Strong’s Greek 4787 describes the deliberate act of arousing collective emotion so as to set people in motion—usually toward hostile or aggressive action. The term goes beyond casual influence; it conveys organized agitation that moves an entire group as though a single body.

Scriptural Occurrence: Acts 6:12

“So they stirred up the people and elders and scribes. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.” (Acts 6:12)

Here the verb portrays a calculated campaign in Jerusalem to silence Stephen’s Spirit-filled witness. The phrase “stirred up” links the synagogue of the Freedmen, influential elders, legal scholars, and the wider populace in a unified surge of opposition.

Historical Background

• Synagogue of the Freedmen: Likely Hellenistic Jews once enslaved by Rome, now zealous to defend tradition.
• Political Climate: The memory of Jesus’ crucifixion was fresh; authorities feared further unrest (Acts 5:26).
• Legal Procedure: As with Jesus, mob agitation preceded a formal hearing before the Sanhedrin, revealing a pattern of manipulating public sentiment to justify persecution.

Theological Implications

1. Opposition to the Gospel is often orchestrated, not merely spontaneous.
2. Human scheming cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan; Stephen’s martyrdom becomes the seed of wider mission (Acts 8:1-4).
3. The verb underscores human responsibility; those who incite violence are morally accountable, even when claiming religious zeal.

Related Biblical Themes

• Evil Incitement: “A worthless person… sows discord” (Proverbs 6:12-19); Jezebel “stirred up” Ahab (1 Kings 21:25).
• Righteous Stirring: Believers are commanded to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Scripture contrasts godly provocation with sinful agitation.

Christological Echoes

The method used against Stephen mirrors that used against Christ (Luke 23:5; John 19:15). Both trials demonstrate how religious leaders manipulated crowds, yet both events advanced salvation history—Stephen’s death propelling the Church outward, Christ’s death purchasing redemption.

Lessons for the Church

• Discernment: Identify voices that inflame anger rather than exalt Christ.
• Integrity in Witness: Stephen’s example urges believers to answer hostility with Spirit-filled wisdom, not retaliation.
• Sovereign Purpose: Persecution, even when sparked by agitation, can serve as a catalyst for Gospel expansion.

Ministry Applications

1. Guard the pulpit and media platforms from rhetoric that commodifies outrage.
2. Cultivate congregational habits that “stir up” faith, hope, and love rather than suspicion.
3. Intercede for boldness and grace when civil authorities or cultural influencers incite opposition to biblical truth.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4787 captures the potent force of collective agitation. Used once in the New Testament, it frames the pivotal moment leading to Stephen’s martyrdom. The term warns against manipulative leadership, highlights God’s sovereignty over persecution, and challenges believers to channel their influence toward edifying, not inflaming, the body of Christ.