ὄχλος (ochlos)
ochlos
crowd
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 171 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word ochlos refers to a crowd or throng of people gathered together, often without strict order. In the New Testament, it appears frequently in the Gospels to describe the large groups that followed Jesus, such as the multitude listening on the shore (Mark 2:13) or the masses pressing in to hear him teach (Luke 5:1). The term captures the physical reality of a dense, moving assembly rather than a formal political body.
While ochlos generally denotes a simple multitude, it can carry a nuanced distinction from other words for "people." Classical sources and lexicons note that it sometimes contrasts with demos, referring to the common populace or even carrying a tone of contempt for the uneducated masses (John 7:49). This usage highlights a social divide between the general public and the ruling elite or religious leaders.
The word’s etymology suggests something borne along or carried, implying a group that moves as a single mass. In Acts, it is used to describe the large number of names recorded in the early church (Acts 1:15), showing its application beyond mere physical gatherings. Translators typically render it as "crowd," "multitude," or "people," depending on whether the focus is on the size of the group or its social status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ochlos describes a large gathering of people, often moving together without strict order. In the Gospels, it captures the physical reality of crowds pressing in to hear Jesus teach or waiting for healing. These groups were not formal political bodies but ordinary individuals drawn by curiosity, need, or hope.
For your faith, this word reminds us that Jesus did not retreat from the noise and chaos of daily life. He engaged with the masses directly, offering compassion to those who were harassed and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. His presence brought order and peace even in the most crowded settings.
When you read about these gatherings, consider how Jesus valued every individual within the crowd. He did not see them as an obstacle but as people worthy of his time, teaching, and healing. This offers comfort that God cares for the many, not just the few.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 171 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crowd60×
- crowds42×
- a crowd24×
- crowds.7×
- crowd;5×
- crowd.5×
- crowd,5×
- multitude4×
- crowds;3×
- the crowds2×
- the crowd2×
- people2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄχλος39×
- ὄχλον28×
- ὄχλοι27×
- ὄχλου22×
- ὄχλους12×
- ὄχλῳ9×
- ὄχλοις6×
- ὄχλος,5×
- ὄχλῳ.3×
- ὄχλον·3×
- ὄχλον.3×
- ὄχλοις.3×
Key Verses
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Matthew 9:36
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
This verse highlights Jesus' compassion for the crowds, describing them as harassed and scattered like sheep without a shepherd.
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Matthew 14:14
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Here, Jesus sees a great multitude and responds with healing rather than dismissal, showing his care for their physical needs.
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Matthew 5:1
Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
Jesus uses the sight of the multitudes as a cue to teach his disciples, bridging the gap between public ministry and private instruction.
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Matthew 13:2
Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
The crowd's gathering on the beach illustrates the overwhelming interest in Jesus' teaching, prompting him to use a boat as a pulpit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ochlos mean in the New Testament?
How is ochlos different from demos?
Why does Jesus often teach in front of a crowd?
Does ochlos always have a negative connotation?
Every Occurrence (171 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 48 verses
Great 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 sent 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…
Matthew 9:36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like…
Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
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 13:34Jesus 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…
Matthew 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 14:13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it,…
Matthew 14:14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send…
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…
Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the…
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…
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…
Matthew 15:31so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind…
Matthew 15:32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now…
Matthew 15:33The disciples said to him, “Where could 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…