3793. ochlos
Lexical Summary
ochlos: Crowd, multitude, throng

Original Word: ὄχλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ochlos
Pronunciation: OKH-los
Phonetic Spelling: (okh'los)
KJV: company, multitude, number (of people), people, press
NASB: crowd, crowds, people, multitude, numbers, gathering, many
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G2192 (ἔχω - have) (meaning a vehicle)]

1. a throng (as borne along)
2. (by implication) the rabble
3. (by extension) a class of people
4. (figuratively) a riot

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
multitude, crowd

From 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 óxlos – a crowd (throng). The singular ("crowd"/oxlos) is used about three times more frequently than the plural ("crowds"/oxloi). The singular and plural should be distinguished in translation because they each express distinct nuances.

[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 oxlos is subsequently referred to in narrative or by some speaker, the reference is always in the plural, whether verb or pronoun autois, etc., except Rev 7:9 where proximity is probably the cause of the singular. That also is the only passage where the relative is used" (R, 1390).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a 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: ὄχλος

ὄχλος, ὄχλου, , 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, ; ἀπό (for i. e. on account of (cf. ἀπό, II. 2 b.)) τοῦ ὄχλου, Luke 19:3; βία τοῦ ὄχλου, Acts 21:35; πολύς ὄχλος and much more often ὄχλος πολύς, Matthew 14:14; Matthew 20:29; Matthew 26:47; Mark 5:21, 24; Mark 6:34; Mark 9:14; Mark 14:43 (here T Tr WH omit; L Tr marginal reading brackets πολύς); Luke 7:11; Luke 8:4; Luke 9:37; John 6:2, 5; John 12:12 (but here Tr marginal reading brackets WH prefix ; cf. Buttmann, 91 (80)); Revelation 19:1, 6; with the article πολύς ὄχλος, the great multitude present, Mark 12:37; ( ὄχλος πολύς (the noun forming with the adjective a single composite term, like our) the common people, John 12:9 T WH Tr marginal reading; cf. Buttmann, as above; some would give the phrase the same sense in Mark, the passage cited); πάμπολυς, Mark 8:1 (Rec.); ἱκανός, Mark 10:46; Luke 7:12; Acts 11:24, 26; Acts 19:26; ... πλεῖστος ὄχλος (the most part of the multitude), Matthew 21:8; πᾶς ὄχλος, Matthew 13:2; Mark 2:13; Mark 4:1; Mark 7:14 (Rec.); ; Luke 13:17; Acts 21:27; ὄχλον τοσοῦτον, Matthew 15:33; αἱ μυριάδες τοῦ ὄχλου Luke 12:1; οὐ μετά ὄχλου, not having a crowd with me, Acts 24:18; ἄτερ ὄχλου, in the absence of the multitude ((see ἄτερ)), Luke 22:6. plural οἱ ὄχλοι, very often in Matt. and Luke, as Matthew 5:1; Matthew 7:28; Matthew 9:8, 33, 36; Matthew 11:7; Matthew 12:46; Matthew 13:34, 36, etc.; Luke 3:7, 10; Luke 4:42; Luke 5:3; Luke 8:42, 45; Luke 9:11; Luke 11:14, etc.; Acts 8:6; Acts 13:45; Acts 14:11, 13, 18; Acts 17:13; once in John 7:12 (where Tdf. the singular); in Mark only Rec.; and without the article Mark 10:1; ὄχλοι πολλοί, Matthew 4:25; Matthew 8:1; Matthew 12:15 (R G); ; Luke 5:15; Luke 14:25; πάντες οἱ ὄχλοι, Matthew 12:23.

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.)

Topical Lexicon
Scope and General Portrait

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:
• Teaching—Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1); Parables from the boat (Mark 4:1).
• Healing—“He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).
• Miraculous provision—feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:19) and 4,000 (Matthew 15:36).

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.
2. The crowd is never an end in itself; it presents individuals in need of personal conversion.
3. Kingdom ministry values persons, not popularity. Jesus withdraws rather than trust Himself to mass acclaim (John 2:24-25).
4. Eschatology completes what history foreshadows: a purified multitude worshiping the Lamb.

Pastoral and Missional Implications

• Preach the full counsel of God in large gatherings without compromising depth.
• Compassionate service to human need opens ears to the gospel (Mark 8:2).
• Guard against measuring success by numbers alone; the same crowd can exalt and reject Christ within days.
• Look beyond cultural, ethnic, and linguistic barriers, anticipating the multinational host before the throne.

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.

Forms and Transliterations
οχλοι όχλοι ὄχλοι οχλοις όχλοις ὄχλοις οχλον όχλον ὄχλον οχλος όχλος ὄχλος οχλου όχλου ὄχλου οχλους όχλους ὄχλους οχλω όχλω ὄχλῳ οχλων όχλων ὄχλων οχυρά οχυραί οχυραίς οχυράν οχυράς οχυροίς οχυρόν οχυρών οχυρώση ωχυρωμένη ωχύρωσεν ochlo ochlō ochloi óchloi óchlōi ochlois óchlois ochlon ochlōn óchlon óchlōn ochlos óchlos ochlou óchlou ochlous óchlous
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 4:25 N-NMP
GRK: 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
GRK: δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς
NAS: When Jesus saw the crowds, He went
KJV: seeing the multitudes, he went up
INT: moreover the crowds he went up on

Matthew 7:28 N-NMP
GRK: ἐξεπλήσσοντο οἱ ὄχλοι ἐπὶ τῇ
NAS: words, the crowds were amazed
KJV: sayings, the people were astonished
INT: were astonished the crowds at the

Matthew 8:1 N-NMP
GRK: ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί
NAS: large crowds followed
KJV: great multitudes followed
INT: followed him crowds great

Matthew 8:18 N-AMS
GRK: ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὄχλον περὶ αὐτὸν
NAS: saw a crowd around
KJV: saw great multitudes about him,
INT: Jesus [a] crowd around him

Matthew 9:8 N-NMP
GRK: δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ
NAS: But when the crowds saw
KJV: But when the multitudes saw
INT: moreover the crowds marveled and

Matthew 9:23 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν ὄχλον θορυβούμενον
NAS: the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder,
KJV: and the people making a noise,
INT: and the crowd making a commotion

Matthew 9:25 N-NMS
GRK: ἐξεβλήθη ὁ ὄχλος εἰσελθὼν ἐκράτησεν
NAS: But when the crowd had been sent
KJV: when the people were put forth,
INT: had been put out the crowd having entered he took hold of

Matthew 9:33 N-NMP
GRK: ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες Οὐδέποτε
NAS: spoke; and the crowds were amazed,
KJV: and the multitudes marvelled,
INT: marveled the crowds saying Never

Matthew 9:36 N-AMP
GRK: δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἐσπλαγχνίσθη περὶ
NAS: Seeing the people, He felt compassion
KJV: when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion
INT: moreover the crowds he was moved with compassion for

Matthew 11:7 N-DMP
GRK: λέγειν τοῖς ὄχλοις περὶ Ἰωάννου
NAS: to speak to the crowds about
KJV: to say unto the multitudes concerning
INT: to say to the crowds concerning John

Matthew 12:15 Noun-NMP
GRK: ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ ὄχλοι πολλοί καὶ
INT: followed him multitudes many and

Matthew 12:23 N-NMP
GRK: πάντες οἱ ὄχλοι καὶ ἔλεγον
NAS: All the crowds were amazed,
KJV: And all the people were amazed, and
INT: all the crowds and said

Matthew 12:46 N-DMP
GRK: λαλοῦντος τοῖς ὄχλοις ἰδοὺ ἡ
NAS: speaking to the crowds, behold,
KJV: talked to the people, behold,
INT: was speaking to the crowds behold the

Matthew 13:2 N-NMP
GRK: πρὸς αὐτὸν ὄχλοι πολλοί ὥστε
NAS: And large crowds gathered to Him, so
KJV: great multitudes were gathered together
INT: to him crowds great so that

Matthew 13:2 N-NMS
GRK: πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: and the whole crowd was standing
KJV: and the whole multitude stood on
INT: all the crowd on the

Matthew 13:34 N-DMP
GRK: παραβολαῖς τοῖς ὄχλοις καὶ χωρὶς
NAS: spoke to the crowds in parables,
KJV: Jesus unto the multitude in
INT: parables to the crowds and without

Matthew 13:36 N-AMP
GRK: ἀφεὶς τοὺς ὄχλους ἦλθεν εἰς
NAS: He left the crowds and went
KJV: sent the multitude away,
INT: having dismissed the crowds he went into

Matthew 14:5 N-AMS
GRK: ἐφοβήθη τὸν ὄχλον ὅτι ὡς
NAS: he feared the crowd, because
KJV: he feared the multitude, because
INT: he feared the multitude because as

Matthew 14:13 N-NMP
GRK: ἀκούσαντες οἱ ὄχλοι ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ
NAS: by Himself; and when the people heard
KJV: and when the people had heard
INT: having heard [of it] the crowds followed him

Matthew 14:14 N-AMS
GRK: εἶδεν πολὺν ὄχλον καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη
NAS: a large crowd, and felt compassion
KJV: a great multitude, and
INT: he saw great a crowd and was moved with compassion

Matthew 14:15 N-AMP
GRK: ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ὄχλους ἵνα ἀπελθόντες
NAS: send the crowds away,
KJV: past; send the multitude away, that
INT: dismiss the crowds that having gone

Matthew 14:19 N-AMP
GRK: κελεύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνακλιθῆναι ἐπὶ
NAS: Ordering the people to sit down
KJV: he commanded the multitude to sit down
INT: having commanded the crowds to sit down on

Matthew 14:19 N-DMP
GRK: μαθηταὶ τοῖς ὄχλοις
NAS: and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds,
KJV: and the disciples to the multitude.
INT: [the] disciples to the crowds

Matthew 14:22 N-AMP
GRK: ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους
NAS: while He sent the crowds away.
KJV: while he sent the multitudes away.
INT: he would have dismissed the crowds

Strong's Greek 3793
175 Occurrences


ὄχλῳ — 12 Occ.
ὄχλων — 1 Occ.
ὄχλοι — 28 Occ.
ὄχλοις — 11 Occ.
ὄχλον — 35 Occ.
ὄχλος — 46 Occ.
ὄχλου — 25 Occ.
ὄχλους — 17 Occ.

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