"a thorn, thornbush, Mt. 7:16; 13:7; 27:29"
Definition and meaning
a thorn, thornbush, Mt. 7:16; 13:7; 27:29
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄκανθα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of akantha (G173) across the King James Bible.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
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Common questions
Strong's G173 (akantha) is a Greek word that means: a thorn, thornbush, Mt. 7:16; 13:7; 27:29 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word akantha (G173) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G173 is akantha, a Greek word defined as: a thorn, thornbush, Mt. 7:16; 13:7; 27:29. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
akantha is a Greek word found in the New Testament.