Crowd In The Mark Series

Mark 3:7-12 Jesus and the Crowd in Mark

Crowd ????? (Ochlos): The word Okolo’s is translated as Crowd (87), crowds (47), gathering (1), many (1), mob (1), multitude (3), multitudes (1), number of people (1), numbers (2), people (27) in New Testament. This word refers to, a casual collection of people; a multitude of men who have flocked together in some place, a throng (Mark 2:4; 3:9; 4:1-2, 5:21, 24; 6:34; 8:1-9, 9:14; 10:1, 12:12; 12:37; 14:43).

As we move through the Gospel of Mark Jesus continues to grow in popularity. While the Pharisees and others are trying to silence Him, crowds of people continue to flock to Jesus and follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus is getting a lot of attention, but we are also beginning to see that while many are attracted to Jesus for what He is doing, far fewer are coming to Him as true followers.

Mark helps us see that Jesus didn’t come simply to draw crowds; He didn’t come to attract fans; He came to call disciples. The great crowd heard that he had been teaching with astounding authority, healing sick people, casting out demons, and engaging in public conflict with the religious authorities–and so they came to him.

The Diversity of the Crowd (Mark 3:7b-8a) – Mark describes the diversity of the crowd – people came from all over, both Jews and Gentiles! While many are not true followers of Jesus, this passage certainly provides a glimpse of the reach of Jesus’ ministry; He came to save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Is. 49:6; Rev. 5:9-10). (Southern hills life).

The Threat of the Crowd (Mark 3:9-10): As the crowd grew, more and more people were eager to get close to Jesus to be healed. As they crowded around Jesus began to take precautions, recognizing that in their desire to get close to Him, He may be crushed.

The crowds were so numerous and so desperate to touch Jesus that He needed to have a boat ready at all times to take Him into the sea and away from the masses. Their longing for Jesus was creating a scenario of physical endangerment for Christ (John 6:54-56).

When crowds are drawn together, either by something sensational or by the offer of something free, they can be extremely difficult to handle!

Mark 9:14: Mark describes three reactions when the crowd saw Jesus coming - amazed, running, and greeting.

Mark 10:1: Two characteristics marked Jesus' ministry at this stage of his life. First, Jesus was very popular so crowds accompanied him everywhere he went. Second, Jesus taught them God's will throughout his ministry. The two most common seem to be that Jesus was a wise teacher and a social revolutionary.

Lessons from the Crowd

1. Not all who are attracted to Jesus become followers of Jesus. Mark describes many people who recognize what Jesus can do for their bodies, but who fail to recognize their greater need for spiritual healing (Mark 3: 9-12):

2. The crowd’s experience of Christianity is driven by its desire. It’s about them getting what they want. They want to touch Jesus and be blessed in some way so they can go on about their lives. The Disciples experience a whole different Christianity. Their relationship with Jesus is driven by his desire. He gets what he wants in their lives, things which often contradict their own desires.

3. During Passion Week, the crowd in Jerusalem seems to have had a major swing in opinion. the people shouting "Hosanna" when Christ arrived were not the residents of Jerusalem. The former supporters likely felt intimidated by the authority of the leaders.

4. Jesus said: ‘I have compassion on the crowd.’ Compassion meant that when faced with misery, you are moved ‘to the very guts’, and you try to help. Is this true for me? Do I care that many people are tired, anxious, unsure of the future, uncertain about what life is meant to be about?

5. The feeding of the crowds continues today. Jesus feeds us with his word and with his body and blood.

Discuss The differences between the great crowd and the twelve.

(Ref: Rooted Theology for the Un-Withered Church by Cole Newton; The Crowd and the Called By Matt Broadway; Bible Study Tools; Heart Light; Sacred Space, Dictionaries).