from ὄχλος and ποιέω; to make a crowd, i.e. raise a public disturbance:--gather a company.
Transliteration:ochlopoiéō
Pronunciation:okh-lop-oy-eh'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G3792}}` (ὀχλοποιέω, *ochlopoiéō*) is a compound word formed from `{{G3793}}` (ὄχλος, *ochlos*), meaning "crowd" or "multitude," and `{{G4160}}` (ποιέω, *poieō*), meaning "to make" or "to do." Literally, it signifies "to make a crowd." However, its semantic range extends beyond a mere gathering of people to imply the active instigation or formation of a crowd with a specific, often negative, intent: "to raise a public disturbance" or "to gather a company" for disruptive purposes. This suggests a deliberate act of stirring up unrest or opposition, rather than a spontaneous assembly.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G3792}}` (ὀχλοποιέω) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* **[[Acts 17:5]]**: "But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people."
In this solitary occurrence, the context is highly illustrative. Paul and Silas are preaching the Gospel in Thessalonica, and their message is met with a mixed reception. Some Jews, driven by envy and unbelief, actively employ "evil men" (ἀγοραῖος, *agoraíos* `{{G235}}`, often referring to idlers or rabble-rousers from the marketplace) to "gather a mob" (ὀχλοποιέω). The explicit purpose and outcome of this action are to "set all the city in an uproar" (θόρυβος, *thórybos* `{{G2360}}`) and violently attack the house of Jason, a local believer who hosted Paul and Silas. This demonstrates that the act of *ochlopoiéō* is not neutral; it is a deliberate, hostile, and disruptive act of opposition, designed to incite public disorder and facilitate persecution against the early Christian missionaries.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G3793}}` (ὄχλος, *ochlos*):** The root word for "crowd" or "multitude." While *ochlos* can refer to a neutral gathering (e.g., Jesus teaching the crowds), in the context of *ochlopoiéō*, it specifically denotes a crowd that is being manipulated or incited for disruptive ends.
* **`{{G4160}}` (ποιέω, *poieō*):** The common verb "to make" or "to do," which here emphasizes the active agency in forming the crowd.
* **`{{G235}}` (ἀγοραῖος, *agoraíos*):** "Men of the marketplace," referring to the kind of individuals often recruited to form such a disruptive crowd, as seen in [[Acts 17:5]].
* **`{{G2360}}` (θόρυβος, *thórybos*):** "Uproar," "tumult," or "disturbance." This term describes the direct result and intended purpose of the action of *ochlopoiéō* in the biblical narrative.
* **Persecution (διωγμός, *diōgmós* `{{G1375}}`):** The act of "making a crowd" for disturbance is a common tactic employed by those who instigate persecution against believers.
* **Opposition (ἀντικείμενοι, *antikeímenoi* `{{G475}}`):** The individuals or groups who engage in *ochlopoiéō* are actively opposing the message or work of God.
* **Riot/Insurrection:** These are the practical manifestations of the public disturbance created by *ochlopoiéō*.
### Theological Significance
The single use of `{{G3792}}` (ὀχλοποιέω) in [[Acts 17:5]] carries profound theological weight. It illuminates a specific manifestation of human hostility towards the Gospel: the deliberate orchestration of public disorder and mob violence. This is not a spontaneous eruption of anger but a calculated strategy by those who reject the truth and seek to suppress its spread. It underscores:
* **The Nature of Opposition:** The term reveals that opposition to God's truth can be organized and malicious, employing base means (like inciting rabble) to achieve its aims. It highlights the spiritual battle where forces of darkness manipulate human envy and fear to resist divine purposes.
* **Human Agency in Evil:** It emphasizes the active choice of individuals to instigate chaos and harm, rather than engage with or accept the divine message. The envious Jews *chose* to "make a crowd" rather than repent or believe.
* **The Reality of Persecution:** The word serves as a stark reminder of the persecution faced by early Christians, often at the hands of those whose established religious, social, or economic order felt threatened by the transformative power of the Gospel. This aligns with Jesus' warnings about the world's hatred ([[John 15:18-20]]).
* **Contrast with Divine Order:** The chaos, violence, and injustice inherent in *ochlopoiéō* stand in sharp contrast to the peace, order, and righteousness that characterize the Kingdom of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
* **God's Sovereignty Amidst Chaos:** Despite such human-instigated turmoil, God's plan for the spread of the Gospel is not thwarted. Paul and Silas, though forced to leave Thessalonica, continued their ministry elsewhere, demonstrating God's ability to work through and beyond human opposition.
### Summary
`{{G3792}}` (ὀχλοποιέω, *ochlopoiéō*) is a potent Greek verb meaning "to make a crowd" with the specific intent of "raising a public disturbance" or "gathering a company" for disruptive and hostile purposes. Its singular occurrence in [[Acts 17:5]] provides a vivid illustration of its meaning: envious Jews deliberately instigated a mob using "evil men" to create an uproar and attack early Christian missionaries. This term underscores the organized and malicious nature of opposition to the Gospel, highlighting the human agency in orchestrating chaos and persecution. Theologically, it serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by those who proclaim God's truth, while implicitly affirming God's enduring sovereignty even amidst human-orchestrated turmoil.
TRV