person is often reassured by a saying such as Don’t be afraid. • you are to name him John: John means “the Lord has shown favor.” This favor came to Elizabeth and Zechariah through their son and to the Israelite nation through the Messiah, whose coming John would announce.”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 11:20: 11:20 fear what could happen: In Scripture, fear often means a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment (see 2 Cor 5:11; 7:1, 11, 15; Phil 2:12; Col 3:22).”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 1:65: fear--religious awe; under the impression that God's hand was specially in these events (compare Luk 5:26; Luk 7:16; Luk 8:37).”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 28:16: 28:16-22 The second half of the passage gives Jacob’s response to the revelation. He felt reverential fear and awe in the Lord’s presence, and his acts of devotion became archetypes of Israel’s worship. When God graciously visits his people and promises to be with them and make them a blessing to the world, his people respond in faith with reverential fear, worship, offerings, and vows. They preserve their faith in memory for future worshipers.”
Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:10: at the name--rather as Greek, "in the name." bow--rather, "bend," in token of worship. Referring to Isa 45:23; quoted also in Rom 14:11. To worship "in the name of Jesus," is to worship Jesus Himself (compare Phi 2:11; Pro 18:10), or God in Christ (Joh 16:23; Eph 3:14). Compare "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (that is, whosoever shall call on the Lord in His revealed character) shall be saved" (Rom 10:13; Co1 1:2); "all that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (compare Ti2 2:22); "call on the Lord"; Act 7:59, "calling up”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XLVII.[5] (part 5): whither, save where we know? Whither the Jews followed Him not, even with their eyes. For exalted on the Cross they mocked Him, ascending into Heaven they did not ,see Him. "God hath gone up with jubilation. What is jubilation, but admiration of joy which cannot be expressed in words? As the disciples in joy admired, seeing Him go into Heaven, whom they had mourned dead; truly for the joy, words sufficed not: remained to jubilate what none could express. There was also the voice of the trumpet, the voice of Angels. For i”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: to save us we shall be delivered; and here we begin again to breathe. But, ascending to a loftier height, let us seek the city of God, let us seek the temple, let us seek our home, let us seek our spouse. I have not forgotten myself when, with fear and reverence, I say, We are,—are in the heart of God. We are, by his dignifying, not by our own dignity.” 26. Moreover, the fear of the Lord, which is uniformly attributed to all the saints, and which, in one passage, is called “the beginning of wisdom,” in another wisdom itself, althou”

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