Lexical Summary akantha: Thorn Original Word: ἄκανθα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thorn. Probably from the same as akmen; a thorn -- thorn. see GREEK akmen NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom aké (a point, edge) Definition a prickly plant, thorn NASB Translation thorn (1), thorns (13). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 173: ἄκανθαἄκανθα, (ης, ἡ (ἀκή a point (but see in ἀκμή)); a. a thorn bramble-bush, brier: Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:44; Hebrews 6:8; εἰς τάς ἀκάνθας i. e. among the seeds of thorns, Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:7 (L margin: ἐπί), 18 (Tdf. ἐπί); Luke 8:14 (Luke 8:7 ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν); ἐπί τάς ἀκάνθας, i. e. upon ground in which seeds of thorns were lying hidden, Matthew 13:7. b. a thorny plant: στέφανον ἐξ ἀκανθῶν, Matthew 27:29; John 19:2 — for bare thorns might have caused delirium or even death; what species of plant is referred to, is not clear. Some boldly read ἀκανθῶν, from ἄκανθος, acanthus, bear's foot; but the meaning of ἄκανθα is somewhat comprehensive even in secular writings cf. the classical Greek Lexicons under the word (On the In the rocky, semi-arid hills of first-century Judea and Galilee, thorny shrubs were everywhere—quick to sprout after winter rains, hard-stemmed by harvest, and painful to remove. Farmers plowed shallow soils; thorns lurked beneath, ready to spring up again and steal moisture and light from young grain. Because everyone knew these plants firsthand, “thorns” became a natural image in the teachings of Jesus and the writers of the New Testament. Old Testament background After Adam’s fall the Lord declared, “Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you” (Genesis 3:18). From that point forward thorns represented the curse on a disordered creation, the frustration of human labor, and the hostility of nature toward sinful humanity (compare Isaiah 5:6; Proverbs 24:30-31). The New Testament writers assume this background: wherever thorns appear, the reader is meant to sense the presence of the curse and the need for redemption. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:7, 22; Mark 4:7, 18-19; Luke 8:7, 14) Jesus draws on the field image six times. Here thorns portray worldly anxieties, materialism, and pleasure seeking—pressures that suffocate spiritual vitality. The seed is sound, the soil initially receptive, yet the crowded heart prevents fruit. The picture warns disciples that divided affections are as lethal as outright rejection. Recognition by fruit (Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:44) “By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). Thorns produce nothing nourishing; therefore a ministry or lifestyle characterized by destructive words, immoral conduct, or lovelessness betrays an ungodly source. The motif equips believers to exercise discernment without cynicism—the standard is observable fruit, not outward claims. The worthless field (Hebrews 6:8) “But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and near to being cursed. Its end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:8). The writer addresses professing believers drifting from Christ. Persistent apostasy is likened to soil that continually yields only thorns; final burning evokes the eschatological judgment. The imagery is pastoral as well as warning: cultivation, rain, and time are provided, but the field must respond. The crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29; John 19:2) Roman soldiers plaited flexible thorn branches into a mocking diadem and pressed it upon the Savior’s brow. The physical pain was severe; the symbolism deeper still. The One through whom all things were created (John 1:3) now wears the very emblem of the curse He came to bear. By accepting the thorns, Christ absorbs the judgment of Genesis 3 so that redeemed ground can one day “yield its increase” (Psalm 67:6). At Calvary the curse is publicly transferred; at the resurrection it is decisively broken. Theological themes 1. Curse and redemption: Thorns trace the arc from Eden’s fall to Golgotha’s hill, showing the Bible’s unity. Practical ministry implications • Preaching and teaching—expose modern equivalents of “worries, riches, and pleasures” that choke the word. Summary Strong’s Greek 173 gathers into a single noun the Bible’s account of fall, struggle, and redemption. From neglected fields to the mocked King, thorns remind readers that sin is invasive and painful, yet Christ’s grace is deeper still, turning barren soil into a fruitful vineyard prepared for the Master’s harvest (John 15:8). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 7:16 N-GFPGRK: συλλέγουσιν ἀπὸ ἀκανθῶν σταφυλὰς ἢ NAS: are not gathered from thorn [bushes] nor KJV: grapes of thorns, or figs INT: Do they gather from thorns grapes or Matthew 13:7 N-AFP Matthew 13:7 N-NFP Matthew 13:22 N-AFP Matthew 27:29 N-GFP Mark 4:7 N-AFP Mark 4:7 N-NFP Mark 4:18 N-AFP Luke 6:44 N-GFP Luke 8:7 N-GFP Luke 8:7 N-NFP Luke 8:14 N-AFP John 19:2 N-GFP Hebrews 6:8 N-AFP Strong's Greek 173 |
    |