The Greek word pentakósioi, represented by G4001, is a numeral meaning five hundred. It is formed from the words for five and one hundred. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, but its usage in these contexts is highly specific and impactful.
The two appearances of G4001 serve distinct purposes. In a parable, Jesus uses the number to illustrate a significant debt, telling of a creditor with two debtors, one who owed five hundred pence and another fifty Luke 7:41. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul uses the number to establish the credibility of the resurrection, stating that the risen Christ "was seen of above five hundred brethren at once" 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Several related words from the parable in Luke 7:41 help clarify the context of G4001:
- G5533 chreōpheilétēs (a loan-ower, i.e. indebted person:--debtor): This identifies the individuals in the parable who are indebted, one of whom owes the sum of five hundred Luke 7:41.
- G3784 opheílō (to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation): This is the verb describing the state of the debt itself. One debtor owed a debt quantified as five hundred pence Luke 7:41.
- G4004 pentḗkonta (fifty:--fifty): This numeral is used in direct contrast to five hundred, highlighting the vast difference in the size of the two debts in the story Luke 7:41.
Despite its infrequent use, the theological weight of G4001 is derived from its specific contexts:
- Magnitude of Debt: In the parable of the two debtors, the number five hundred is not arbitrary. It represents a massive, unpayable debt, used to illustrate the magnitude of sin and the corresponding greatness of God's forgiveness Luke 7:41.
- Credibility of Witness: The mention of Christ appearing to over five hundred people provides a powerful defense of the resurrection. Paul notes that the majority of these witnesses were still alive, making their testimony verifiable and countering any claim that the resurrection was a private hallucination or secret 1 Corinthians 15:6.
In summary, G4001 is more than just a number. Though it appears only twice, it is a cornerstone for two significant biblical points. It provides the scale for a parable about immense debt and forgiveness, and it serves as a crucial piece of historical evidence for the number of witnesses to Christ's resurrection. It demonstrates how a simple numeral can be used to convey both profound metaphorical meaning and essential factual testimony.
TRV