Lexical Summary pampléthei: Multitude, crowd, great number Original Word: παμπλήθει Strong's Exhaustive Concordance all togetherDative case (adverb) of a compound of pas and plethos; in full multitude, i.e. Concertedly or simultaneously -- all at once. see GREEK pas see GREEK plethos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pas and pléthos Definition with the whole multitude NASB Translation all together (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3826: παμπληθείπαμπληθεί (T WH πανπληθεί (cf. WH's Appendix, p. 150)), adverb (from the adjective παμπληθής, which is from πᾶς and πλῆθος), with the whole multitude, all together, one and all: Luke 23:18 (Dio Cassius, 75, 9, 1). (Cf. Winer's Grammar, § 16, 4 B. a.) STRONGS NT 3826: πανπληθείπανπληθεί, see παμπληθεί. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance of the Term in Biblical Usage Strong’s Greek 3826 describes the spontaneous, unanimous cry of a gathered multitude. The expression paints a single, collective voice, leaving no room for dissent. In Scripture this unified sound becomes the instrument through which a crowd exerts decisive influence, whether for good or, as in its lone New Testament appearance, for grave injustice. Sole New Testament Occurrence Luke 23:18 records the term at the climactic moment of Jesus’ trial before Pilate: “But they all cried out in unison, ‘Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!’ ” (Berean Standard Bible). Luke’s deliberate use of the word highlights that the people spoke “in unison,” underscoring three realities: 1. No minority voice was noted—collective pressure overrode individual conscience. Historical Setting of Luke 23:18 Passover brought vast numbers of pilgrims to Jerusalem. Pilate’s custom of releasing a prisoner (Luke 23:17) allowed the prefect to curry favor with the populace. The chief priests stirred the throng (Mark 15:11), turning a judicial formality into a referendum on Jesus. The sudden, unified outcry—captured by 3826—stripped Pilate of political advantage, compelling him to placate the masses. The Roman governor’s capitulation reveals the potency of a single, concerted voice within first-century civic life. Corporate Rejection of the Messiah The unanimous demand, “Away with this man!” displays collective sin. While individual actors—Pilate, Herod, the soldiers—each bear responsibility, Luke 23:18 shows society itself consenting to wrongful condemnation. Scripture often portrays sin corporately (Genesis 11:4; Judges 21:25). Here that theme reaches its apex: humanity as a body rejects its Savior, preferring a murderer (Barabbas) over the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14–15). Fulfilment of Prophecy and the Sovereign Plan of Redemption The crowd’s accord, though wicked, was not outside God’s design. Peter later affirms that Jesus was “handed over by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23). The unanimous cry became the means by which the Passover Lamb would be slain (1 Corinthians 5:7). Thus 3826 marks the intersection of human culpability and divine purpose. Contrasting Voices: Unison for Evil and Unison for Good Scripture contrasts the mob at Calvary with later scenes where believers lift a single, holy voice: The same phenomenon of unified speech, when yielded to the Spirit, advances the gospel; when driven by flesh, it persecutes the righteous. Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. Discernment over Consensus – Pastors and congregations must weigh popular sentiment against revealed truth (Galatians 1:10). Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Beware the sway of crowd emotion; measure every collective impulse by Scripture. Summary Strong’s Greek 3826 preserves the moment when an entire crowd spoke as one, rejecting Jesus and choosing Barabbas. The term exposes the danger of ungodly consensus yet, by contrast, invites believers to seek a sanctified oneness that glorifies Christ. Forms and Transliterations παμπληθεί παμπληθεὶ πανπληθει πανπληθεὶ pamplethei pampletheì pamplēthei pamplētheìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |