“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.
Parallel Translations
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“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.
You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.
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Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
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Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to pervert justice;
neither shalt thou favour a poor man in his cause.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
Commandments (2)
The laws of the Torah, each cited and shown as a primary source.
Cross-references (38)
- Proverbs 1:10-11 (v2) My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lay in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent…
- Proverbs 1:15 (v2) My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,
- Luke 23:23-24 (v2) But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.…
- Leviticus 19:15 (vv2–3) “ ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your…
- Job 31:34 (v2) because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn’t go out of the door—
Show all 36 cross-references
- Matthew 27:24-26 (v2) So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before…
- James 3:17 (v3) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and…
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (vv2–3) You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for…
- Exodus 23:6-7 (v2) “You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. “Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and…
- 1 Kings 19:10 (v2) He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your…
- Psalms 82:2-3 (v3) “How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” “Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights…
- Exodus 32:1-5 (v2) When the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him,…
- Numbers 14:1-10 (v2) All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. All the children of Israel murmured against Moses…
- Joshua 24:15 (v2) If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the…
- Proverbs 4:14 (v2) Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
- Mark 15:15 (v2) Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
- Luke 23:51 (v2) (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom:
- John 7:50-51 (v2) Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him…
- Genesis 6:12 (v2) God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
- Genesis 19:4 (v2) But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every…
- Genesis 19:7-9 (v2) He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t act so wickedly. See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you…
- Psalms 72:2 (v2) He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
- Jeremiah 37:15 (v2) The princes were angry with Jeremiah, and struck him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the…
- Jeremiah 37:21 (v2) Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard. They gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the…
- Jeremiah 38:5-6 (v2) Zedekiah the king said, “Behold, he is in your hand; for the king can’t do anything to oppose you.” Then they took Jeremiah and threw him…
- Jeremiah 38:9 (v2) “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon. He is…
- Acts 24:27 (v2) But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in…
- Acts 25:9 (v2) But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there…
- Genesis 7:1 (v2) Yahweh said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation.
- Deuteronomy 16:19 (v2) You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and…
- Deuteronomy 24:17 (v2) You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge;
- Ezekiel 9:9 (v2) Then he said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full…
- Romans 1:32 (v2) who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those…
- Galatians 2:11-13 (v2) But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before some people came from James, he ate with…
- 1 Samuel 15:9 (v2) But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, and of the fat calves, and the lambs, and all that was good,…
- Haggai 1:4 (v2) “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste?
36 distinct cross-references across this passage (38 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v2 Hebrew, answer.
Hebrew, answer.
Do that which is godly, though few do favor it.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Exo 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to…
Exo 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:
Ver. 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude.] The way to hell is broad and well beaten. Per viam publicam ne ingredere, was one of Pythagoras’s precepts. Do not as the most do, lest thou be undone for ever. Argumentum turpissimum est turba, saith Seneca. To live "according to the course of the world" is to be acted by the devil. {Eph 2:2}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Thou shalt not follow a multitude, either their counsel…
Thou shalt not follow a multitude, either their counsel or example. But the Hebrew rabbin both here and in the following clause is by some rendered great men, men in power and authority, whom we are commanded not to follow. And as the word is thus used Job 32:9; Jer 41:1, so this sense may seem most probable,
1. Because in the last clause he speaks of causes or controversies, as the Hebrew rib signifies; and matters of judgment, which were not determined by the multitude, but by great men.
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2. Because these are opposed to the poor in the next verse.
3. Because the examples of such men are most prevalent.
To do evil, either in general or particular, to work mischief, to oppress or crush another.
Neither shalt thou speak, Heb. answer, when thou art summoned as a witness in any cause.
To wrest judgment, or to turn aside right, or to pervert
thyself the verb being taken reciprocally, as hiphil is oft put for hithpahel; or, which is all one, to do perverserly, i.e. unrighteously.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,....…
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,.... The Targums of Jerusalem and Jonathan add, but to do good. As in private life, the examples of the many, who are generally the most wicked, are not to be followed, though they too often are; examples, and especially of the multitude, having great influence, and therefore to be guarded against; so in public courts of judicature, where there are many judges upon the bench, if one of them is sensible that the greater part go wrong in their judgment of a case, he ought not to follow them, or be influenced by them, but go according to the dictates of his own conscience, and the evidence of things as they appear to him, and neither agree to justify the wicked, nor condemn the righteous:
neither shall thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment; or "thou shalt not answer" (r); either in pleading in a cause, and taking the side of it the majority is on, and for that reason, though it is a manifest perversion of justice; or by giving a vote on that side, and on that account, whereby a wrong judgment passes; and this vote given either according to the number of witnesses, which ought not always to be the rule of judgment; for it is not the number of witnesses, but the nature, evidence, and circumstances of their testimony, that are to be regarded: Jarchi says, in judgments of life and death, they go after the mouth of one witness to absolve, and after the mouth of two to condemn: or according to the number of judges on the bench, and their superiority in years and knowledge; and so some render the word, "after the great ones" (s); for a judge is not to be influenced by names or numbers in giving his vote, but to judge according to the truth of things, as they appear to him: hence the Jews say, that the younger or puisne judges used to be asked their judgment first, that they might not be influenced by others superior to them; and a like method is taken with us in the trial of a peer, the younger lords always giving their opinion first: as to the number of votes by which a cause was carried in court, it is said (t), not as the decline to good, is the decline to evil; the decline to good, i.e. to absolution, is by the sentence of one (a majority of one); the decline to evil, i.e. to condemnation, is by the mouth or sentence of two, a majority of two.
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(r) "neque respondeas", Tigurine version; "non respondebis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius. (s) "post potentiores", Junius & Tremellius; "post magnos", Lyra, Cartwright. (t) Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 6.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil…
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil - General usage will never excuse us in any ill practice; nor is the broad way ever the safer for its being crowded. We must inquire what we ought to do, not what the most do; because we must be judged by our master, not our fellow servants; and it is too great a compliment, to be willing to go to hell for company.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Verse 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to…
Verse 2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil] Be singular. Singularity, if in the right, can never be criminal. So completely disgraceful is the way of sin, that if there were not a multitude walking in that way, who help to keep each other in countenance, every solitary sinner would be obliged to hide his head. But רבים rabbim, which we translate multitude, sometimes signifies the great, chiefs, or mighty ones; and is so understood by some eminent critics in this place: "Thou shalt not follow the example of the great or rich, who may so far disgrace their own character as to live without God in the world, and trample under foot his laws." It is supposed that these directions refer principally to matters which come under the eye of the civil magistrate; as if he had said, "Do not join with great men in condemning an innocent or righteous person, against whom they have conceived a prejudice on the account of his religion," &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Exo 23:2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude —…
Exo 23:2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude — Either their counsel or their example; to do evil — General usage will never excuse us in any ill practice; nor is the broad way ever the safer for its being crowded. We must inquire what we ought to do, not what the most do; because we must be judged by our Master, not our fellow-servants; and it is too great a compliment to be willing to go to hell for company. Neither shalt thou speak in a cause — Either to extenuate or excuse a great fault, aggravate a small one, vindicate an offender, charge guilt on an innocent person, put false glosses, or sinister interpretations upon things, or do any thing tending to procure an unjust sentence; to decline after many — Either the friends of the party, the judges, the witnesses, or the opinions of the vulgar. The word רבים, rabbim, in this verse rendered multitude and many, signifying also great men, some prefer the following translation of the verse, Thou shalt not follow great men to do evil — neither shalt thou speak (Hebrew, answer) in a cause to decline after great men. This is a very important sense of the words: because the example of great men, of men of power, wealth, and authority, has great influence.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v3 Favour. Mercy would then be contrary to justice. (Psalm…
Favour. Mercy would then be contrary to justice. (Psalm lxxi. 2; St. Augustine q. 88.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–3 decline--depart, deviate from the straight path of rectitude.
decline--depart, deviate from the straight path of rectitude.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v2 2. Speak in a cause — Literally, answer in…
2. Speak in a cause — Literally, answer in a controversy (suit at law) to turn away after many, to pervert. This law, like that of the preceding and the following verse is mainly directed against giving false testimony in judicial proceedings, and so perverting justice and truth.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–3 2. Not to follow a majority blindly for evil…
2. Not to follow a majority blindly for evil purposes, or, in particular to pervert justice.
to do evil] lit. into evil things.
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speak] answer (in a court of law), i.e. bear witness (RVm.), as Exo_20:16. The Heb. ‘ânâh never means simply to ‘speak.’
to turn aside after] Jdg_9:3 Heb., 1Sa_8:3, 1Ki_2:28 Heb.
to wrest] or, as the same word is rendered in v. 6 and elsewhere, to pervert (lit. to turn aside): see Deu_16:19; Deu_24:17; Deu_27:19, 1Sa_8:3, Lam_3:35. (To ‘turn aside’ a man from his right is also said (sometimes with ‘from his right’ omitted): Isa_10:2; Isa_29:21, Amo_5:12, Pro_18:5, Mal_3:5). The text of this verse is in parts suspicious: but no doubt the same general sense was always expressed by it.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–3 (2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do…
(2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil . . . —It is perhaps true that the offence especially condemned is joining with a majority in an unrighteous judgment; but the words of the precept extend much further than this, and forbid our being carried away by numbers or popularity in any case. Vox populi vox Dei is a favourite maxim with many, but Scripture nowhere sanctions it. Job boasts that he did not fear a great multitude (Job_31:34). David says that the “ten thousands of the people set themselves against him round about” (Psa_3:6). The prophets had always the multitude against them. “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,” said our blessed Lord, “which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” But ‘wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” Mat_7:13-14). We must be prepared to face unpopularity if we would walk in accordance with the Law of God.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.…
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Rather, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to evil." A law alike for deed, for word, and for thought. The example of the many is to be shunned. "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." But "strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it". (Mat_7:13, Mat_7:14) It is extraordinary that so many, even of professing Christians, are content to go with the many, notwithstanding the warnings against so doing, both of the law and of the Gospel. Neither shalt thou speak, etc. Rather, "Neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to go aside after a multitude to put aside justice." The general precept is followed by a particular application of it. In judging a cause, if thou art one of the judges, thou shalt not simply go with the majority, if it he bent on injustice, but form thine own opinion and adhere to it.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v2 Thou shalt not fellow a multitude to do evil.
Exo_23:2
Thou shalt not fellow a multitude to do evil.
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Following the multitude prohibited
I. Explain the nature of this precept.
1. It is here assumed that the multitude do evil. This may be inferred--
(1) From the review of past ages.
(2) From the cruel persecutions which have been raised against the righteous in various ages of the world.
(3) From the common conduct of mankind. Is not vice more general than virtue?
2. Secondly, the precept in the text supposes that we are in danger of copying the example of the multitude. We may infer this--
(1) From the innate tendencies we have to evil.
(2) From the prevalence of bad example.
3. From a variety of melancholy facts. The multitude who now do evil were not always such adepts in depravity; when they first entered into the broad way their feet were not swift to do evil; they proceeded with hesitating steps, but by practice became hardened in crime.
II. Urge reasons to induce us to observe it. The multitude doing evil should not be imitated, because they are--
1. Unlawful and unconstituted guides.
2. Bad guides.
3. Dishonourable guides.
4. Unprofitable guides.
5. Dangerous guides.
III. Impart advice for the direction of those who wish to escape the ensnaring wiles of the multitude.
1. Get your minds deeply and thoroughly impressed with the awfulness of your situation. Dangers unseen will be unavoided.
2. Seek the regenerating grace of God.
3. Be on your guard against the seductive wiles and insinuating influence of the multitude. Sinners will entice you; but come out from among them; have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness (Psa_1:1).
4. Follow the happy few who strive to do good. Show that you are with Christ by being with His people. Oh, say, This people shall be my people, and their God my God. Inferences--
(1) That the measures of right and wrong are not to be determined by the majority. Good and evil are fixed immutable principles; and their natures are unchangeable, whether many or few follow them.
(2) What gratitude is due to God for the revelation of His will, which marks the boundaries of right and wrong; and for the gift of His Son to redeem us from this present evil world: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Sketches of Sermons.)
Individual responsibility
There is, I suppose, no doctrine more clearly set forth in Scripture than the doctrine of personal responsibility. There is no doctrine more readily owned, no doctrine more insisted upon by men. Yet I think I can show you that, in its application to a great number of particular cases, you would not only act as though you disbelieved it, but you would unconsciously maintain in words doctrines directly opposed to it. The words which I have just read to you suggest one of the most universally employed modes of denying this universally received doctrine of individual responsibility. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil, was said long ago by the Jewish law. I think you will find that the present condition of things, in whatever place or class we are thinking of, grew up from something very small, and that by degrees the sin acquired strength from the power and position, and then from the mere number of its perpetrators, until in time it acquired positive dignity and became correct, or according to the absurd modern phraseology, became good form, from the multitude of transgressors. I will begin with the sex which since the creation of the world has almost uniformly carried its point against the opposite sex, and which, nevertheless, is still facetiously called the weaker. They will, I believe, if you ask them, readily own themselves responsible for their use of time and of money. Well, they certainly spend an excessive amount of the latter, money, as I daresay their husbands know, in purchasing; and of the former, time, as everybody knows, in adjusting those ever-changing and most cumbrous absurdities which they pile upon themselves, and with which they surround themselves to the general inconvenience of everybody and everywhere. They do this until I should think they must feel uncomfortable, and I know that they look deformed. Why do they do it? Ask any one, and you will hear it all condemned at once, solemnly, perhaps piously condemned at once, the responsibility being shifted immediately from the individual to fashion, and that is to everybody. What does all that mean? Their conscience is relieved by the multitude whom they follow. Let us go a little further and take another view of the matter. Public bodies, I believe, parliaments, ministries, corporations, town commissioners, Poor Law guardians, boards of all kinds, and committees of all kinds, are known--every one of you knows it as well as I do--to be guilty of neglect of duties and violations of honour of which none of their members singly, in private transactions, would for one moment be capable. Take another set of instances. Look at the recognized dishonesties of different trades and businesses. The man who keeps light weights for selling, and heavy weights for buying, as I once knew a most pious man do; the man who adulterates food; the man who puts bad work or bad material where it is not to be detected; the servant who robs his master in the usual way; the workman who to no greater extent than others of his craft plunders his employer; none of these desire by any means, I fancy, to have their children taught at school that the Eighth Commandment has no meaning. They like to hear it every Sunday. Why? Because they have an unwritten tradition in the craft or trade, by which it is dispensed with. But I am going into more dangerous ground now. In the present day, the multitude has come to be considered something more than an excuser of deviations from strict principles in the ordinary affairs of life. It is beginning to assume the functions of the highest authority on religious matters. To call in question its decision, or refuse submission to its commands, no matter how uninstructed it may be, is coming to be viewed in the light of standing up against an inspired prophet. It does not occur to the thoughtless throng, who will rush anywhere to hear anybody, or to see anything, that when the multitude appears to have taken a pious turn it can be wrong to follow it whithersoever it leads. It does not seem to occur to them that when the multitude is longing to take Jesus by force and make Him a king, it may have just as little perception of His mission as when it clamorously demands His crucifixion. No, they are afraid to gainsay what the multitude asserts; they are afraid to do anything but echo its assertions, and thus each one among a multitude perpetuates the delusion of the others as to his real opinion, by being afraid to say it out, and act in conformity with it. This is the very spirit by which multitudes are created, by which they are enabled to assume formidable proportions, to become powerful for evil. The silence of cowardice is regarded as satisfactory consent, and everybodys echo of what everybody else says is vaunted as the concurrence of numerous independent testimonies. Persons of this kind are the genuine followers of the multitude who are condemned in the text. (J. C. Coghlan, D. D.)
The sin of following the multitude to do evil
I. It implies that the majority or great mass of mankind are uniformly and constantly engaged in doing evil.
II. The prohibition which we are considering implies that every person is naturally disposed to follow a multitude to do evil.
III. The prohibition in the text implies that those are altogether criminal who, follow the evil examples of evil-doers, though they are the great majority of mankind. For--
1. They are free and voluntary in following the examples of those who do evil.
2. Every person acts contrary to his reason and conscience in following a multitude to do evil, which renders him altogether criminal and inexcusable.
Conclusion:
1. If men are apt to follow bad examples, as has been said, then there is reason to think that bad examples are the great source of moral corruption in every part of the world.
2. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the truly godly have much more concern in spreading moral corruption, and obstructing the cause of religion than they are apt to imagine.
3. Since men are naturally disposed to follow the bad examples of the multitude, it is easy to see why a people, declining in religion, are so apt to be insensible of their religious declensions. The minority are blended with the majority, and they are all imperceptibly declining together.
4. If all men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then the rising generation are always in a peculiarly dangerous situation.
5. If it be criminal to follow bad examples, it must be far more criminal to set bad examples.
6. If men are naturally disposed to follow the multitude to do evil, then every one in a state of nature has a great reason to fear that he shall live and die in his present unsanctified and impenitent state. Your belonging to the majority will not help you to turn about, but powerfully tend to hinder you. What will you say when He punishes you? (N. Emmons, D. D.)
Multirude no prevailing argument
The Lord that made us knoweth our mould and how easily we are persuaded to taste of the forbidden fruit, and how prone to be carried headlong to error, and therefore gives us a caveat, and sets a bar and stop in our way, that we run not to evil because we see others run or lead the way before us. And we shall do well by the way to take notice of our own corruption, as the Lord doth, that in the same we may see the necessity of this precept; for first, nature corrupt is as attractive of evil as the adamant naturally draws iron; just as a spark to tinder or gunpowder. Secondly, evil is diffusive of itself, and such an acquaintance there is between it and us, as the plague cannot so easily infect our bodies as sin doth poison and suddenly infect our souls. Thirdly, our nature is social, and not as the brutes; we readily thrust into company, and therefore being naturally enemies to solitariness, we are ready to follow if any one lead us the way; but if many or a multitude (as here) then we run, and for haste never stay to reason the case, neither in what way nor upon what errand. And, therefore, the Lord would have His people to fence themselves with a rule of prudence, that they be not misled by the crooked steps of others and their own perverse inclinations.
1. One reason is in the text: because a multitude may err and run to evil, and may decline to overthrow truth.
2. Multitudes cannot make that to be good which is evil in itself, neither in doctrine nor manners; well they may make an evil worse, but none better.
3. Multitudes cannot keep off the revenge of evil; one evil mate may help his fellow into sin, but cannot help him out of punishment,
4. Multitudes and most men are commonly the worst. The way to hell is broad and the gate wide that leads to destruction, and many go in thereat (Mat_7:13). Hell enlargeth itself (Isa_5:14). Tophet is large and wide (Exo_30:33). And therefore it cannot be the safest way which the most walk in. Contrarily, the fewest are commonly the best; pearls are rare; many hundred false prophets to one poor Micaiah; Gods part in the world was ever but a gleaning and a small remnant; and the apostle (1Jn_5:19) pronounceth in the name of believers, We know we are of God, and the whole world lieth in unrighteousness.
5. It is better to walk the right way alone than to wander out of the way with company; better go to heaven alone, or with a few, than with multitudes to hell.
Come we now to application of this point.
1. If it be so dangerous to follow a multitude to evil, what a fearful thing it is to lead a multitude to evil! as the magistrate that enacts and commands evil; like Jeroboam that made all Israel to sin. Or the minister that shall be weak as another man by whose example many are corrupted, through loose speeches, unseemly behaviours, libertine courses, fellowship with the abject, opposing the persons and strict courses of such as fear God.
2. See how desperately many men frame their courses while they live as if to do as the most do, were a good and warrantable plea. Because the most are irreligious, without the fear of God, and without conscience: so are they. The most scorn to attend Gods ordinance: so do they. Commit a felony, riot, robbery, or rebellion with a multitude, and try if in thy trial before the judge it will be a good plea to say, I was led, and followed the multitude. What then would you have us to do? In matters of faith build upon a surer foundation than upon numbers and multitudes, whom it was never safe to follow; nor was it ever a good argument either of the truth or true Church. In Christs time the multitude followed the Scribes and Pharisees, but not Christ nor His apostles; and all the multitude cried, Crucify Him. And how uncertain a rule this is the father tells us who observed, that in synods and councils the greater side doth oftentimes overcome the better; and another who saith, that in all Divine cases we must not number voices, but weigh them. What sure ground can be expected from the rude multitude, than which nothing is more fickle and uncertain? But we have a surer word, Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone (Eph_2:20; 1Co_3:11). And we say as Hushai to Absolom (2Sa_16:18) Nay, but whom the Lord and this people, and all the men of Israel chose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. (T. Taylor, D. D.)
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil
I. Imitation is one of the great characteristics of the human species. The same passion that impels us to society, impels us to take part with our companions in their interests and inclinations. Insensibly and without thought we fall into their customs and their manners; we adopt their sentiments, their passions, and even their foibles, and follow the same course as if we were actuated by the same spirit.
II. By what means we are to keep ourselves from following a multitude to do evil.
1. Let us be early and firmly established in the principles of an holy faith. It is education chiefly that forms the human character; and it is a virtuous and religious education that forms the character.
2. Let us beware with what company we associate.
3. Let us acquire firmness and fortitude of mind. (James Logan.)
The multitude an unsafe guide
It is said of the roes and hinds that they are most tender and fearful of all beasts, affrighted with any noise, checked with the least foil, turned out of course with the snapping of a stick, presently make head another way, and when they are once out of their wonted walk they run they know not whither, even to their own death. Such is the natural disposition of the multitude or common people, soon stirred up, quickly awry, sometimes running full head one way, on a sudden turned as much another, easily set agog, delighted with novelties. (J. Spencer.)
The multitude not to be followed
Said Horace Bushnell to his younger brother, who had been to a cheap show and came home crestfallen, The next time that you see the whole world doing something, be sure not to go with them unless you have some better reason. That was the germ of manly independence out of which the sturdy manhood of that remarkable thinker grew. The sooner a young man learns that there are in this world more silly people than wise, more weak than strong, the better his chances of being a man.
Custom not the standard of right
Know that the Lord has set apart him that is godly for Himself. Therefore it is no excuse for him to say, I do but as others do. He is to reckon his hours by the sun, not the town clock; to take Gods direction, not the vice of the multitudes, as one of their stamp and at liberty to comply with their fashions. (T. Mantan, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.