πεντήκοντα (pentēkonta)
pentēkonta
fifty
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word pentēkonta is a straightforward numeral meaning fifty. In the New Testament, it appears seven times, primarily in the Gospels of Luke and John, with a single occurrence in Mark and one in Acts. Its usage is almost entirely literal, denoting the specific quantity of fifty items or people rather than serving as a symbolic number.
These references highlight specific groupings within narrative scenes. For instance, it describes five thousand loaves multiplied to feed the crowd (Luke 9:14) and five hundred fish caught in a net (John 21:11). It also marks demographic details, such as Jesus being approximately fifty years old (Luke 3:23, though the source lists John 8:57 for age context) or the number of men present at a feast (Mark 6:40). The word functions simply to anchor the reader in the concrete reality of the events described.
Etymologically, pentēkonta is formed as a multiplicative derivative related to the root for five. This structural link reinforces its mathematical precision. Translators consistently render it as "fifty" without resorting to metaphorical interpretations, preserving the exact count that the original authors intended to convey in these historical accounts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pentēkonta simply means fifty. It appears in the New Testament to mark real moments in Jesus' ministry. In Luke 9:14, it helps organize a crowd of five thousand people into groups. This detail shows that Jesus cared about order and care for everyone present, not just the outcome.
In John 21:11, the number appears alongside one hundred fifty-three fish. While some readers look for hidden meanings in these counts, the text itself focuses on the abundance of God's provision. The word anchors us in history. It reminds us that faith works within real life, with real numbers and real needs.
When you read these verses, notice how the ordinary becomes sacred. God meets people where they are. He uses simple counts to show His power and care. This can encourage you today. Your daily tasks and small gatherings matter to Him just as much as the big miracles.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fifty.3×
- fifty;1×
- fifty1×
- fifties.1×
- Fifty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πεντήκοντα.4×
- πεντήκοντα2×
- πεντήκοντα·1×
Key Verses
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Luke 9:14
For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
This verse uses the word to organize a massive crowd, showing Jesus' practical care for order during a miracle.
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John 21:11
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
Here it counts part of a large catch, emphasizing the tangible abundance of Christ's provision after His resurrection.
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Luke 7:41
“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
The parable uses this number to illustrate a significant debt, highlighting the magnitude of grace forgiven.