Topical Bible: Crowds

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In the biblical narrative, crowds often play a significant role, serving as both witnesses to and participants in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The presence of crowds is frequently mentioned in the Gospels, where they gather around Jesus, drawn by His teachings, miracles, and the hope of the coming Kingdom of God.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not frequently mention "crowds" in the same way as the New Testament, gatherings of people are significant in various narratives. For example, during the Exodus, the Israelites, a large assembly, journeyed together from Egypt to the Promised Land (Exodus 12:37). The assembly of the people at Mount Sinai to receive the Law (Exodus 19) and the gathering of Israelites for festivals and worship in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16) also highlight the importance of communal gatherings in Israel's religious life.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ochlos" is often translated as "crowd" or "multitude." Crowds are frequently depicted in the Gospels, where they follow Jesus, eager to hear His teachings and witness His miracles.

1. Jesus' Ministry: Crowds are a constant presence in Jesus' ministry. They gather to hear His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1), witness His miracles (Matthew 15:30), and seek healing (Mark 3:10). The Gospel of Mark notes, "Again Jesus began to teach by the sea, and such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people crowded along the shore" (Mark 4:1).

2. Miracles and Healings: The crowds often bring the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus, demonstrating their faith in His power to heal. In Matthew 14:14, it is recorded, "When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick" .

3. Feeding of the Multitudes: One of the most notable miracles involving a crowd is the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed a large gathering (John 6:1-14). This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' divine provision but also foreshadows the spiritual nourishment He offers.

4. Triumphal Entry: As Jesus enters Jerusalem, a great crowd welcomes Him, laying down palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9). This event fulfills Old Testament prophecy and marks the beginning of Passion Week.

5. Crucifixion and Resurrection: Crowds are present during Jesus' trial and crucifixion, with some shouting for His crucifixion (Mark 15:13-14). After His resurrection, Jesus appears to more than five hundred people at once, as noted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:6, indicating the continued presence and importance of large groups in the early Christian witness.

Theological Implications

The presence of crowds in the biblical narrative underscores the communal aspect of faith and the public nature of Jesus' ministry. Crowds serve as a microcosm of humanity, displaying a range of responses to Jesus—from belief and worship to skepticism and hostility. They highlight the accessibility of Jesus' message to all people, regardless of social or economic status.

Early Church

In the Acts of the Apostles, crowds continue to play a role as the early church grows. On the day of Pentecost, Peter addresses a large crowd, resulting in about three thousand people being added to the church (Acts 2:41). The apostles often preach to crowds, demonstrating the spread of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing people to Christ.

Throughout Scripture, crowds are a testament to the widespread impact of God's work among His people, illustrating both the challenges and opportunities of proclaiming the Gospel to a diverse and often unpredictable audience.

Greek

3793. ochlos -- a crowd, multitude, the common people
... word Definition a crowd, multitude, the common people NASB Word Usage crowd (87),
crowds (47), gathering (1), many (1), mob (1), multitude (3), multitudes (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3793.htm - 8k

120a. athroizo -- to gather
... Word Origin from athroos (assembled in crowds) Definition to gather NASB Word Usage
gathered together (1). 120, 120a. athroizo. 120b . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/120a.htm - 5k

Strong's Hebrew

102. agaph -- a band, army
... bands. Probably from nagaph (through the idea of impending); a cover or heap; ie
(only plural) wings of an army, or crowds of troops -- bands. see HEBREW nagaph ...
/hebrew/102.htm - 6k

Library

But Infirmity Pleadeth Its Part, and with Favor of the Crowds ...
... Section 38. But infirmity pleadeth its part, and with favor of the crowds
proclaims itself to? 38. But infirmity pleadeth its ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 38 but infirmity pleadeth.htm

When Archelaus had Finished this Speech, the Crowds of People ...
... 51 When Archelaus had finished this speech, the crowds of people marvelled
at the truth of? When Archelaus had finished this speech ...
/.../51 when archelaus had finished.htm

Way-Marks in John's Narrative.
... To these came great crowds of pilgrim Jews from all quarters of the world, speaking
many languages beside their national Hebrew, giving large business ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/way-marks in johns narrative.htm

Tapestry Threads.
... See how the crowds crowd to Jesus, and open up to the appeal of His words and
acts and presence. ... Jesus drew the crowds and was drawn by them. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/tapestry threads.htm

Warp-Threads.
... deputation that was sent from Jerusalem by the official leaders of the nation, down
to the Jordan bottoms where John the witness was drawing such great crowds. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/warp-threads.htm

Climbing Towards the Climax.
... Jesus withdraws from the crowds who would like a bread-maker for a king, gets a
bit of quiet alone with His Father on the mountainside, and then walks on the ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/climbing towards the climax.htm

The Aggressive Rejection.
... This was a crowded year for Jesus, and a year of crowds. ... The crowds were so great,
and the days so crowded, that Jesus' very eating was interfered with. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the aggressive rejection.htm

The Ugly Thread in the Weaving.
... The cunning discussion among the great Jordan crowds about the purifying rite of
baptism, stirred up so successfully by "a Jew," that is, probably by one of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the ugly thread in the.htm

Dissolving views.
... there also; for to this end came I forth." Much easier to go back and deal again
with the old crowd of yesterday; harder to meet the new crowds with their new ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/dissolving views.htm

The Coming of the King to his Palace
... The allusion to the prophecy, in His sending for the colt and mounting it, may have
escaped the disciples and the crowds of pilgrims; but they rightly caught ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the coming of the king.htm

Thesaurus

Crowds (62 Occurrences)
...Crowds (62 Occurrences). ... Matthew 5:1 But seeing the crowds, he went up into the mountain,
and having sat down, his disciples came to him; (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/crowds.htm - 24k

Towns (450 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:25 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns,
from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the ...
/t/towns.htm - 36k

Crowd (166 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To press together or collect in numbers; to swarm; to throng. 6. (vi) To
urge or press forward; to force one's self; as, a man crowds into a room. ...
/c/crowd.htm - 35k

Filled (336 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse,
the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching, (WEY). ...
/f/filled.htm - 35k

Recline (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having
taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed ...
/r/recline.htm - 10k

Dismissed (22 Occurrences)
... 14:22 And immediately he compelled the disciples to go on board ship, and to go
on before him to the other side, until he should have dismissed the crowds. ...
/d/dismissed.htm - 12k

District (59 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:25 And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns,
from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the ...
/d/district.htm - 24k

Broken (559 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having
taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed ...
/b/broken.htm - 39k

Crippled (15 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:30 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled
in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to ...
/c/crippled.htm - 11k

Amazement (32 Occurrences)
... Amazement (32 Occurrences). Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse,
the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching, (WEY). ...
/a/amazement.htm - 15k

Resources

Why did the crowds shout, “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus ask the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” | GotQuestions.org

What is Palm Sunday? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance

Crowds (62 Occurrences)

Matthew 4:25
And great crowds followed Him, coming from Galilee, from the Ten Towns, from Jerusalem, and from beyond the district on the other side of the Jordan.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 5:1
But seeing the crowds, he went up into the mountain, and having sat down, his disciples came to him;
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 7:28
When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled with amazement at His teaching,
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 8:1
Upon descending from the hill country He was followed by immense crowds.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 8:18
Seeing great crowds about Him Jesus had given directions to cross to the other side of the Lake,
(WEY DBY RSV)

Matthew 9:8
And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 9:33
When the demon was expelled, the dumb man could speak. And the crowds exclaimed in astonishment, "Never was such a thing seen in Israel."
(WEY DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 9:36
And when He saw the crowds He was touched with pity for them, because they were distressed and were fainting on the ground like sheep which have no shepherd.
(WEY DBY RSV NIV)

Matthew 11:7
But as they went away, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed moved about by the wind?
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 12:15
But Jesus knowing it, withdrew thence, and great crowds followed him; and he healed them all:
(DBY)

Matthew 12:23
And the crowds of people were all filled with amazement and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
(WEY DBY NAS)

Matthew 12:46
But while he was yet speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
(DBY NAS)

Matthew 13:2
And great crowds were gathered together to him, so that going on board ship himself he sat down, and the whole crowd stood on the shore.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:34
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them,
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 13:36
Then, having dismissed the crowds, he went into the house; and his disciples came to him, saying, Expound to us the parable of the darnel of the field.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 14:13
Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in crowds from the towns by land.
(WEY DBY RSV NIV)

Matthew 14:15
But when even was come, his disciples came to him saying, The place is desert, and much of the day time already gone by; dismiss the crowds, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 14:19
And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed: and having broken the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 14:22
And immediately he compelled the disciples to go on board ship, and to go on before him to the other side, until he should have dismissed the crowds.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 14:23
And having dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. And when even was come, he was alone there,
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 15:30
Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them,
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 15:31
so that the crowds wondered, seeing dumb speaking, crippled sound, lame walking, and blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
(DBY)

Matthew 15:35
And he commanded the crowds to lie down on the ground;
(DBY)

Matthew 15:36
and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
(See RSV)

Matthew 15:39
And, having dismissed the crowds, he went on board ship and came to the borders of Magadan.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 19:2
and great crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 21:9
And the crowds who went before him and who followed cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 21:11
"This is Jesus, the Prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee," replied the crowds.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 21:46
And seeking to lay hold of him, they were afraid of the crowds, because they held him for a prophet.
(DBY)

Matthew 22:33
And when the crowds heard it they were astonished at his doctrine.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Matthew 23:1
Then Jesus addressed the crowds and His disciples.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:55
Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me.
(WEY DBY NAS RSV)

Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should beg for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
(DBY NAS)

Mark 10:1
And rising up thence he comes into the coasts of Judaea, and the other side of the Jordan. And again crowds come together to him, and, as he was accustomed, again he taught them.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 3:7
Accordingly John used to say to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
(WEY DBY NAS NIV)

Luke 3:10
The crowds repeatedly asked him, "What then are we to do?"
(WEY DBY NAS)

Luke 4:42
And when it was day he went out, and went into a desert place, and the crowds sought after him, and came up to him, and would have kept him back that he should not go from them.
(DBY NAS)

Luke 5:3
And getting into one of the ships, which was Simon's, he asked him to draw out a little from the land; and he sat down and taught the crowds out of the ship.
(DBY)

Luke 5:15
But the report concerning him was spread abroad still more, and great crowds came together to hear, and to be healed from their infirmities.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Luke 7:24
And the messengers of John having departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken by the wind?
(DBY NAS RSV)

Luke 8:42
because he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. And as he went the crowds thronged him.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Luke 8:45
"Who is it touched me?" Jesus asked. And when all denied having done so, Peter and the rest said, "Rabbi, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing on you."
(WEY DBY)

Luke 9:11
But the crowds knowing it followed him; and he received them and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those that had need of healing.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 9:18
And it came to pass as he was praying alone, his disciples were with him, and he asked them saying, Who do the crowds say that I am?
(DBY NIV)

Luke 11:14
And he was casting out a demon, and it was dumb; and it came to pass, the demon being gone out, the dumb man spoke. And the crowds wondered.
(DBY NAS)

Luke 11:29
Now when the crowds came thronging upon Him, He proceeded to say, "The present generation is a wicked generation: it requires some sign, but no sign shall be given to it except that of Jonah.
(WEY DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 12:54
And he said also to the crowds, When ye see a cloud rising out of the west, straightway ye say, A shower is coming; and so it happens.
(DBY NAS)

Luke 14:25
On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He turned and said,
(WEY DBY NAS NIV)

Luke 23:4
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, I find no guilt in this man.
(DBY NAS)

Luke 23:48
And all the crowds that had come together to this sight, after seeing all that had occurred, returned to the city beating their breasts.
(WEY DBY NAS)

John 7:12
And there was much murmuring concerning him among the crowds. Some said, He is a good man; others said, No; but he deceives the crowd.
(DBY NAS NIV)

John 8:2
At break of day however He returned to the Temple, and there the people came to Him in crowds. He seated Himself;
(WEY)

Acts 5:16
The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.
(WEY NIV)

Acts 8:6
Crowds of people, with one accord, gave attention to what they heard from him, listening, and witnessing the signs which he did.
(WEY DBY NAS NIV)

Acts 13:45
Seeing the crowds, the Jews, filled with angry jealousy, opposed Paul's statements and abused him.
(WEY DBY NAS NIV)

Acts 14:11
So he sprang up and began to walk about. Then the crowds, seeing what Paul had done, rent the air with their shouts in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have assumed human form and have come down to us."
(WEY DBY NAS RSV)

Acts 14:13
And the priest of Jupiter who was before the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the gates, would have done sacrifice along with the crowds.
(DBY NAS)

Acts 14:18
And saying these things, they with difficulty kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.
(DBY NAS)

Acts 14:19
But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds and stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing him to have died.
(DBY NAS)

Acts 17:13
But when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was announced in Berea also by Paul, they came there also, stirring up the crowds.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 21:30
The excitement spread through the whole city, and the people rushed in crowds to the Temple, and there laid hold of Paul and began to drag him out; and the Temple gates were immediately closed.
(WEY)

Exodus 38:8
And he made the laver of copper, and its stand of copper, of the mirrors of the crowds of women who crowded before the entrance of the tent of meeting.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Crowds

Related Terms

Rooster (13 Occurrences)

Crow (9 Occurrences)

Denied (34 Occurrences)

Sooner (21 Occurrences)

Mean (93 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Talking (208 Occurrences)

Spoken (631 Occurrences)

Onto (22 Occurrences)