Dictionaries :: Thorn, Thorns (Of)

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Thorn, Thorns (Of):

"a brier, a thorn" (from ake, "a point"), is always used in the plural in the NT, Mat 7:16 and parallel passage in Luk 6:44; Mat 13:7 (twice), Mat 13:22 and parallels in Mark and Luke; in Mat 27:29; Jhn 19:2, of the crown of "thorns" placed on Christ's head (see also B) in mock imitation of the garlands worn by emperors. They were the effects of the Divine curse on the ground (Gen 3:18; contrast Isa 55:13). The "thorns" of the crown plaited by the soldiers, are usually identified with those of the Zizyphus spinaChristi, some 20 feet high or more, fringing the Jordan and abundant in Palestine; its twigs are flexible. Another species, however, the Arabian qundaul, crowns of which are plaited and sold in Jerusalem as representatives of Christ's crown, seems likely to be the one referred to. The branches are easily woven and adapted to the torture intended. The word akantha occurs also in Hbr 6:8.

Thorn, Thorns (Of):

originally denoted "anything pointed," e.g., "a stake;" in Hellenistic vernacular, "a thorn" (so the Sept., in Num 33:55; Eze 28:24; Hsa 2:6), 2Cr 12:7, of the Apostle's "thorn in the flesh;" his language indicates that it was physical, painful, humiliating; it was also the effect of Divinely permitted Satanic antagonism; the verbs rendered "that I should (not) be exalted overmuch" (RV) and "to buffet" are in the present tense, signifying recurrent action, indicating a constantly repeated attack. Lightfoot interprets it as "a stake driven through the flesh," and Ramsay agrees with this. Most commentators adhere to the rendering "thorn." Field says "there is no doubt that the Alexandrine use ofskolops for thorn is here intended, and that the ordinary meaning of 'stake' must be rejected." What is stressed is not the metaphorical size, but the acuteness of the suffering and its effects. Attempts to connect this with the circumstances of Act 14:19 and Gal 4:13 are speculative.

Thorn, Thorns (Of):

"of thorns" (from A, No. 1), is used in Mar 15:17; Jhn 19:5. In the Sept., Isa 34:13.