τριακόσιοι (triakosioi)
triakosioi
three hundred
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word triakosioi is a straightforward numerical adjective meaning "three hundred." It appears in only two verses in the New Testament, both located in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry. In Mark 14:5 and John 12:5, it quantifies the value of a jar of expensive perfume that was sold or offered.
Its formation combines the root for three hundred with standard plural endings, leaving little room for ambiguity or metaphorical nuance. The sources highlight its use in the context of financial valuation, specifically regarding the high cost of the nard used to anoint Jesus. This concrete usage underscores the significant economic sacrifice involved in the gesture described in these passages.
Translators consistently render triakosioi as "three hundred," often attaching it to the word "denarii" to clarify the currency for modern readers. The term serves a purely descriptive function, anchoring the narrative in a specific historical and economic reality without inviting deeper theological speculation beyond the immediate context of generosity and devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word triakosioi simply means three hundred, serving as a concrete marker of value in two specific New Testament accounts. In both Mark 14:5 and John 12:5, it quantifies the price of expensive nard perfume used to anoint Jesus. This number highlights the significant economic sacrifice involved in the gesture described in these passages.
For your faith life, this detail invites you to consider the cost of devotion. When someone offers their most valuable possessions to honor Christ, they are not holding back. The narrative shows that true love often involves a tangible loss for the sake of worship.
You can find encouragement in these stories when you feel your own contributions are small or insufficient. The focus remains on the heart behind the gift rather than the amount itself. This perspective helps shift your attention from what you might be keeping to what you can freely give.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- three hundred1×
- for three hundred1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τριακοσίων2×
Key Verses
-
Mark 14:5
For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.
This verse uses the number to show how much the critics thought the perfume was worth, highlighting their focus on financial gain rather than devotion.
-
John 12:5
“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
Here the same figure is used to question the wisdom of wasting such a large sum on a single act of honor for Jesus.