Who Are "The Common People"?

[Richard Aberdeen]

What is translated in most versions of the New Testament as "common people", means "crowd" in Greek. However, the vast majority of the "crowd" who followed Jesus around were most likely regular average people, rather than the elite of society.

The religious leaders often hung nearby because they were trying to trick and trap Jesus into saying something they could use to accuse him. Thus the "crowd" who responded overwhelmingly positive to Jesus, does not refer to them. In Acts 26:22 and Romans 12:16, what is translated as "common people" means "lowly" people in Greek. "The Jews" refers to the religious leaders, not to all Jews, as is often the excuse for horrific persecution of Jewish populations.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica article "Judaism", the average people of the time slightly before the birth of Jesus (and most likely also during the life of Jesus) had come to hate the religious leaders. This may well explain why the "crowd" "heard Jesus gladly", while they had ceased to listen to or obey their religious leaders. Jesus often makes sarcastic sport of the conservative religious leaders of his time, which may be why the common people heard him gladly.

Compare today, where many 'churches' are going bankrupt because nobody wants to hear their twisted nonsense, while Jesus doesn't appear to have a conservative bone in his body. If the common average people do not respond positively to your message, then whatever is being promoted is most likely at odds with the real First Century Jesus, who could hold the "crowd" in rapt attention for days on end.

 

[ScottA]

What is translated in most versions of the New Testament as "common people", means "crowd" in Greek. However, the vast majority of the "crowd" who followed Jesus around were most likely regular average people, rather than the elite of society.

The religious leaders often hung nearby because they were trying to trick and trap Jesus into saying something they could use to accuse him. Thus the "crowd" who responded overwhelmingly positive to Jesus, does not refer to them. In Acts 26:22 and Romans 12:16, what is translated as "common people" means "lowly" people in Greek. "The Jews" refers to the religious leaders, not to all Jews, as is often the excuse for horrific persecution of Jewish populations.

According to Encyclopedia Britannica article "Judaism", the average people of the time slightly before the birth of Jesus (and most likely also during the life of Jesus) had come to hate the religious leaders. This may well explain why the "crowd" "heard Jesus gladly", while they had ceased to listen to or obey their religious leaders. Jesus often makes sarcastic sport of the conservative religious leaders of his time, which may be why the common people heard him gladly.

Compare today, where many 'churches' are going bankrupt because nobody wants to hear their twisted nonsense, while Jesus doesn't appear to have a conservative bone in his body. If the common average people do not respond positively to your message, then whatever is being promoted is most likely at odds with the real First Century Jesus, who could hold the "crowd" in rapt attention for days on end.

You make some good points, but do remember the crowd also turned against Jesus, yelling "Crucify him!"

Then you make a peculiar statement and claim that "Jesus doesn't appear to have a conservative bone in his body." That sounds like a personal bias. Extreme personal bias. Jesus was indeed conservative--His every word and act was calculated and ordered--and He also spoke harshly, even whipping some and turning over the tables of those who made a mockery for their own gain of what was also supposed to be conservatively ordered.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

You make some good points, but do remember the crowd also turned against Jesus, yelling "Crucify him!"

Then you make a peculiar statement and claim that "Jesus doesn't appear to have a conservative bone in his body." That sounds like a personal bias. Extreme personal bias. Jesus was indeed conservative--His every word and act was calculated and ordered--and He also spoke harshly, even whipping some and turning over the tables of those who made a mockery for their own gain of what was also supposed to be conservatively ordered.

The crowd didn't do that on their own. The religious leaders stirred up the crowd by making false accusations against Jesus.

 

[ScottA]

The crowd didn't do that on their own. The religious leaders stirred up the crowd by making false accusations against Jesus.

As far as the religious leaders are concerned, that much is true of them. But as for the crowd, many joined the religious leaders to follow them against Christ, which they did not have to do. It was a choice.

 

[Rockerduck]

Jesus made it a point to call to Himself the most disrespected of society. All the worst sinners, and don't forget fisherman were low class too.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 that none of us were called for being wise or mighty or noble.

Jesus told a parable about the Wedding feast in Matthew 22:10-So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was full.

In the parable of the Great Supper; Luke 14:21 -So that servant came and reported these things to his master, then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame, and the blind.

Yes the crowds were common people and those going to heaven are common people.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

As far as the religious leaders are concerned, that much is true of them. But as for the crowd, many joined the religious leaders to follow them against Christ, which they did not have to do. It was a choice.

I am not excusing them, just pointing out what the NT says. It says they "stirred up the people". We have plenty of examples of this today, where a crowd of people is easily stirred up. Just look at a Trump rally or a crowd blindly chanting "USA, USA"; many in such a crowd probably nothing about other countries while pretending the U.S. is the best. Such sheep-like blindness is common among crowds of people.

On the cross, Jesus says "father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

 

[ScottA]

I am not excusing them, just pointing out what the NT says. It says they "stirred up the people". We have plenty of examples of this today, where a crowd of people is easily stirred up. Just look at a Trump rally or a crowd blindly chanting "USA, USA"; many in such a crowd probably nothing about other countries while pretending the U.S. is the best. Such sheep-like blindness is common among crowds of people.

On the cross, Jesus says "father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

It is as I expected--you are merely ranting a POLITICAL pet peeve. And the reason I am calling you on it is because you obviously don't know you are rooting for the enemy. But these are the times of the Holy Spirit, so forgiveness will not come to all offenders.

You have been warned.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

It is as I expected--you are merely ranting a POLITICAL pet peeve. And the reason I am calling you on it is because you obviously don't know you are rooting for the enemy. But these are the times of the Holy Spirit, so forgiveness will not come to all offenders.

You have been warned.

Trump is a clear and present danger to both the United States and the rest of the world. Inside reports claim he had to be talked out of accessing the nuclear codes. The Trump agenda is the opposite of the teaching of Jesus. If you have read the four narratives of Jesus, you should know better. Jesus warns us in Matthew 25 about not welcoming immigrants and not helping the sick and poor. The Trump agenda has greatly harmed those who Jesus expressly warns us to help.

 

[Rockerduck]

Trump is a clear and present danger to both the United States and the rest of the world. Inside reports claim he had to be talked out of accessing the nuclear codes. The Trump agenda is the opposite of the teaching of Jesus. If you have read the four narratives of Jesus, you should know better. Jesus warns us in Matthew 25 about not welcoming immigrants and not helping the sick and poor. The Trump agenda has greatly harmed those who Jesus expressly warns us to help.

You are in the world talking politics and comparing what Jesus said to you in the world. Romans 12:2 states do not be apart of the world. You have one choice, accept Jesus and stay out of the world or stay in bed with the devil. Take your pick. Anyone talking politics is in bed with this world, because instead of Praising Jesus, they prefer the world. Let God control the President, because God put him there.

 

[ScottA]

Trump is a clear and present danger to both the United States and the rest of the world. Inside reports claim he had to be talked out of accessing the nuclear codes. The Trump agenda is the opposite of the teaching of Jesus. If you have read the four narratives of Jesus, you should know better. Jesus warns us in Matthew 25 about not welcoming immigrants and not helping the sick and poor. The Trump agenda has greatly harmed those who Jesus expressly warns us to help.

Not true. You don't know what you are talking about, biblically, or otherwise.

Like I said, you have been warned. Biblically.

 

[lforrest]

You make some good points, but do remember the crowd also turned against Jesus, yelling "Crucify him!"

Then you make a peculiar statement and claim that "Jesus doesn't appear to have a conservative bone in his body." That sounds like a personal bias. Extreme personal bias. Jesus was indeed conservative--His every word and act was calculated and ordered--and He also spoke harshly, even whipping some and turning over the tables of those who made a mockery for their own gain of what was also supposed to be conservatively ordered.

I remember hearing of an account of the crowd at the persecution of Jesus. There were people in the crowd bribed by the religious leaders to stur up a mob against Jesus. Nothing new under the sun again today.

 

[ScottA]

I remember hearing of an account of the crowd at the persecution of Jesus. There were people in the crowd bribed by the religious leaders to stur up a mob against Jesus. Nothing new under the sun again today.

THANK YOU! Yes, nothing new!

 

[markalan]

What is translated in most versions of the New Testament as "common people", means "crowd" in Greek. However, the vast majority of the "crowd" who followed Jesus around were most likely regular average people, rather than the elite of society.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

You are in the world talking politics and comparing what Jesus said to you in the world. Romans 12:2 states do not be apart of the world. You have one choice, accept Jesus and stay out of the world or stay in bed with the devil. Take your pick. Anyone talking politics is in bed with this world, because instead of Praising Jesus, they prefer the world. Let God control the President, because God put him there.

You need to actually read Matthew 25 and the rest of what Jesus says about helping the sick, poor, immigrants and the otherwise oppressed. Both the Old and New Testament expressly teach that nations and individuals should be helping immigrants, the poor, the sick and the oppressed, not taking funding from them like wicked GOP does. Why are you lying about what the Bible clearly says? If you don't know where the Bible teaches nations should help the poor and needy, see here: www.freedomtracks.com/random/15.html

Helping immigrants, the sick and the poor is not "talking points". It is what Jesus commands his followers to do.

 

[Rockerduck]

You need to actually read Matthew 25 and the rest of what Jesus says about helping the sick, poor, immigrants and the otherwise oppressed. Both the Old and New Testament expressly teach that nations and individuals should be helping immigrants, the poor, the sick and the oppressed, not taking funding from them like wicked GOP does. Why are you lying about what the Bible clearly says? If you don't know where the Bible teaches nations should help the poor and needy, see here: www.freedomtracks.com/random/15.html

Helping immigrants, the sick and the poor is not "talking points". It is what Jesus commands his followers to do.

I've read the whole bible over and over and studied Matthew 24-25 and revelation. Jesus said the same thing and taught the Apostle Paul about not being a part of the this world, when Jesus said the Kingdom of God is at hand. The rules changed at Pentecost. The "Way" became separate from the world and you could not deny Christ and many were executed for the same reason. I was a part of a prison ministry and an ordained minster to the poor. No gov't help, we were not part of the world and separate from gov't. Stay out of the world, make your choice.