Does '3' hold special significance in Christianity? (2024)

The Kansas City Star (TNS)

The Rev. Penny Ellwood, Blue Springs campus pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection: We have a human habit of looking for patterns of three. You hear people say all the time expressions like “three’s company” or conversely, “three’s a crowd” or “the third time’s the charm, “or “bad news always comes in threes.”

I’m not sure where our habit of thinking that way originated, but when one goes looking for threes, you can certainly find them in Christianity as well.

The use of the number three is abundant in the Bible. Noah had three sons (Gen. 6:10). Three visitors appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:2). Jonah was inside the belly of the fish three days and nights (Jonah 1:17).

Jesus answered Satan’s threefold temptations with three scriptural references (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus’ ministry lasted three years. Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62), and three times Jesus affirmed his love (John 21:15-17).

There are many references to three, but nothing quite as important as the climax of our faith and Jesus’ redemptive work, his resurrection on the third day (Luke 24:7).

No doubt the biblical authors often employed the number or wrote in patterns of three to provide a special emphasis or a clue that there was more than meets the eye in the events recorded.

Christians also see three as symbolic of the Trinity, the triune nature of God: as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons who share one divine nature and have existed eternally in community with one another. This threefold relationship forms the basis of the community and relationship we are called to live as Christians. Our task as Christians is to express, transform and extend our world, in accordance with the pattern revealed in the mystery of the Trinity.

In our church, we believe this happens in another threefold — the use of our head, heart and hands. We study and learn to know who God is with our heads. We engage in relationships of love with our hearts, and we serve with our hands to reshape and build God’s kingdom with the hope of complete and full restoration someday.

These are but a few of the threes found in our faith. So I guess you might say that three is something of a holy number.

The Rev. Jeff Palmer: The quantity of three does hold significant value in the Christian faith, particularly in the context of the Bible narrative.

Just to name a few of many examples: There are three persons in the trinity of God — the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.

There are three main patriarchs in the Old Testament — Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jesus’ ministry on Earth lasted three years. The apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus three times following the evening of his arrest. Jesus was resurrected from the grave three days after his death and burial.

So why is the quantity of three significant? The number three biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. If ever there were a desire to highlight an idea, thought, event or noteworthy figure in the Bible for their prominence, the number three was used to put a divine stamp of completion or fulfillment on the subject.

Although there is great biblical meaning to the use of the number within its context, we should avoid applying the same biblical application of the number outside of the text. For example, observing that “bad things in life always happen in threes” is merely an observation of coincidence, not a reflection of completeness as noted in the Bible.

Furthermore, the number three should merely be held as a significant number within the Christian faith rather than a holy number. An item that is deemed holy is something dedicated or set apart for God. The number does not fit the category of holiness, but neither should it be overlooked in its biblical importance.

Does '3' hold special significance in Christianity? (2024)

FAQs

Does '3' hold special significance in Christianity? ›

The apostle Peter denied knowing Jesus three times following the evening of his arrest. Jesus was resurrected from the grave three days after his death and burial. So why is the quantity of three significant? The number three biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection.

Why is the number 3 so important in Christianity? ›

The number three biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection.

How significant is the number 3? ›

Throughout human history, the number 3 has always had a unique significance, but why? The ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, postulated that the meaning behind numbers was deeply significant. In their eyes the number 3 was considered as the perfect number, the number of harmony, wisdom and understanding.

What do threes represent in the Bible? ›

Biblical trees symbolize life, growth, and fertility, reflecting the abundant blessings that God bestows upon creation. They serve as a reminder to believers of God's intricate design and desire for humans to thrive in the created world.

What is the significant number in Christianity? ›

The number 'seven' is widely used throughout Revelation, including in reference to the seven churches, seven bowls, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, Seven Spirits of God, seven stars, seven lampstands, seven eyes and horns of the Lamb of God, seven heads and diadems of the dragon, and seven heads of the ...

Why is God as 3 important? ›

It is rooted in the fact that God came to meet Christians in a threefold figure: (1) as Creator, Lord of the history of salvation, Father, and Judge, as revealed in the Old Testament; (2) as the Lord who, in the incarnated figure of Jesus Christ, lived among human beings and was present in their midst as the “ ...

What are the big 3 in Christianity? ›

Christians believe that God is revealed through three dimensions: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is considered the son of God, born to the virgin Mary and come to Earth to offer redemption for mankind's sins.

What is great about the number 3? ›

It is the second Fibonacci prime (and the second Lucas prime), the second Sophie Germain prime, the third Harshad number in base 10, and the second factorial prime, as it is equal to 2! + 1. 3 is the second and only prime triangular number, and Gauss proved that every integer is the sum of at most 3 triangular numbers.

What does the 3 days in the Bible mean? ›

Jesus was adamant about the third day because it represents God's pattern of creating new life and establishing a covenant with humanity. Look at how the resurrection of Jesus maps onto our third-day design pattern. God resurrects new life up from the ground (the tomb)—in this case, Jesus.

What does 3s mean spiritually? ›

The number three is related to Jupiter, as per numerology, the planet of good fortune and rewards. The frequent appearance of the angel number 333 indicates a positive energy toward your quest. King further adds, if you are feeling limited in your life and seeing a lot of threes, view it as a sign of hope.

What does the number 333 mean spiritually? ›

The angel number 333 encourages to set plans into action and let your personal strength be the guide; to trust yourself and put thought into your choices. This angel number also is connected with optimism, creativity and intuition.

What does it mean to have a life path number 3 spiritually? ›

People with a Life Path Number of 3 are creative spirits driven by their infinite imagination. They're all about fun and living their life to its fullest while spreading joy to others. Life Path Number 3's can be disorganized at times and have trouble committing to one hobby or career path.

What does God say about the number 3? ›

The number 3 biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. If there ever was a desire to highlight an idea, thought, event or noteworthy figure in the Bible for their prominence, the number 3 was used to put a divine stamp of completion or fulfillment on the subject.

What is the symbol of three in one God? ›

Trinity symbol with three hypostases as one God: Crown for the Father, Cross for the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as a dove. Triquetra symbol icon.

What does Trinity mean 3? ›

'triad', from Latin: trinus 'threefold') is the central doctrine concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons (hypostases) ...

What is Jesus's holy number? ›

In some Christian numerology, the number 888 represents Jesus, or sometimes more specifically Christ the Redeemer. This representation may be justified either through gematria, by counting the letter values of the Greek transliteration of Jesus' name, or as an opposing value to 666, the number of the beast.

What is the powerful number in the Bible? ›

Seven was symbolic in ancient near eastern and Israelite culture and literature. It communicated a sense of “fullness” or “completeness” (שבע “seven” is spelled with the same consonants as the word שבע “complete/full”). This makes sense of the pervasive appearance of “seven” patterns in the Bible.

What number represents God? ›

1. Not surprisingly, the number 1 is generally treated as a symbol of unity. Therefore, in monotheistic religions, it often symbolizes God or the universe. The Pythagoreans did not consider 1 to be a number at all because number means plurality and 1 is singular.

What does <3 signify biblically? ›

The number 3 represents completeness, wholeness, resurrection, and harmony in the Bible. The Holy Trinity is represented by 3 entities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In scripture, words and phrases repeated 3 times are often important and carry significant spiritual meaning.

Which churches do not believe in the Trinity? ›

9 Faith Groups That Reject the Trinity
  • 9 Non-trinitarian Faiths. Trinity Knot or Triquetra Symbol. ...
  • Mormonism - Latter-day Saints. Founded By: Joseph Smith, Jr., 1830. ...
  • Jehovah's Witnesses. Founded By: Charles Taze Russell, 1879. ...
  • Christian Science. ...
  • Armstrongism. ...
  • Christadelphians. ...
  • Oneness Pentecostals. ...
  • Unification Church.
Jun 25, 2019

What is the importance of the number 3? ›

The number 3 has always held powerful symbolism. Think about good things coming in 3s, the birth-life-death cycle, the mind-body-soul connection, the 3 acts of a typical story. Wherever the number 3 shows up in your life, it's generally an omen of creativity, communication, optimism, and curiosity!

What is the power of three in religion? ›

The number three points us to the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 3 is a spiritually perfect number, like 7, 10 and 12, and its meaning is completeness.

Do Christians believe in 3 gods? ›

The Bible teaches that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. God is one Being who has existed eternally as three distinct, not separate, persons. As distinct persons, each functions in His own unique manner.

What is the power of 3 church? ›

The Power of 3 is a simple Bible reading plan that consists of investing 15-20 minutes reading three chapters of the Bible each day. The plan also offers several additional levels of voluntary involvement to deepen your spiritual growth.

What did God create on the third day? ›

the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created. the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created. the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created. the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of God were created.

Where in the Bible does it say God confirms his word 3 times? ›

2 Corinthians 13:1 American Standard Version (ASV)

This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established.

What is the significance of saying something three times? ›

While there may be a need to persuade, stating something three times may also represent an honest subconscious intention. Linked to more than what we hear, the words may describe only the surface of what's going on. According to www.numerologist.com , “Three is the number of creativity, communication, and expression.”

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