The term "thronged" refers to a large, densely packed crowd or multitude of people. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the gatherings around Jesus during His ministry, as people sought His teaching, healing, and miracles. The presence of throngs highlights the widespread interest and urgency with which people approached Jesus, reflecting both His growing popularity and the pressing needs of the people.

Biblical Instances:

1. Mark 5:24 : "So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him." This passage describes the scene as Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus' daughter. The crowd's pressing presence indicates their eagerness to witness or receive miracles from Jesus. The thronging of the crowd sets the stage for the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, who touched Jesus' garment amidst the multitude.

2. Luke 8:42 : "As Jesus went, the people pressed around Him." Similar to the account in Mark, this verse underscores the intensity of the crowd's desire to be near Jesus. The pressing crowd is a testament to the hope and desperation of those seeking divine intervention in their lives.

3. Mark 3:9 : "And He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush Him." Here, the thronging of the crowd is so intense that Jesus takes precautionary measures to avoid being overwhelmed. This illustrates the physical demands and challenges of His ministry due to the sheer number of people seeking His presence.

Theological Significance:

The thronging of crowds around Jesus is significant for several reasons. It demonstrates the magnetic nature of His ministry, drawing people from all walks of life. The crowds often included the sick, the curious, the skeptical, and the faithful, each bringing their own needs and expectations. This diverse gathering underscores the universal appeal of Jesus' message and the hope He offered to a broken world.

Moreover, the throngs serve as a backdrop for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles, providing context for His interactions with individuals. The pressing crowds often led to moments of profound personal encounter, as seen in the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) and the calling of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the first-century Jewish context, large gatherings were not uncommon, especially around religious festivals or significant events. However, the consistent thronging around Jesus was unique, as it was not limited to specific times or places. This constant presence of crowds highlights the extraordinary nature of Jesus' ministry and the deep spiritual hunger of the people.

The thronging also posed logistical challenges, as seen in the need for Jesus to teach from a boat (Mark 4:1) or retreat to solitary places for prayer (Luke 5:16). Despite these challenges, Jesus' compassion for the crowds is evident, as He often took time to teach, heal, and minister to them, seeing them as "sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34).

In summary, the concept of being "thronged" in the biblical narrative emphasizes the compelling draw of Jesus' ministry and the profound impact He had on those who encountered Him. The crowds serve as a testament to the transformative power of His presence and the deep longing for redemption and healing among the people.(imp. & p. p.) of Throng.

Particulars
... and much people followed him and thronged him, Mark. and from St. Luke
it appears, that a multitude thronged and pressed him. ...
/.../section ii particulars.htm

The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... with his doctrine. He could speak anywhere"even along the crowded
thoroughfare, where the multitudes thronged him. He went down ...
/.../the masters professionthe disciples pursuit.htm

With Jairus
... And He went with him; and a great multitude followed Him, and they thronged Him. ...
As Jesus went with him, a great multitude followed Him, and they thronged Him. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 21-43 with jairus.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... IF the dust of ten centuries could have been wiped from the eyelids of those sleepers,
and one of them who thronged Jerusalem in the highday of its glory ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Manifold Struggles
... of attendant pages, and eunuchs of every age and of every race, walked in sumptuous
procession before and behind, through streets thronged with thousands of ...
/.../chapter xxii manifold struggles.htm

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
... to the ambo from which he spoke. Worse than this, the surging multitude which
always thronged St. Sophia to be thrilled by the Patriarch's ...
/.../chapter xxxvii the world the.htm

The Last Journey from Galilee
... Judea. Here the multitude thronged His steps, as in His early ministry
in Galilee, and much of His former teaching was repeated. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 53 the last journey.htm

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... word of blessing multiplied the scanty provision, brought, it might be accidentally,
by a lad in the company of those five thousand who had thronged to hear Him ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 16 synagogues their origin.htm

The Great Awakening.
... His incomparable eloquence thronged the parish churches, until the churches were
closed against him, and the Bishop of London warned the people against him in ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xi the great awakening.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... One personal, intentional touch of the hem of Christ's garment conveys more blessing
than all the pressure of the crowd that thronged about the Master. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

Thronged (5 Occurrences)
...Thronged (5 Occurrences). Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed
him, and thronged him. ... But as he went the people thronged him. ...
/t/thronged.htm - 8k

Throng (21 Occurrences)
... 7. (a.) Thronged; crowded; also, much occupied; busy. Multi-Version Concordance ... But
as he went the people thronged him. (Root in KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/t/throng.htm - 12k

Frequent (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Addicted to any course of conduct; inclined to indulge in any practice;
habitual; persistent. 3. (n.) Full; crowded; thronged. ...
/f/frequent.htm - 11k

Thronging (5 Occurrences)

/t/thronging.htm - 7k

Dense (11 Occurrences)
... darkness be! (WEY). Mark 5:24 And Jesus went with him. And a dense crowd
followed Him, and thronged Him on all sides. (WEY). Luke 8 ...
/d/dense.htm - 9k

Mart (2 Occurrences)
... No doubt, the central place soon filling up, the people thronged the adjoining streets,
and so in time each street thus used came to be called agora ...
/m/mart.htm - 11k

Marketplace (8 Occurrences)
... No doubt, the central place soon filling up, the people thronged the adjoining streets,
and so in time each street thus used came to be called agora ...
/m/marketplace.htm - 13k

Market (24 Occurrences)
... No doubt, the central place soon filling up, the people thronged the adjoining streets,
and so in time each street thus used came to be called agora ...
/m/market.htm - 19k

Alive (166 Occurrences)
... alive. 3. (a.) Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings;
swarming; thronged. 4. (a.) Sprightly; lively; brisk. 5 ...
/a/alive.htm - 38k

Swarm (26 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. 8.
(vi) To abound; to be filled (with). 9. (vi) To breed multitudes. 10. ...
/s/swarm.htm - 15k

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Thronged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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