πεντακόσιοι (pentakosioi)
pentakosioi
five hundred
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word pentakosioi is a straightforward numerical adjective meaning five hundred. It appears only twice in the New Testament, serving as a precise count rather than a symbolic number. In Luke 7:41, Jesus uses it to describe a specific debt owed by one of two borrowers in his parable about forgiveness, grounding the story in a concrete financial reality.
The second occurrence is found in 1 Corinthians 15:6, where Paul notes that the risen Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once. This usage highlights the scale of the event, emphasizing that many witnesses were present. The term is constructed from roots for "five" and "hundred," making its meaning transparent and literal.
Unlike some Greek numbers that carry theological weight or metaphorical significance, pentakosioi functions purely as a quantifier. Its presence in these texts anchors the narrative in historical specificity, reminding readers that early Christian claims were tied to observable events involving large groups of people. The word itself does not invite deeper allegorical interpretation; it simply states a fact.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pentakosioi simply means five hundred. It appears only twice in the New Testament, and in both cases it serves as a clear count rather than a hidden symbol. In Luke 7:41, Jesus uses it to describe a large debt owed by one borrower in a parable about forgiveness. This number helps us grasp the weight of that person’s need and the magnitude of the mercy shown.
In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul mentions that the risen Jesus appeared to over five hundred brothers at once. Here, the number grounds the resurrection claim in history. It reminds us that early Christian faith was not based on private visions alone, but on events witnessed by many people. This word invites us to trust that our faith rests on real, observable truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- five hundred,1×
- five hundred1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πεντακόσια,1×
- πεντακοσίοις1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 7:41
“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
The specific amount of five hundred denarii highlights the overwhelming debt and the sheer scale of forgiveness extended in Jesus' parable.
-
I Corinthians 15:6
Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
Paul cites this large group of witnesses to provide historical evidence for the reality of Jesus' resurrection appearances.