δῆμος (dēmos)
dēmos
people
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun dēmos refers to the general populace or the common people as a collective body. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, all within the book of Acts, where it typically describes large crowds gathered in public spaces rather than a specific ethnic group.
Lexical sources distinguish this term from laos, which usually denotes the chosen people of Israel. While laos carries theological weight regarding God’s covenant community, dēmos is more secular, describing the citizenry or the unorganized multitude assembled in an urban setting. This distinction highlights its use for civic gatherings rather than religious assemblies.
The word captures the energy of public life in the ancient world. It appears when the crowd at Ephesus erupts into chaos over Paul’s ministry (Acts 19:30) and when the citizens of Thessalonica drag Jason before the authorities (Acts 17:5). These instances show dēmos as a powerful, sometimes volatile, social force.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dēmos describes the general public, often in moments of high emotion or civic unrest. In Acts, it appears when crowds gather in marketplaces and amphitheaters, reacting to the spread of the Gospel. These scenes remind us that faith does not exist in a vacuum; it intersects with the messy, noisy reality of daily life.
When Paul was restrained from speaking to the people in Ephesus (Acts 19:30), we see how quickly public opinion can turn volatile. Yet even in chaos, God’s purposes advance. The Gospel reaches those who are curious, angry, or indifferent alike. This word invites us to engage our communities with grace, knowing that every crowd contains individuals seeking truth.
Whether in times of celebration or conflict, dēmos highlights the broad reach of God’s message. It calls Christians to be present among all people, offering hope without fear of rejection or hostility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the people1×
- people;1×
- people.1×
- people1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δῆμος1×
- δῆμον·1×
- δῆμον1×
- δήμῳ.1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 19:30
When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.
This verse shows dēmos as a powerful crowd that Paul is prevented from addressing, highlighting the tension between divine calling and public resistance.
-
Acts 17:5
But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.
Here dēmos refers to the citizens of Thessalonica dragged into conflict by jealous opponents, illustrating how the Gospel can disrupt social order.
-
Acts 19:33
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
Alexander attempts to speak to the people (dēmos), but their reaction shows how quickly a crowd can turn against even a moderate voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word dēmos mean?
How is dēmos different from laos?
Where does dēmos appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Acts 4 verses
The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Acts 17:5But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace and gathering a crowd, set the city in an…
Acts 19:30When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.
Acts 19:33They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would…