θόρυβος (thorubos)
thorubos
commotion
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thorubos describes a loud, chaotic noise that disrupts public order. In the New Testament, it rarely refers to simple sound; instead, it captures the clamor of an excited or riotous crowd. The sources highlight its use in Matthew 26:5 and Mark 14:2, where it denotes the commotion stirred up by religious leaders seeking to arrest Jesus.
This word often appears in Acts to describe civil unrest. In Acts 21:34, a thorubos breaks out among the crowd against Paul, forcing soldiers to intervene to maintain peace. It also describes the noisy mourning of Jairus’s household in Mark 5:38, where professional wailers create a disruptive scene that Jesus dismisses.
Its root sense implies a violent shaking or disturbance, extending from physical noise to social turmoil. Translators typically render it as "uproar" or "commotion" to preserve this sense of disorderly agitation rather than mere volume.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word thorubos captures more than just loud noise; it describes a chaotic commotion that disrupts peace and order. In the New Testament, this term often appears in scenes of public unrest or emotional turmoil, such as when crowds stirred up trouble against Jesus or Paul. It reminds us that human excitement can easily tip into disorder, creating barriers to truth and safety.
Yet, even in these moments of uproar, Christ’s presence offers a counterweight. In Mark 5:38, Jesus enters a house filled with the thorubos of professional mourners and brings calm where there was only noise. He does not join the chaos but stands above it, offering peace that outlasts the clamor of the crowd.
When life feels like a thorubos—filled with confusion or conflicting voices—remember that God’s voice is gentle and clear. You do not need to shout to be heard by Him. In the midst of any disturbance, you can find rest in His steady love, which remains unmoved by the noise around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- uproar2×
- a riot2×
- tumult,1×
- an uproar1×
- a commotion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θόρυβος3×
- θόρυβον3×
- θορύβου,1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 5:38
He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing.
This verse highlights how Jesus confronts a disruptive scene of professional mourning with quiet authority, showing His power over chaotic emotions.
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Acts 21:34
Some shouted one thing and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
Here the word describes the physical noise and confusion that prevented Paul from speaking, illustrating how turmoil can obscure truth.
-
Matthew 26:5
But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”
The religious leaders fear this kind of public riot will spoil their plans, revealing how social unrest is often driven by self-interest rather than justice.