Lexical Summary akanthinos: Of thorns, thorny Original Word: ἀκανθίνιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of thorns, thorny.From akantha; thorny -- of thorns. see GREEK akantha NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom akantha Definition of thorns NASB Translation thorns (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 174: ἀκάνθινοςἀκάνθινος, (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.” 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). 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). 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). 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 akánthinonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 15:17 Adj-AMSGRK: 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 |