ὀχλοποιέω (ochlopoieō)
ochlopoieō
to riot
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ochlopoieō describes the act of gathering a crowd, often with the implication of stirring up unrest or inciting a riot. It is a compound word formed from ochlos ("crowd") and poieō ("to make" or "to do"), literally meaning "to make a crowd." In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 17:5, where it characterizes the actions of jealous opponents who drag Jason and other believers before the city authorities.
This single occurrence highlights its specific historical context in Thessalonica. The word captures not just the physical assembly of people, but the intentional agitation that accompanies such a gathering. Translators typically render it as "to raise a riot" or "to set a crowd in an uproar," emphasizing the disruptive and potentially violent nature of the event rather than a simple public meeting.
The term underscores the tension between early Christian preaching and civic order. By using ochlopoieō, the biblical text distinguishes between peaceful assembly and mob behavior driven by envy or opposition. It serves as a precise descriptor for how social unrest was initiated in the ancient urban setting, linking the gathering of people directly to civil disturbance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ochlopoieō describes more than just a gathering; it captures the active stirring up of a crowd into unrest. In Acts 17:5, it highlights how jealousy can turn people against one another, dragging believers before authorities to cause an uproar. This term reminds us that community is not merely about physical proximity but about the spirit in which we gather.
For your faith life, this word offers a sobering check on our own hearts. It invites reflection on whether our actions or words might inadvertently fuel division or unrest among others. Instead of seeking to stir up trouble, we are called to build peace and unity within the body of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- having collected a crowd1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀχλοποιήσαντες1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse provides the only New Testament occurrence, showing how jealousy drove opponents to actively incite a public riot against Paul and Silas.