δῆμος

the people, multitude, rabble

Definition

δῆμος refers to 'the people' in a collective sense, often with a political or civic connotation. In its original Greek context, it specifically denoted the citizen body of a city-state, particularly those assembled for public decision-making. In the New Testament, this classical meaning is present, as seen in Acts 19:33 where the 'dēmos' is the formal assembly in Ephesus. However, it can also carry a more general or even pejorative sense of a 'multitude' or 'rabble,' as in Acts 12:22, where the people of Tyre and Sidon acclaim Herod, and Acts 17:5, where a hostile crowd is stirred up against Paul and Silas.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively in the Book of Acts, appearing four times. It consistently describes a gathered group of people, but the context determines its nuance. In Acts 19:30 and 19:33, it refers to the official civic assembly (the 'ekklēsia') in Ephesus, reflecting its formal political sense. In Acts 12:22 and 17:5, it describes a more spontaneous and agitated multitude, highlighting the volatile public opinion faced by the apostles.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek root δῆμος (dēmos), meaning 'district' or 'the common people.' It is the source of English words like 'democracy' (rule by the people). In classical Greece, it evolved to mean the free citizen body of a state, distinct from slaves and foreigners, which informs its usage in the New Testament.

Semantic Range

While not a central theological term, δῆμος is significant for understanding the social and political environment of the early church's mission. It illustrates the transition from engaging with formal civic structures (Acts 19) to facing mob opposition (Acts 17:5). This enriches our reading by showing how the gospel message interacted with both the institutions and the volatile crowds of the Greco-Roman world.

In the Greek world, the 'dēmos' was the body of free male citizens with political rights, a concept foundational to Greek democracy and civic identity. The New Testament usage sometimes preserves this formal sense but also applies it to any gathered crowd, reflecting the broader Koine Greek usage. This differs from a modern, purely demographic understanding of 'the people,' as it inherently carried a political or communal weight.

ὄχλος (ochlos, G3793) — a general crowd or multitude, often larger and less structured than dēmos. λαός (laos, G2992) — 'the people,' often with a collective, ethnic, or covenantal sense (e.g., the people of God).

Word Details

Scripture References