The Greek epiphoneo (Strong's G2019) means 'to shout at,' 'to cry out to,' or 'to raise a voice against someone.' It combines epi (toward) and phoneo (to sound/call out). In the New Testament it is used for crowds crying out — both in rejection (the crowd calling for Barabbas) and in acclamation. The word captures the raw, collective voice of the crowd in decisive moments.
The appearances of epiphoneo in the Passion narrative (Luke 23:21) and in Acts 12:22 are theologically contrasting. In Luke, the crowd shouts (epephōnoun) 'Crucify him!' — the voice of the mob overriding justice and mercy. In Acts 12:22, the crowd shouts that Herod's voice is 'the voice of a god' — empty flattery that led to Herod's judgment. Both scenes warn against the spiritual danger of crowd dynamics: the mob crucified the Son of God and deified a corrupt king in the same breath. The voice of the crowd is never automatically the voice of God. Spiritual discernment must stand against the pressure of epiphoneo.