Lexical Summary démos: People, populace, public Original Word: δῆμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance people. From deo; the public (as bound together socially) -- people. see GREEK deo HELPS Word-studies 1218 dḗmos (from 1210 /déō, "to bind, tie") – people bound (tied) together by similar laws or customs (like citizens in an ancient Greek city forming an assembly, cf. 1577 /ekklēsía). In the NT, 1218 (dḗmos) refers to people unified in conviction and showing it in public opinion, i.e. their "collective persuasion." [1218 (dḗmos) is the root of the English word, "democracy." Ancient Greek used 1218 (dḗmos) for "the body politic" (J. Thayer).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a district or country, the common people, esp. the people assembled NASB Translation assembly (2), people (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1218: δῆμοςδῆμος, δήμου ὁ, the people, the mass of the people assembled in a public place: Acts 12:22; Acts 19:33; ἄγειν (R G), εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τόν δῆμον: Acts 17:5 (L T Tr WH προάγειν); Acts 19:30. (From Homer down.) Topical Lexicon Biblical UsageThe noun δῆμος appears four times in the Greek New Testament, each in the narrative portions of Acts. In every case it refers to the body of common citizens in a city, the non-elite populace whose reaction to the gospel often became a decisive factor in the progress of apostolic mission. • Acts 12:22 portrays the fickleness of a crowd swayed by political theater: “The people (ὁ δῆμος) began to shout, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man!’ ”. Here the populace, captivated by Herod’s pomp, falls into idolatrous exaltation, reminding readers how easily public opinion can be manipulated when truth is absent. • In Acts 17:5 the same term is rendered “a mob”: “But the Jews became jealous, so they rounded up some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob (δῆμον), and set the city in an uproar.” The verse illustrates how segments of the populace could be incited against the gospel through misinformation and envy. • Acts 19:30–33 records the uproar in Ephesus, when Paul’s companions faced danger at the theater. Verse 30 says, “Paul wanted to appear before the crowd (δῆμον), but the disciples would not allow him,” while verse 33 notes that Alexander was put forward “before the people (δήμῳ).” The term again points to a gathered citizenry whose collective mood could either threaten or assist the mission. Across these texts δῆμος is never neutral; it is an arena where spiritual forces contend and where the truth of Christ must be proclaimed with wisdom and courage. Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world δῆμος denoted the populace of a polis, distinguished from the governing elite. Cities such as Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Jerusalem had formal assemblies (ἐκκλησία) for civic decisions, yet the δῆμος remained the volatile crowd present in marketplaces and theaters. Political leaders courted its favor, public rhetoric sought its applause, and itinerant philosophers or religious figures addressed it for influence. Luke’s use of δῆμος shows familiarity with this civic landscape. He presents cities as mission fields where the gospel inevitably intersects public life. When the apostles entered a city, they did not merely engage private individuals; the message quickly reached the streets, testing hearts on a communal scale. The People and the Gospel 1. Responsiveness and Volatility The same people who glorified Herod in Acts 12 later saw him struck by God. The crowd that threatened Paul in Ephesus eventually dispersed when reminded of Roman authority. These passages highlight how unstable human acclaim can be, echoing the words of Jesus: “Woe to you when all men speak well of you” (Luke 6:26). 2. Evangelistic Opportunity Though crowds can be stirred to violence, they also contain seekers whom God is drawing. Paul desired to address the Ephesian δῆμος (Acts 19:30) because he saw an open door for proclamation, even amid danger. His restraint by fellow believers models prudent discernment in weighing risk against gospel opportunity. 3. Public Witness Acts repeatedly ties the advance of the word to public arenas—synagogues, marketplaces, theaters. The early church did not retreat from civic life; it bore witness before rulers and the populace alike, trusting the Spirit to penetrate collective conscience. Practical Ministry Insights • Engage the Public Square Modern ministry should reckon with mass opinion shaped by media and social networks—the contemporary δῆμος. Wise engagement involves clarity, compassion, and a readiness to suffer misunderstanding, knowing that God still gathers a people for His name out of the multitude. • Guard Against Mob Mentality in the Church Even believers can be influenced by sensationalism. Leaders must foster biblical literacy and spiritual maturity so congregations respond to issues with truth rather than impulse. • Pray for Civic Authorities As Paul urged Timothy (1 Timothy 2:1-4), intercession for rulers benefits “all people.” Peaceful conditions enable the church to preach Christ freely to the broader populace. Theological Significance δῆμος underscores the corporate dimension of sin and redemption. While Scripture affirms individual accountability, it also acknowledges the collective dynamics of human society. The gospel confronts cultural idolatries (Acts 19) and offers a new citizenship in the kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20). The volatile city crowd contrasts with the stable “assembly of the firstborn” in heaven (Hebrews 12:23), pointing to the eschatological hope of a gathered people perfected in Christ. Conclusion In Acts the δῆμος represents both the challenge and promise of public ministry. Crowds can exalt false gods or persecute the saints, yet they also contain hearts prepared for salvation. Faithful witness requires courage before the populace, discernment amid pressure, and unwavering confidence that the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16), whether they emerge from palace halls or the restless multitude in the streets. Forms and Transliterations δήμοι δήμοις δημον δήμον δῆμον δημος δήμος δῆμος δήμου δήμους δημω δήμω δήμῳ δήμων demo dēmō dḗmoi dḗmōi demon dêmon dēmon dē̂mon demos dêmos dēmos dē̂mosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 12:22 N-NMSGRK: ὁ δὲ δῆμος ἐπεφώνει Θεοῦ NAS: The people kept crying out, The voice KJV: And the people gave a shout, INT: and [the] people were crying out Of a god Acts 17:5 N-AMS Acts 19:30 N-AMS Acts 19:33 N-DMS Strong's Greek 1218 |
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