In the context of the Bible, the term "shocking" can be understood as events, actions, or teachings that provoke a strong emotional response due to their unexpected or startling nature. The Bible contains numerous instances that can be considered shocking, both in terms of divine actions and human behavior.

Divine Actions:

1. The Flood: One of the most shocking events in the Bible is the global flood described in Genesis. God, grieved by the wickedness of humanity, decides to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family. Genesis 6:17 states, "And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish."

2. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: The destruction of these cities due to their grievous sins is another shocking event. God rains down sulfur and fire, obliterating the cities. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

3. The Plagues of Egypt: The ten plagues that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites are both miraculous and shocking. Each plague demonstrates God's power and judgment, culminating in the death of the firstborn. Exodus 12:29 describes, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock."

Human Behavior:

1. The Betrayal of Jesus by Judas: Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver is a shocking act of treachery. Despite being one of the twelve disciples, Judas chooses to hand over Jesus to the authorities. Matthew 26:14-16 narrates, "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."

2. The Denial of Peter: Peter's denial of Jesus, despite his earlier protestations of loyalty, is a moment of shocking weakness. When confronted, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times. Luke 22:61-62 records, "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly."

3. The Conversion of Saul: Saul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to the Apostle Paul is a shocking and profound change. On the road to Damascus, Saul encounters the risen Christ, leading to his conversion. Acts 9:3-6 describes, "As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"

Teachings and Parables:

1. The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan is shocking in its cultural context, as it challenges prevailing prejudices. The Samaritan, traditionally despised by Jews, is the one who shows compassion. Luke 10:33-34 states, "But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

2. The Teaching on Loving Enemies: Jesus' command to love one's enemies is a radical and shocking teaching that overturns conventional wisdom. Matthew 5:44 instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

The Bible's shocking elements serve to reveal the nature of God, the depth of human sin, and the transformative power of divine grace. These moments challenge believers to reflect on their own lives and the radical call of the Gospel.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shock.

2. (a.) Causing to shake or tremble, as by a blow; especially, causing to recoil with horror or disgust; extremely offensive or disgusting.

766. aselgeia -- licentiousness, wantonness
... Transliteration: aselgeia Phonetic Spelling: (as-elg'-ia) Short Definition: wantonness,
lewdness Definition: (outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/766.htm - 7k

The Crucifixion.
... not like to go into particulars, for many reasons; but one of those instances which
we read of as happening in this day, and which seems more shocking than the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon x the crucifixion.htm

Sin's Brood.
... At first flush that sounds shocking, as indeed it is. It seems as if this description
can apply only to degraded savages and to earth's darkest corners. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/sins brood.htm

Matt. vi. 24
... But if this be shocking, its taking place in our deeds, our preferring the tyranny
of gold to the fear of God, is much more shocking. "What then? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxi matt vi 24.htm

Ephesians v. 5, 6
... see it reeking with the blood of bullocks and goats; but when thou shalt pass by
the altar of covetousness, thou shalt see it breathing the shocking odor of ...
/.../homily xviii ephesians v 5.htm

Worship
... be horrible in his sight. There is something very shocking in that; at
least to Church people like us. If we were Dissenters, who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon vi worship.htm

The victory of Life (Preached at the Chapel Royal. )
... it. The more often one sees it, the less one grows accustomed to it. Its
very commonness makes it all the more shocking. We may ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon iii the victory of.htm

Pious Little Peter.
... idle about on the Sabbath day, who swear and steal. O shocking! shocking!
O what a blessing to have good parents." On requesting ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/pious little peter.htm

This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... And who was this? (that which we shall not say is too shocking to hear, and that
which we shall say is very dreadful: nevertheless hearken, and tremble.) It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v this is he who.htm

The Knowledge of God
... part another. It sounds shocking, I am sure you will feel, when I put it
into plain English. I wish it to sound shocking. I wish ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxi the knowledge of.htm

The Popes at Avignon; the Ruin of the Templars (Ad 1303-1312)
... He caused all sorts of shocking charges to be brought against the dead pope, and
demanded that he should be condemned as a heretic, and that his body should be ...
/.../chapter xvii the popes at.htm

Shocking (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shocking (3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 5:30 A thing
of wonder and fear has come about in the land; (See NIV). ...
/s/shocking.htm - 7k

Shocked (8 Occurrences)

/s/shocked.htm - 8k

Outrageous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Exceeding the limits of right, reason, or decency;
shocking; atrocious. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OUTRAGE; OUTRAGEOUS. ...
/o/outrageous.htm - 7k

Frightful (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Full of that which causes fright; exciting alarm; impressing terror; shocking;
as, a frightful chasm, or tempest; a frightful appearance. ...
/f/frightful.htm - 7k

Fright (3 Occurrences)
... duration; a sudden alarm. 2. (n.) Anything strange, ugly or shocking,
producing a feeling of alarm or aversion. 3. (n.) To alarm ...
/f/fright.htm - 7k

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)
... For instance, it was considered then, as it is now in the Moslem world, profane
and shocking, nothing short of a desecration, to enter a sanctuary, or walk on ...
/b/barefoot.htm - 13k

Shocks (2 Occurrences)

/s/shocks.htm - 7k

Horrible (12 Occurrences)
... (a.) Exciting, or tending to excite, horror or fear; dreadful; terrible; shocking;
hideous; as, a horrible sight; a horrible story; a horrible murder. Int. ...
/h/horrible.htm - 11k

Horrid (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Rough; rugged; bristling. 2. (a.) Fitted to excite horror; dreadful; hideous;
shocking; hence, very offensive. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/horrid.htm - 7k

Horror (51 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A painful emotion of fear, dread, and abhorrence; a shuddering with terror
and detestation; the feeling inspired by something frightful and shocking. ...
/h/horror.htm - 23k

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