Murmuring: Against: Disciples of Christ
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Topical Encyclopedia
Murmuring, in the biblical context, refers to the act of grumbling, complaining, or expressing discontent, often in a subdued or secretive manner. This behavior is frequently addressed in Scripture, particularly in relation to the followers of Jesus Christ, the Disciples, who faced murmuring from various groups during their ministry.

Biblical Instances of Murmuring Against the Disciples

1. Murmuring by the Pharisees and Scribes: The religious leaders of the time often murmured against Jesus and His disciples. In Luke 5:30 , it is recorded, "But the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against His disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'" This murmuring stemmed from the disciples' association with those considered unclean or sinful by the religious elite, challenging the prevailing social and religious norms.

2. Murmuring Among the Jews: In John 6:41-43 , the Jews murmured about Jesus' teachings, particularly His claim to be the "bread that came down from heaven." Jesus addressed their murmuring directly, saying, "Stop grumbling among yourselves." This instance highlights the resistance and skepticism faced by Jesus and His followers as they proclaimed the Gospel.

3. Murmuring Within the Early Church: Acts 6:1 describes a situation where murmuring arose within the early Christian community: "In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenistic Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food." This internal murmuring prompted the apostles to appoint deacons to ensure fair distribution and maintain unity within the church.

Theological Implications

Murmuring against the disciples often reflected a deeper spiritual resistance to the transformative message of the Gospel. It revealed the tension between the new covenant established through Christ and the established religious traditions. The disciples, as representatives of Christ, faced opposition not only from external sources but also from within the burgeoning Christian community.

Murmuring as a Spiritual Challenge

From a theological perspective, murmuring is seen as a challenge to faith and obedience. It often arises from a lack of understanding or acceptance of God's will and purposes. The murmuring against the disciples serves as a reminder of the human tendency to resist change and cling to familiar structures, even when confronted with divine truth.

Response to Murmuring

The biblical response to murmuring is rooted in patience, teaching, and the demonstration of God's love and truth. The disciples, following the example of Christ, addressed murmuring with clarity and compassion, seeking to correct misunderstandings and guide believers toward a deeper faith. The early church's response to internal murmuring, as seen in Acts 6, underscores the importance of practical solutions and leadership in maintaining unity and addressing grievances.

In summary, murmuring against the disciples of Christ is a recurring theme in the New Testament, illustrating the challenges faced by early Christians in spreading the Gospel. It serves as a cautionary example of the obstacles to faith and the necessity of addressing discontent with wisdom and grace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 7:2
For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 5:30
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 6:2
And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do you that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Narrative Concerning the Prince of the Edessenes.
... was also numbered among the seventy disciples of Christ ... a preacher and evangelist
of the teaching of Christ. ... heard that the Jews are murmuring against thee and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii narrative concerning the prince.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... the Jewish converts were subject, is common to the disciples of Christ to the ... the
latter case, the Israelites were guilty of murmuring against God, because ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

The Pharisees' Sabbath and Christ's
... Pharisee, 'And what has that to do with our charge against your disciples?' when
it was ... Their murmuring came not from more religion, but from less love. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the pharisees sabbath and christs.htm

The Seven Deacons
... their spiritual leaders, and so "there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against
the Hebrews ... as they were united with Christ could the disciples hope to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 9 the seven deacons.htm

Acts v. 34
... and preach Jesus Christ. (v.41, 42.) And in those days, when the number of the
disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv acts v 34.htm

Rejoicing in the Lord
... of Satan and dishonor God by distrusting Him and murmuring against Him. ... In His Sermon
on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples precious lessons in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 13 rejoicing in the.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... and we are told that "there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews ...
When the disciples were scattered abroad by the persecution which arose ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

Acts VI
... Church, by the cessation of recent murmuring, and the ... This is the first time the
disciples measured the ... which learning and ingenuity might frame against them. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

"We must Increase, but I must Decrease. "
... baptizing, and gathering a school of disciples." But there was ... as the dear gift of
Christ, to be ... lest thou be convicted of murmuring against the appointment of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ix we must increase but.htm

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
... is willing that His servants be spoken against that they ... Christ commanded His disciples
to preach the Gospel to ... It begins with gentle murmuring, then it utters ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/savonarola the ascension of.htm

Resources
What is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.org

What is the flesh? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Murmuring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Murmuring

Murmuring of Israelites Against Moses

Murmuring: Aaron

Murmuring: Against God

Murmuring: Against: Christ

Murmuring: Against: Disciples of Christ

Murmuring: Against: God

Murmuring: Against: Ministers of God

Murmuring: Against: The Service of God

Murmuring: Against: The Sovereignty of God

Murmuring: Asaph

Murmuring: Cain

Murmuring: Characteristic of the Wicked

Murmuring: David

Murmuring: Disciples

Murmuring: Elijah

Murmuring: Forbidden

Murmuring: Grecians

Murmuring: Guilt of Encouraging Others In

Murmuring: Hezekiah

Murmuring: Illustrated

Murmuring: Israelites

Murmuring: Jeremiah

Murmuring: Jews

Murmuring: Jews, Against Jesus

Murmuring: Job

Murmuring: Jonah

Murmuring: Korah

Murmuring: Moses

Murmuring: Pharisees

Murmuring: Provokes God

Murmuring: Punishment of

Murmuring: Rachel

Murmuring: Saints Cease From

Murmuring: Solomon

Murmuring: Tempts God

Murmuring: Unreasonableness of

Related Terms

Grudge (11 Occurrences)

Whispering (7 Occurrences)

Muttering (3 Occurrences)

Pur (3 Occurrences)

Complaints (6 Occurrences)

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

Murmurings (8 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Nay (92 Occurrences)

Officers (171 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Leadeth (42 Occurrences)

Leading (101 Occurrences)

Grecian (3 Occurrences)

Grumbling (13 Occurrences)

Guards (42 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Widespread (2 Occurrences)

Fortitude (5 Occurrences)

Fix (36 Occurrences)

Taberah (2 Occurrences)

Denaries (6 Occurrences)

Deceives (14 Occurrences)

Dannah (1 Occurrence)

Deceiveth (8 Occurrences)

Massah (5 Occurrences)

Murmurers (3 Occurrences)

Moan (13 Occurrences)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Murmured (21 Occurrences)

Ministration (33 Occurrences)

Patient (34 Occurrences)

Babble (1 Occurrence)

Contrary (77 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Seize (91 Occurrences)

Satiety (12 Occurrences)

Flourish (26 Occurrences)

Hellenistic (2 Occurrences)

Hebraic (1 Occurrence)

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)

Grecians (4 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Crowds (62 Occurrences)

Multitudes (72 Occurrences)

Parable (52 Occurrences)

Indeed (628 Occurrences)

Higgaion (2 Occurrences)

Caused (468 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Chief (696 Occurrences)

James (40 Occurrences)

Arrest (22 Occurrences)

Priests (451 Occurrences)

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Murmuring: Against: Christ
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