τριάκοντα (triakonta)
triakonta
thirty
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word triakonta simply means thirty, representing the number between twenty-nine and thirty-one. It functions as an indeclinable numeral in the New Testament, appearing consistently across various contexts without changing its form for gender or case. Its usage is straightforward, serving primarily to quantify people, years, or items in narrative descriptions.
This term appears eleven times in the Gospels, with notable instances including the parable of the sower where seeds yield a harvest of thirtyfold (Matthew 13:8) and the account of Jesus beginning his ministry at about thirty years of age (Luke 3:23). The word provides precise numerical detail, anchoring biblical narratives in concrete historical or illustrative facts rather than abstract concepts.
Its etymology links directly to the Greek root for three (treis), combined with the suffix indicating a decade, clearly marking it as three times ten. Translators consistently render it as "thirty" in English, preserving the exact numerical value without adding interpretive nuance. The word’s simplicity highlights its role as a factual marker within the text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The number thirty often marks a significant transition in Scripture. When Jesus began his public ministry at this age, it signaled the start of his active work on earth. This detail grounds the gospel story in real human history, showing that God enters our world at specific moments to bring about change.
In the parable of the sower, the thirtyfold harvest illustrates that faithfulness yields abundant fruit. Even when we feel our efforts are small, God can multiply them greatly. The word itself is simple, yet it points to a deeper truth: God values the steady, faithful work He does in our lives over time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thirty6×
- thirtyfold2×
- thirty.2×
- thirty,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τριάκοντα8×
- τριάκοντα.¶1×
- τριάκοντα.1×
- τριάκοντα,1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:23
Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry at age thirty, anchoring his mission in a specific historical moment.
-
Matthew 13:8
Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Here, thirtyfold harvest shows that faithful listening to God's word produces significant spiritual fruit.
-
Matthew 26:15
and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
The thirty pieces of silver highlight the tragic betrayal of Jesus by Judas for a small sum of money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the number thirty signify in the Bible?
Why is the number thirty important in the parable of the sower?
How is thirty used in the context of Jesus' life?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 5 books)
Matthew 5 verses
Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matthew 13:23What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and…
Matthew 26:15and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of…
Matthew 27:3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of…
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…