Jesus' Interaction with a Jewish Man in a New Age Trance
The New Testament describes Jesus (also referred to as [email protected]=G2424G [2]) interacting with various individuals, including those experiencing states that might be described as trances or altered consciousness. The Greek word ekstasis, translated as "trance" in the New Testament, refers to a state where an individual is outside the usual order of life, beyond normal consciousness and volition, often due to strong religious impressions [1]. This term appears three times in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 10:10, 11:6, and 22:17, but is not found in the Old Testament in English translations [1].
One notable interaction involves Jesus and a man who had been possessed by demons, as described in Mark 5:15-16. After Jesus cast out the demons, the man was found "clothed and in his right mind" [7]. This transformation from a state of severe spiritual affliction to mental clarity serves as a testimony to Jesus' "saving power" [7]. While not explicitly called a "trance," the man's prior condition could be understood as an altered state of consciousness or being, from which Jesus brought him back to a normal state.
Jesus also demonstrated compassion and healing towards individuals suffering from physical and spiritual ailments. For instance, in Mark 1:41 and Luke 5:13, Jesus touched a leper, an act that was counter-cultural as lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and typically avoided [5, 6]. Jesus' willingness to touch the leper reflected the "new order of the Kingdom of God" and demonstrated that he was not contaminated by disease or evil, but rather brought healing and salvation [6, 9]. This act had both spiritual and physical significance, as leprosy separated individuals from social and religious life [6].
In another instance, Jesus interacted with a man who had been born blind. After Jesus healed him, he pressed the man to understand the miracle and the identity of his healer. The man responded with faith and gave Jesus reverence, acknowledging him as the Son of Man, a title signifying Jesus' identity as both human and Messiah [10].
The New Testament also records instances where Jesus himself experienced profound spiritual moments. For example, during the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Jesus [3]. While not described as a trance, this event highlights Jesus' unique connection to the divine and his role as the mediator of a new covenant [4, 8]. The blood of Jesus, as the sacrifice for sins, speaks of forgiveness, in contrast to the blood of Abel which cried out for vengeance [8].
Jesus' interactions consistently demonstrate his authority over spiritual and physical ailments, his compassion for those suffering, and his ability to bring individuals into a state of wholeness and right-mindedness. His ministry often challenged existing social and religious norms, ushering in a "new and living way" [11].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Trance — (1) In the only passage-- (Numbers 24:4,16)--in which this word occurs in the English of the Old Testament italics show no corresponding word in Hebrew. In the New Testament we meet with the word three times-- (Acts 10:10; 11:6; 22:17) The ekstasis (i.e. trance) is the state in which a man has passed out of the usual order of his life, beyond the usual limits of consciousness and volition, being rapt in causes of this state are to be traced commonly to strong religious impressions. Whatever explanation may be given of it, it is true of many, if not of most, o”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2424G — Man living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #A man from the tribe of Judah living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.1.1; )”
- Luke “Luke 9:30 (BSB) — Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus.”
- Hebrews “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel. -- Hebrews 12:24”
- Mark “Mark 1:41 (BSB) — Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!””
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 5:13: 5:13 Jesus reached out and touched him: Most people feared catching the disease through physical contact, but Jesus showed compassion. Jesus was not contaminated by disease or evil, but brought healing and salvation. • Be healed: Literally Be cleansed. This act had spiritual and physical significance, since leprosy separated Israelites from social contact and religious practice.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 5:15: 5:15-16 The contrast between the former and present condition of the man who had been possessed was a testimony of Jesus’ saving power.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:24: 12:24 Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (8:7-13; 9:11-14; 10:15-18). His sprinkled blood, used as the sacrifice for sins, speaks of forgiveness. • The blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground, demanding vengeance for his murder by Cain (Gen 4:10). By contrast, Jesus’ blood cries out that the price for sins has been paid for those in the new covenant (Heb 10:16-18).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:41: 1:41 Jesus’ willingness to touch a ceremonially unclean leper reflects the new order of the Kingdom of God (1:15; 5:25-34; Luke 7:36-50; see Matt 10:8; 11:5).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 9:35: 9:35-38 Jesus pressed the man who had been blind to understand the miracle and the identity of his healer. Immediately, the man expressed faith and gave Jesus reverence due only to God (9:38; cp. 20:28). 9:35 Son of Man: See 1:51; 3:13, 14; 5:27; 6:27, 53, 62; 8:28. The Greek translates a Hebrew and Aramaic phrase meaning “human being.” People were not completely sure what Jesus meant by it (see 12:34). However, it signifies Jesus’ identity both as human and as the Messiah (cp. Dan 7:13-14).”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:19: By a new and living way,.... Which is Christ, the God-man and Mediator; who is called the "new" way, not as to contrivance, revelation, or use; for it was contrived before the world was, and was revealed to our first parents, immediately after the fall, and was made use of by all the Old Testament saints; but in distinction to the old way of life, by the covenant of works; and because newly revealed with greater clearness and evidence; see Heb 10:8 and because it is always new, it never will be old, nor otherwise, there never will be another way: some render it, "a ”