ὄχλος
ochlos
crowd
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ὄχλος (ochlos) is a term that refers to a crowd or a multitude of people. With 176 occurrences in the Bible, it is a common word used to describe gatherings of various sizes, from small groups to large throngs. Its meaning is straightforward, conveying a sense of a collective group of individuals. The word ὄχλος is used in a wide range of contexts, including social gatherings, public events, and even chaotic scenes. It can describe a crowd of people gathered for various purposes, such as to worship, to hear a message, or to witness a spectacle. In some cases, the word is used to convey a sense of disorder or chaos, as when a crowd becomes unruly or difficult to manage. In terms of significance, the word ὄχλος highlights the importance of community and social interaction in ancient Greek culture. It underscores the idea that people often gather together in groups to share experiences, to learn from one another, and to participate in collective activities. By examining the various uses of ὄχλος in the Bible, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social dynamics and cultural norms of the ancient world.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
176 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
Matthew 14:14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
Matthew 4:25Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 5:1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Matthew 7:28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Matthew 8:1When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Matthew 8:18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side.
Matthew 9:8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Matthew 9:23When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder,
Matthew 9:25But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
Matthew 9:33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
Matthew 9:36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Matthew 12:15Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all,
Matthew 12:23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
Matthew 12:46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Matthew 13:2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 13:2Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
Matthew 13:34Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them,
Matthew 13:36Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”
Matthew 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 14:15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”
Matthew 14:19He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
Matthew 14:19He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Matthew 14:23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
Matthew 15:10He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand.
Matthew 15:30Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them,
Matthew 15:31so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
Matthew 15:33The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
Matthew 15:35He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
Matthew 15:36and 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.
Matthew 15:39Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
Matthew 17:14When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Matthew 19:2Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
Matthew 20:29As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Matthew 20:31The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Matthew 21:8A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees, and spread them on the road.
Matthew 21:9The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:11The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
Matthew 21:46When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Matthew 22:33When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Matthew 23:1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,
Matthew 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Matthew 26:55In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.
Matthew 27:15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired.
Matthew 27:20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”