Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5919 popularity

The state of being liked and admired. Scripture notes how the faithful preaching of the gospel will lead to hostility and unpopularity, not least on account of its demands on people and its proclamation of judgment.

The popularity of Jesus Christ during his early ministry

Crowds gathered round him

Mark 2:2 See also Mark 3:10; Mark 5:24; Luke 5:1; Luke 8:19,45

Many people followed him

Matthew 4:25; Matthew 13:2; Matthew 15:30; Mark 1:33; Mark 2:13; Luke 12:1

The popularity of David

1 Samuel 18:7; Samuel 21:11; Samuel 29:5; 2 Samuel 3:36

Popularity can result from seeking approval from human beings, rather than from God

John 12:43 See also Luke 6:26; Colossians 3:22

Actions carried out to gain popularity

2 Samuel 15:1-6 Absalom's attempt to curry favour; Acts 12:1-3 Herod's arrest of Christians; Acts 24:27 Felix' imprisonment of Paul; Acts 25:9 Festus' prosecution of Paul

Causes of unpopularity for the gospel

Its appeal to those whom the world regards as weak and foolish

1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Corinthians 2:6-7

Its insistence that people are sinful

Romans 7:7; 1 Timothy 5:20; 1 John 1:8

Its challenge to vested interests

John 11:45-48 the Pharisees' privileged position; Acts 19:23-40 the silversmith's trade; Acts 5:17-41; Acts 21:27-36

The high demands that the gospel makes of people

Mark 10:17-23

The difficulty of some of Jesus Christ's sayings

John 6:60-66

See also

2369  Christ, responses to
2426  gospel, responses
5279  crowds
5861  favour, human
5923  public opinion
8116  discipleship, cost
8460  pleasing God
8848  worldliness