Lexical Summary ochlos: Crowd, multitude, throng Original Word: ὄχλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance multitude, crowdFrom a derivative of echo (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot -- company, multitude, number (of people), people, press. see GREEK echo HELPS Word-studies 3793 ó [Of the 174 NT examples of 3793 (óxlos),118 are singular and 56 are plural. Of the 118, "63 are in an oblique case, 55 in nominative singular. Of these 55 there are 44 with singular verb and 11 with plural verb. When o NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a crowd, multitude, the common people NASB Translation crowd (87), crowds (47), gathering (1), many (1), mob (1), multitude (3), multitudes (1), number of people (1), numbers (2), people (27), riot* (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3793: ὄχλοςὄχλος, ὄχλου, ὁ, in the N. T. only in the historical books and five times in the book of Revelation; as in Greek writings from Pindar and Aeschylus down, a crowd, i. e. 1. a casual collection of people; a multitude of men who have flocked together in some place, a throng: Matthew 9:23, 25; Matthew 15:10, etc.; Mark 2:4; Mark 3:9, and often; Luke 5:1, 19; Luke 7:9, etc.; John 5:13; John 6:22, 24; John 7:20, 32, 49, etc.; Acts 14:14; Acts 17:8; Acts 21:34; τίς ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου, Luke 11:27; Luke 12:13; or ἀπό τοῦ ὄχλου, 2. the multitude, i. e. the common people, opposed to the rulers and leading men: Matthew 14:5; Matthew 21:26; Mark 12:12; (John 7:12b (provided the plural is retained in the first part of the verse)); with contempt, "the ignorant multitude, the populace, John 7:49; ἐπισύστασις ὄχλου, a riot, a mob, Acts 24:12 (L T Tr WH ἐπίστασιν (which see) ὄχλου). 3. universally, a multitude: with a genitive of the class, as τελωνῶν, Luke 5:29; μαθητῶν, Luke 6:17; ὀνομάτων (see ὄνομα, 3), Acts 1:15; τῶν ἱερέων, Acts 6:7; the plural ὄχλοι, joined with λαοί and ἔθνη, in Revelation 17:15 seems to designate troops of men assembled together without order. (The Sept. chiefly for הָמון.) Strong’s 3793 designates the ordinary “crowd,” “multitude,” or “throng.” Appearing 175 times, it frames virtually every stage of New-Testament salvation history—from the forerunner’s call at the Jordan (Luke 3:7) to the heavenly chorus before the throne (Revelation 19:1). The word depicts people in aggregate, often unnamed and unorganized yet indispensable to the narrative as listeners, seekers, opponents, and worshipers. Crowds and John the Baptist John’s ministry begins the pattern: “The crowds were asking him, ‘What then should we do?’” (Luke 3:10). Here the multitude embodies Israel’s expectation, demonstrating that national repentance precedes messianic revelation. The Magnetism of Jesus Throughout the Gospels Jesus is seldom without a multitude. Matthew recounts that “large crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 4:25). The crowds create settings for: A Spiritual Barometer Crowds reveal varied heart-conditions: amazement (Matthew 12:23), repentance (Luke 3:10-14), curiosity (Luke 11:29), fickleness (Matthew 27:20-24), and hostility (Acts 16:22). Their shifting responses underscore the call for personal faith, not mere mass enthusiasm. Jesus’ Compassionate Engagement Repeatedly the Lord “was moved with compassion for them” (Matthew 9:36; 14:14). He addresses their physical hunger (Mark 8:2) and deeper shepherd-less plight (Mark 6:34). Yet He also withdraws from the throng to pray (Matthew 14:23) or to avoid premature acclaim (John 6:15), modeling a ministry that balances accessibility with dependence on the Father. Instruction to the Multitude Jesus does not dilute truth for large audiences. He calls for radical discipleship: “If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). The crowd becomes the arena where commitment is tested and separation between true disciples and spectators becomes evident (John 6:66-67). Crowds in the Passion Narrative The same populace that hailed “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:9) could be stirred by religious leaders to cry, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:11-15). Scripture thereby exposes the weakness of public opinion and highlights the sovereignty of God, who works His redemptive plan even through a manipulated multitude. The Early Church and Urban Crowds Pentecost places a sound “like a mighty rushing wind” before an assembled multitude (implied by the context of Acts 2). Acts records both receptivity—“A great number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21)—and mob violence—“The crowd joined in the attack against them” (Acts 16:22). Crowds become the mission field and the crucible that forges the church’s witness under pressure. Crowds and Apostolic Preaching Paul addresses mass gatherings in synagogues and public squares (Acts 17:17). Barnabas and Paul plead against idolatry before a throng in Lystra (Acts 14:14-18). These episodes illustrate that gospel proclamation is suited to both individual and collective audiences. Eschatological Multitudes Revelation transforms the earthly crowd into a redeemed, worshiping host: “After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Later, “I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven” (Revelation 19:6). What was once unstable and easily swayed on earth becomes eternally steadfast in glory, attributing salvation to God alone. Social Background First-century Palestine and the wider Greco-Roman world teemed with pilgrims, traders, and the landless poor. Festivals swelled Jerusalem’s population, amplifying both opportunity for gospel proclamation and the volatility seen in the Passion accounts. Roman governance often feared and exploited mass sentiment (Matthew 27:24; Acts 19:35), a backdrop that explains official anxiety over public disturbances. Theological Observations 1. Common grace draws people to hear truth; saving grace transforms them. Pastoral and Missional Implications • Preach the full counsel of God in large gatherings without compromising depth. Representative Passages for Study Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14-23; Mark 8:1-9; Mark 15:8-15; Luke 14:25-35; John 6:1-15; Acts 14:11-20; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 19:1-6. Conclusion Strong’s 3793 presents the multitude as a dynamic witness to God’s works, a mirror of humanity’s varied responses, and a foretaste of eschatological worship. Effective ministry recognizes both the opportunity and the peril inherent in addressing the crowd, always pointing beyond temporary enthusiasm to enduring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:25 N-NMPGRK: ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοὶ ἀπὸ NAS: Large crowds followed Him from Galilee KJV: great multitudes of people from INT: followed him crowds great from Matthew 5:1 N-AMP Matthew 7:28 N-NMP Matthew 8:1 N-NMP Matthew 8:18 N-AMS Matthew 9:8 N-NMP Matthew 9:23 N-AMS Matthew 9:25 N-NMS Matthew 9:33 N-NMP Matthew 9:36 N-AMP Matthew 11:7 N-DMP Matthew 12:15 Noun-NMP Matthew 12:23 N-NMP Matthew 12:46 N-DMP Matthew 13:2 N-NMP Matthew 13:2 N-NMS Matthew 13:34 N-DMP Matthew 13:36 N-AMP Matthew 14:5 N-AMS Matthew 14:13 N-NMP Matthew 14:14 N-AMS Matthew 14:15 N-AMP Matthew 14:19 N-AMP Matthew 14:19 N-DMP Matthew 14:22 N-AMP Strong's Greek 3793 |
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