Rabble
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Rabble in the Bible?
The term rabble refers to an unruly, lawless crowd, translating the Greek word ochlos as seen in Acts 17:5, where it describes the common people who seized Jason and dragged him before the authorities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this term illuminates the social tensions in the New Testament between established civic order and the volatile, often lower-class crowds that frequently challenged authority.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Rabble. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Rabble in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Rabble clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Acts 17:5
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Rabble." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rabble/