Greek word · G4963

συστροφή

systrophē

commotion/plot

From systrephō, 'to twist or roll together.' It can mean any gathering or mass, such as a crowd or a band. It can also mean a disorderly gathering or riot (Acts 19:40, of the Ephesian uproar) or a group gathered with a hidden plan, a plot or conspiracy (BDAG sense 2).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

συ-στροφή, -ῆς, ἡ

(συστρέφω), [in LXX: Romans 4:19 13:12 (צָרַר); σ. ποιεῖσθαι, Amos 7:10 (קָשַׁר), etc. ;]

1. a twisting together (Plat.).

2. a concourse, a riotous gathering (Polyb.): Acts 19:40; σ. ποιεῖσθαι (Am, l.with), to make a compact (RV, banded themselves together): Acts 23:12.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 23:12

Range of meaning: From systrephō, 'to twist or roll together.' It can mean any gathering or mass, such as a crowd or a band. It can also mean a disorderly gathering or riot (Acts 19:40, of the Ephesian uproar) or a group gathered with a hidden plan, a plot or conspiracy (BDAG sense 2).
Against the English: 'Conspiracy' (BSB, NASB) and 'plot' (ESV) give the purpose. 'Banded together' (KJV, WEB) and 'concourse' (YLT) keep the picture of men knotted into one group. Both sides of the word are present: a group, and a secret aim.
Used elsewhere in the period: Acts 19:40 uses it for a riotous assembly. In the Septuagint it is used for a band of conspirators (e.g., 2 Kgs 15:15, of Shallum's conspiracy, translating Hebrew qesher). Verse 13 then uses synōmosia, 'sworn confederacy', the standard Greek word for a band bound together by oath.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

Acts 19:40 συστροφῆς commotion

For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
Acts 23:12 συστροφὴν a conspiracy

When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

Here: Literally 'a twisting together.' Here it is a tight knot of men organized for a hidden purpose: a sworn band. Verse 13 restates it with the more technical word synōmosia, 'a swearing-together.'

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.