174. akanthinos

Lexical Summary

akanthinos: Of thorns, thorny

Original Word: ἀκανθίνιος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: akanthinos
Pronunciation: ah-kan-THEE-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-an'-thee-nos)
KJV: of thorns
NASB: thorns
Word Origin: [from G173 (ἄκανθα - thorns)]

1. thorny

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

of thorns, thorny.

From akantha; thorny -- of thorns.

see GREEK akantha

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from akantha
Definition
of thorns
NASB Translation
thorns (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 174: ἀκάνθινος

ἀκάνθινος, (ἄκανθα; Cf. ἀμαράντινος), thorny, woven out of the twigs of a thorny plant: Mark 15:17; John 19:5. (Isaiah 34:13.) Cf. the preceding word.

Topical Lexicon

Physical and Cultural Background

Thorny plants were common across Judea, growing in rocky soils and wastelands (compare Genesis 3:18; Hosea 10:8). Romans stationed in the region had ready access to flexible, spiny shrubs whose branches could be woven into a circlet. Such “crowns” were never part of formal Roman punishment; rather, they functioned as a cruel prop in mock coronations staged by soldiers to humiliate prisoners who claimed or were accused of royalty.

Biblical Occurrences

• Mark 15:17 – “They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head.”
• John 19:5 – “Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. ‘Behold the man!’ said Pilate.”

Literary Function

1. Irony: The soldiers unwittingly proclaim the true Kingship of Jesus. Their ridicule becomes a witness to His sovereignty (compare Psalm 2:1-6).
2. Intensification of Suffering: Physical pain from the thorns augments the scourging, heightening the reader’s awareness of the Servant’s affliction foretold in Isaiah 53:3-5.
3. Symbolic Transfer of the Curse: Thorns entered creation through Adam’s fall (Genesis 3:17-18). By bearing them on His brow, Christ visually assumes the curse on behalf of humanity (Galatians 3:13).

Theological Significance

• Kingship Revealed in Humiliation – The thorn-crown joins the purple robe and reed-scepter to display the paradoxical glory of a Messiah who reigns by self-giving sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-11).
• Atonement and Substitution – The thorns allude to the curse of sin; their placement on Jesus’ head signifies His taking that curse upon Himself, foreshadowing the declaration, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
• Fulfillment of Prophecy – Mockery, striking, and spitting fulfill detailed predictions (Isaiah 50:6; Psalm 69:19-21). The crown of thorns adds a visual layer to those prophecies.

Historical Reception

Early Church writers (e.g., Tertullian, Cyprian) viewed the crown as proof that Christ’s kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36). Medieval artists often depicted the Passion with exaggerated thorns to evoke penitence. Reformers highlighted the crown to emphasize sola gratia—the unmerited grace displayed in the suffering King.

Pastoral and Devotional Applications

• Humility – Believers are called to “clothe yourselves with humility” (1 Peter 5:5), mindful that the King first accepted mock regalia before receiving the crown of glory (Hebrews 2:9).
• Hope amidst Suffering – The thorn-crown reminds the faithful that present afflictions will one day yield “a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).
• Worship – Hymns such as “Crown Him with Many Crowns” reflect on the transition from thorns to diadems, guiding congregations to adore the crucified and risen Lord.

Intertextual Links

Thorns appear in judgment scenes (Judges 8:16), parables (Matthew 13:7), and warnings against apostasy (Hebrews 6:8). Their culmination on Golgotha unifies Scripture’s testimony: rebellion produces thorns; redemption removes them (Revelation 22:3).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 174 marks the crown of thorns as a concise yet profound sign: humanity’s curse, Rome’s mockery, and divine sovereignty converge on the brow of Jesus Christ. Its two New Testament appearances bookend the Passion narrative, ensuring that every reader confronting the Cross must also reckon with the King who willingly bore shame to secure salvation.

Forms and Transliterations

ακάνθινα ακανθινον ακάνθινον ἀκάνθινον ακάρδιον ακάρδιος akanthinon akánthinon

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 15:17 Adj-AMS
GRK: αὐτῷ πλέξαντες ἀκάνθινον στέφανον
NAS: a crown of thorns, they put
KJV: a crown of thorns, and put it about
INT: him having twisted together [it] thorn crown

John 19:5 Adj-AMS
GRK: φορῶν τὸν ἀκάνθινον στέφανον καὶ
NAS: the crown of thorns and the purple
KJV: the crown of thorns, and
INT: wearing the thorny crown and

Strong's Greek 174
2 Occurrences

ἀκάνθινον — 2 Occ.