Original Word: συστροφή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: sustrophé
Pronunciation: soos-trof-ay'
Phonetic Spelling: (soos-trof-ay')
KJV: + band together, concourse
NASB: disorderly gathering
Word Origin: [from G4962 (συστρέφω - gathered)]

1. a twisting together
2. (figuratively) a secret coalition, riotous crowd

mob, riotous crowd

From sustrepho; a twisting together, i.e. (figuratively) a secret coalition, riotous crowd -- + band together, concourse.

see GREEK sustrepho

Word Origin
from sustrephó
Definition
a twisting together, hence a concourse or conspiracy
NASB Translation
disorderly gathering (1).

STRONGS NT 4963: συστροφή

συστροφή, συστροφῆς, ἡ (συστρέφω);

a. a twisting up together, a binding together.

b. a secret combination, a coalition, conspiracy: Acts 23:12 (Psalm 63:3 (); (2 Kings 15:15; Amos 7:10)); a concourse of disorderly persons, a riot (Polybius 4, 34, 6), Acts 19:40.

Definition and Conceptual Range

The term identifies a sudden gathering or twisting together of people for a seditious or violent purpose. In Scripture it can describe either a disorderly riot or a secret plot formed by oath-bound conspirators.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Acts 19:40 – applied to the mob in Ephesus that threatened public order after the silversmiths’ uprising against Paul’s ministry.
2. Acts 23:12 – used of the forty Jews who “formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul”.

Historical Background in Acts

Acts 19 records civic unrest in Ephesus, a Roman free city renowned for its temple of Artemis. The city clerk warns that Roman authorities could prosecute them for illegal assembly, a charge Rome treated with severity. The episode illustrates how the gospel challenged idolatrous economics, provoking social upheaval but ultimately exposing the instability of pagan society.

Acts 23 portrays a religiously motivated cabal in Jerusalem seeking Paul’s death. Although ostensibly pious, their oath shows how zeal divorced from truth degenerates into murderous intrigue. Roman law again restrains violence, highlighting God’s providence in using secular authority to protect His servant.

Theological Themes

Order versus chaos – God “is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Riots and conspiracies embody the rebellion that resists divine order.

Providence – both narratives reveal the Lord steering hostile assemblies to fulfill His redemptive plan for Paul to witness in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Witness amid hostility – the presence of σύστροφη underscores that gospel advance often triggers unpredictable opposition, yet faithful testimony continues.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Anticipate backlash: faithful proclamation can disturb entrenched cultural or religious systems (John 15:18-20).
• Maintain integrity: Paul never repaid conspiracy with conspiracy; he relied on lawful appeal and divine protection (Acts 25:11).
• Promote peace: believers are called to “pursue what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19) and avoid participation in riotous behavior (Galatians 5:19-21).
• Trust God’s sovereignty: plots cannot thwart divine purpose (Psalm 2:1-4).

Related Biblical Concepts

Conspiracy – 2 Samuel 15:13; Jeremiah 11:9.

Mob violence – Judges 19:22-26; Matthew 27:20-25.

Civil authority restraining disorder – Romans 13:1-4; Acts 19:35-41.

Divine preservation of His servants – Genesis 50:20; Daniel 6:22; 2 Corinthians 1:10.

Conclusion

Strong’s 4963 highlights the recurring biblical tension between godly mission and human unrest. Whether manifest as an open riot or a hidden plot, such opposition cannot overturn the sovereign purposes of God, who calls His people to steady faith, lawful conduct, and courageous witness.

συνέσφιγξε συνέσφιγξεν συστροφαί συστροφάς συστροφή συστροφην συστροφήν συστροφὴν συστροφης συστροφής συστροφῆς συσφίγξεις sustrophen sustrophēn sustrophes sustrophēs systrophen systrophēn systrophḕn systrophes systrophês systrophēs systrophē̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts