The term "populace" refers to the general population or the common people within a society. In biblical contexts, the populace often plays a significant role in the unfolding of events and the reception of divine messages. The Bible provides numerous instances where the actions, beliefs, and responses of the populace are pivotal to the narrative and theological themes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the populace of Israel is frequently addressed by the prophets and leaders. The collective behavior of the people often determines the nation's fate. For example, in the book of Exodus, the Israelites, as a populace, are delivered from Egyptian bondage, highlighting God's concern for the collective suffering of His people (Exodus 3:7-10). The murmuring and rebellion of the populace during their wilderness journey demonstrate the challenges of communal faithfulness (Exodus 16:2-3; Numbers 14:1-4).

The prophets often addressed the populace directly, calling them to repentance and adherence to God's covenant. In Jeremiah 7:23, the prophet conveys God's command to the people: "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." Here, the collective responsibility of the populace is emphasized.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the populace plays a crucial role in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels frequently mention the crowds that followed Jesus, seeking healing and teaching. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus is described as having compassion on the crowds because "they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This reflects the spiritual and physical needs of the populace and Jesus' mission to address them.

The response of the populace to Jesus' message varied. While many believed and followed Him, others were swayed by religious leaders to call for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:20-23). The fickle nature of the populace is evident in these accounts, illustrating the tension between divine truth and human influence.

In the Acts of the Apostles, the early church's growth is marked by the response of the populace to the apostles' preaching. Acts 2:41 records that about three thousand were added to the believers' number in one day, indicating the powerful impact of the Gospel on the general population.

Theological Implications

The Bible's portrayal of the populace underscores the importance of communal identity and responsibility. The collective actions of the people often reflect their spiritual state and have significant consequences. The Scriptures call for the populace to seek God, adhere to His commandments, and respond to His messengers with faith and obedience.

The role of the populace in biblical narratives also highlights the tension between individual and collective responsibility. While individuals are accountable for their actions, the Bible often addresses the community as a whole, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal and communal faithfulness.

In summary, the concept of the populace in the Bible serves as a reminder of the collective nature of God's people and the importance of communal response to His divine will.(n.) The common people; the multitude, -- comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank, office, education, or profession.4128. plethos -- a great number
... company, multitude. From pletho; a fulness, ie A large number, throng, populace --
bundle, company, multitude. see GREEK pletho. (plethei) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4128.htm - 6k

2992. laos -- the people
... people. Apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from demos,
which denotes one's own populace) -- people. see GREEK demos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2992.htm - 7k

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... There have been persons in our own days, whose crimes have excited such detestation,
that the populace would probably have torn them in pieces, before, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxi messiah derided upon.htm

The 'education Question' in Trinidad
... But, like all ideals, it requires not only first- rate workmen, but first-rate material
to work on; an intelligent and high-minded populace, who can and will ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiv the education question.htm

Argument. From the Prison they are Led Forth with Joy into the ...
... The populace shuddered as they saw one young woman of delicate frame, and another
with breasts still dropping from her recent childbirth. ...
/.../chapter vi argument from the prison.htm

Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... Pretensions of this kind must have been the more provocative, that the populace
at any rate envied the prosperity which Jewish industry, talent, and capital ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm

Christian Cemeteries.
... The Romans of the first century, populace as well as government officials, made
no distinction between the proselytes of the Old Testament and those of the New ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm

Conflagration
... Had the populace, in wild grief at the loss of their Archbishop, risen against the
Emperor, and burnt to ashes the buildings on either side of the superb ...
/.../chapter lii conflagration.htm

Jesus Led Back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate.
... part of the town see him in the state of ignominy to which he was reduced, and in
the second place to give their emissaries more time to stir up the populace. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxi jesus led back.htm

Epistle Lii. To Fortunatus and his Other Colleagues, Concerning ...
... of in the persecution, and confessing the name of the Lord, had overcome the violence
of the magistracy, and the attack of a raging populace, afterwards, when ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lii to fortunatus and.htm

How Caesar Raised Banks Round About the Upper City [Mount Zion] ...
... and because the very soldiers grew weary of killing them, and because they hoped
to get some money by sparing them; for they left only the populace, and sold ...
/.../chapter 8 how caesar raised.htm

The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... in order to thrust himself into authority; and the seditious part of the people
of Gischala were under his management, by whose means the populace, who seemed ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm

Populace (5 Occurrences)
...Populace (5 Occurrences). Matthew 27:15 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the
Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired; (WEY). ...
/p/populace.htm - 7k

Popular (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (a.) Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace. 6.
(a.) Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. ...
/p/popular.htm - 7k

Nero
... subdidit reos), and afflicted with the most exquisite punishments those who were
hated for their abominations (flagitia) and called `Christians' by the populace...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)
... having made a crowd, were setting the city in an uproar; having assailed also the
house of Jason, they were seeking them to bring 'them' to the populace, (YLT). ...
/u/unbelieving.htm - 13k

Jason's (1 Occurrence)
... made a crowd, were setting the city in an uproar; having assailed also the house
of Jason, they were seeking them to bring 'them' to the populace, (See NIV). ...
/j/jason's.htm - 6k

Loungers (1 Occurrence)
... having made a crowd, were setting the city in an uproar; having assailed also the
house of Jason, they were seeking them to bring 'them' to the populace, (YLT). ...
/l/loungers.htm - 6k

Governor's (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:15 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some
one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired; (WEY NIV). ...
/g/governor's.htm - 8k

Gallio (3 Occurrences)
... by different readings to "Jews" and to "Greeks," but the incident is referred to
by the writer of Acts to show that the sympathies of the populace lay with Paul ...
/g/gallio.htm - 10k

Wished (31 Occurrences)
... they put forward Alexander -- the Jews thrusting him forward -- and Alexander having
beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace, (YLT). ...
/w/wished.htm - 15k

Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... they put forward Alexander -- the Jews thrusting him forward -- and Alexander having
beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace, (See RSV). ...
/w/wishing.htm - 13k

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