Strong’s Greek number 5017 occurs only twice in the New Testament, each time in Acts, and always describes sudden public turmoil set off when God’s sovereign work upends human expectations. The word thereby highlights the clash between divine purpose and human resistance and serves Luke’s narrative aim of portraying the unstoppable advance of the gospel.

Semantic Range and Literary Color

The term portrays civic or military agitation rather than private anxiety. It gathers shades of riot, uproar, unrest, confused excitement—an environment loud, unpredictable, and potentially violent. Luke pairs it with modifiers (“no small,” “great”) to heighten the intensity. In classical and Jewish Greek writings it can denote revolt, uproar in a city, or panic in an army, so Luke’s readers would immediately sense danger and uncertainty whenever it appears.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Acts 12:18

“At daylight, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.” —Acts 12:18

After an angel frees Peter from the heavily guarded prison of Herod Agrippa, the watch discovers his absence. The military disturbance underscores two realities: Herod’s might is helpless against God’s intervention, and the apostle’s rescue is neither secret nor ambiguous. The uproar magnifies divine deliverance and paves the way for Herod’s judgment later in the chapter.

2. Acts 19:23

“About that time a great disturbance arose about the Way.” —Acts 19:23

In Ephesus a thriving idol-making trade collides with Paul’s preaching. The social, religious, and economic structures of the city feel threatened, and public disorder erupts. The disturbance frames the riot in the theater and demonstrates how the gospel challenges entrenched idolatry, yet ultimately prevails without the church’s reliance on violence or political power.

Historical Background and Narrative Function

• Military Honor and Accountability (Acts 12)

Roman soldiers guarding capital prisoners faced execution for dereliction of duty. The panic in the barracks reflects this high-stakes environment. Luke’s notice that the turmoil was “no small” enlarges the wonder of Peter’s escape and prepares readers for the futility of persecuting the church.

• Civic Pride and Economic Interests (Acts 19)

Ephesus prided itself on the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders. Silversmiths like Demetrius earned significant income from miniature shrines. The “great disturbance” signals how gospel truth exposes idol economies and provokes cultural backlash. Luke’s careful reporting preserves both the threat faced by believers and the restrained conduct of Christians, aligning with the apostolic ethic of peaceable witness.

Theological Insights

• God’s Sovereignty in Human Turmoil

Each disturbance reveals that human agitation cannot thwart divine purpose (Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:10). Peter escapes; the Ephesian church continues; God’s plan stands.

• The Gospel as a Catalyst of Societal Upheaval

“Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). The word’s occurrences illustrate that the proclamation of Christ disrupts false securities and exposes darkness (John 3:19–21).

• Divine Order Versus Human Confusion

While the world erupts in commotion, God grants His people inner peace (Philippians 4:6–7) and calls the church to “do all things decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Thus tarachos belongs on the world’s side of the ledger, not God’s.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Confidence Amid Cultural Upheaval

Believers facing social hostility can remember that unrest often signals gospel advance. Scripture never idealizes chaos, but assures that Christ remains Lord when turbulence arises (Hebrews 12:28).

• Peaceable Response to Hostility

Paul’s companions in Ephesus refrain from violent retaliation; they trust lawful means and divine providence. Modern ministry should imitate this restraint, refusing to repay evil for evil (Romans 12:17–21).

• Intercession for Authorities

Both narratives invite prayer for rulers and stability (1 Timothy 2:1–2). The church seeks quietness in which the word can spread, yet never compromises truth to obtain it.

Related Biblical Themes

• Old Testament Parallels

Exodus 14:24–25 records confusion in Pharaoh’s army; 1 Samuel 14:15 describes “very great panic” among Philistines. These scenes echo Luke’s portrayal and reinforce a canonical pattern: God delivers His people by sowing disorder among oppressors.

• New Testament Counterpart Vocabulary

Luke uses a cognate verb in Luke 1:12 (“troubled”) and Luke 24:38 (“Why are you troubled?”). While those verses describe inner agitation, Acts uses the noun to depict public unrest, showing the full spectrum of turmoil Christ overcomes.

Christological and Ecclesiological Dimensions

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brings peace through judgment on sin and idolatry. As the body of Christ advances, the world’s structures may shake, but this only reveals the unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:26–27). The church must therefore walk in holiness, courage, and gentleness, confident that any tarachos it encounters cannot overturn God’s eternal purposes.