The Voice of Reason

When the city clerk quieted the crowd it ultimately aided the mission of God. Paul was not caught up in the mob. He would make his way to Jerusalem, and on to Rome eventually. But when the crowd was not silenced, and the people continued to shout, "Crucify," it also aided the mission of God! Jesus' crucifixion was part and parcel of God's plan for our salvation. This is akin to Luther's thought, The devil is always God's devil. God limits the power and reach of Satan. So, we could say, the mob is always God's mob. Sometimes they will be quieted, sometimes not.