Crowding, in the biblical context, often refers to the physical gathering of large numbers of people, typically around a central figure or event. This phenomenon is frequently observed in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, where Jesus' ministry attracted multitudes seeking healing, teaching, and miracles.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not explicitly focus on the concept of crowding as seen in the New Testament, gatherings of people are evident in various narratives. For example, during the festivals and feasts, such as Passover, large crowds would assemble in Jerusalem (Exodus 23:14-17). These gatherings were significant for communal worship and remembrance of God's deliverance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, crowding is a recurring theme in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels frequently describe how large crowds followed Jesus, drawn by His teachings and miraculous works.

1. Jesus' Ministry: The Gospels record numerous instances where Jesus was surrounded by crowds. In Matthew 4:25, it is noted, "Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan followed Him." These gatherings were often so large that Jesus had to find creative ways to address them, such as teaching from a boat (Mark 4:1).

2. Miracles and Healings: Crowds often gathered in anticipation of witnessing or receiving miracles. In Mark 5:24, as Jesus went with Jairus to heal his daughter, "a large crowd followed and pressed around Him." This pressing crowd is also where the woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch Jesus' garment, resulting in her healing (Mark 5:27-29).

3. Feeding of the Multitudes: One of the most notable instances of crowding is the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). This event highlights not only the physical presence of the crowd but also Jesus' compassion and provision.

4. Triumphal Entry: During Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, crowds gathered to welcome Him, laying down palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9). This event fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 and demonstrated the crowd's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.

5. Post-Resurrection: After Jesus' resurrection, the early church also experienced crowding. On the day of Pentecost, a large crowd gathered, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day (Acts 2:41). This marked the beginning of the church's rapid growth and the spread of the Gospel.

Theological Implications

Crowding in the biblical narrative often signifies the drawing power of Jesus' message and the Kingdom of God. It reflects the human desire for truth, healing, and hope. The presence of crowds also underscores the accessibility of Jesus' ministry to all people, regardless of social or economic status. However, it also presents challenges, such as the need for discernment among the followers and the potential for misunderstanding Jesus' mission.

Practical Applications

For contemporary believers, the concept of crowding can serve as a reminder of the importance of community and fellowship in the Christian faith. It encourages believers to gather for worship, teaching, and mutual support, reflecting the early church's practices. Additionally, it challenges Christians to be mindful of the motivations behind seeking Jesus, ensuring that their pursuit is rooted in genuine faith and a desire for spiritual growth.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Crowd.4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be ...
... to be seized (by illness) NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), controls (1), covered
(1), crowding (1), devoting...completely (1), distressed (1), gripped (1), hard ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4912.htm - 7k6862. tsar -- narrow, tight
... narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, ie Trouble); also a pebble
(as in tsor); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding) -- adversary, afflicted ...
/hebrew/6862.htm - 6k

February the Sixteenth Crowding Out God
... FEBRUARY The Sixteenth CROWDING OUT GOD. "Lest thou forget." "Deuteronomy
4:5-13. That is surely the worst affront we can put upon anybody. ...
/.../february the sixteenth crowding out.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... Crowding forms and cries of terror filled the darkness. The young Vergilius kept
his place after the first outbreak. ... The crowding group moved like caving sand. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

To those who had not Attended the Assembly.
... Now in the market place where there is so much turmoil and crowding, and scorching
wind, how is it that you do not make suffocation and heat an excuse for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to those who had not.htm

The Olivet Message.
... For that young man to be wide-awake, a pusher in business, and yet steadily,
determinedly to hold back any crowding of the other side of his life: the inner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year
... FEBRUARY The Fifteenth THE WITNESS OF YESTERDAY. FEBRUARY The Sixteenth CROWDING
OUT GOD. FEBRUARY The Seventeenth BLESSINGS AND CURSINGS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/

"Love that Passeth Knowledge. "
... his heart. If we really make people believe that God loves them, how we
should find them crowding into the kingdom of heaven! The ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter i love that passeth.htm

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
... things down here. These thoughts will come crowding in upon us. Now here
is some light. All the questions are not answered. But there ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/v an advance step in the.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... Once only in the course of the malady he seemed to lose consciousness, when he
complained of forty young men crowding around the bed to steal away his body. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

The Invisible Patriarch
... St. Antony, over a hundred years old, was on his deathbed. His monks, crowding around
the dying Saint, groaned over the evil days that had befallen the Church. ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 8 the invisible patriarch.htm

Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel.
... 1. Just as the skill of a master artist is discovered in the objects which he leaves
out of his picture (the amateur crowding in everything on to the canvass ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from marks.htm

Crowding (9 Occurrences)
... n.) of Crowd. Multi-Version Concordance Crowding (9 Occurrences). ... Mark 15:8 So the
people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour. (WEY). ...
/c/crowding.htm - 8k

Jostle (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To run against and shake; to push out of the way;
to elbow; to hustle; to disturb by crowding; to crowd against. ...
/j/jostle.htm - 7k

Crowded (10 Occurrences)

/c/crowded.htm - 9k

Crowd (166 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:21 When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast multitude
came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the Lake, (Root in WEY DBY ...
/c/crowd.htm - 35k

Vast (54 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 5:21 When Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the other side, a vast
multitude came crowding to Him; and He was on the shore of the Lake, (WEY). ...
/v/vast.htm - 22k

Usual (13 Occurrences)
... teaching them. (Root in WEB WEY). Mark 15:8 So the people came crowding up,
asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour. (WEY NIV). Luke ...
/u/usual.htm - 10k

Grant (87 Occurrences)
... prepared." (See RSV NIV). Mark 15:8 So the people came crowding up, asking
Pilate to grant them the usual favour. (WEY). Luke 1:74 ...
/g/grant.htm - 31k

Wedge (3 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To force or drive as a wedge is driven. 8. (vt) To force by crowding
and pushing as a wedge does; as, to wedge one's way. ...
/w/wedge.htm - 10k

Favour (171 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Favour (171 Occurrences). Mark 15:8 So the people came
crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour. (WEY). ...
/f/favour.htm - 37k

Throng (21 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To crowd into; to fill closely by crowding or pressing into, as a hall or
a street. 7. (a.) Thronged; crowded; also, much occupied; busy. ...
/t/throng.htm - 12k

How big is heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Crowding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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