The Meaning of the Number Three in Scripture—Part 6—The Life of Christ

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Introduction and Review

This is the sixth part of a series that examines the number three and how it categorizes themes in Scripture. The previous lesson studied the spiritual act of prayer and its association with this number. (Links to all articles in this series are listed at the end of this installment.)

This lesson will explore the life of Christ, miracles, signs, and wonders, and their association with the number three.

Recreation of Christ based on the Shroud of Turin

As It Concerns Three, Christ, and the New Testament

The following is borrowed from Wikipedia's compilation of the number three as it concerns Jesus.

The threefold office of Christ is a Christian doctrine that Christ performs the functions of prophet, priest, and king.

The ministry of Jesus lasted approximately three years (27-30 AD)
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his death (Sunday, April 9, 30 AD).
The Magi - Zoroaster priests, astronomers/astrologers from Persia- gave Jesus three gifts.
There are three Synoptic Gospels and three epistles of John.
Paul the Apostle went blind for three days after his conversion to Christianity.

The following section concerns the Old Testament, otherwise known as the Tanakh. Jews divide the Tanakh into three sections.

The Torah - First five books
The Prophets
The Writings

This pattern, again, evidences the authorship of this Word.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

— 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Note that the New Testament had not been written and compiled at the time of Paul's writing to Timothy. All they had was the Tanakh.

Jesus the Good, Great, and Chief shepherd leaves the 99 to find His one lost sheep by James Tissot.
Brooklyn Museum

Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd

In the New Testament, Jesus is called a shepherd using three terms. The first concerns His death and identifies Him as the "good Shepherd."

I am the good shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

— John 10:11

The second concerns His resurrection and calls Him the "great Shepherd."

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
— Hebrews 13:20

The third refers to the glory of the resurrected life and calls Him the "Chief Shepherd.

When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

— I Peter 5:4

Mary Ponders and Treasures in Her Heart Three Times

Margaret Minnicks, in her article "Three Times Mary the Mother of Jesus Pondered in her Heart," observes Mary's triple-mentioned pondering. All three occurrences in the Gospel of Luke include themes associated with the number three. The first mention involved a divine being and a prophecy.

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed by this statement and was pondering what kind of greeting it was.

— Luke 1:26-29

The second event also included heavenly beings heralding the arrival of the newborn King Jesus.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart.

— Luke 2:19

The third and final ponder occurred when Jesus was twelve and told His mother that she should have known He would be at His Father's house, even though they couldn't find Him. His Father, who was in heaven, was whom He was referring to.

"Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know I had to be in My Father's house?" But they did not understand the statement that He had spoken to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart.
— Luke 2:51

The Magi from the East seek to bestow three gifts to the Christ child by James Tissot.
Brooklyn Museum

The Bestowal of Three Gifts

Sometime after Christ's birth, the Magi, or Wise men, came to see the King, whose birth was announced by the star in the East. They brought with them three gifts.

... when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him:

gold,
frankincense, and
myrrh.

— Matthew 2

God announced

His role as King, the frankincense announced
His role as Priest, and the myrrh announced
His role is that of a prophet or suffering servant.

As it concerns camels, resurrection, and the bestowal of gifts, a portion of Isaiah that foretells this event includes all three and rounds out this concept.

Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

“Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, and they come to you.
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of

Midian and
Ephah; All those from
Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.

— Isaiah 60:1-6

Of the three countries noted above, Sheba is associated with abundance, riches, and camels in another place in Scripture.

... when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to test Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bore

spices, and
gold in abundance, and
precious stones:

And when she came to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart ... when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built. And the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, who delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon ... And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned and went away to her own land, she and her servants.
— 2 Chronicles 9:1-12

Solomon types and shadows the future royalty of the Messiah Jesus, the only wise God and King of Kings, full of riches and grace, carried and delivered by His Holy Spirit. Could the Queen of Sheba be His church, much like Mary, who chose to come and sit at His feet and was so richly blessed?

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

— Luke 10:38-42

Goel—Redeemer

The Hebrew word for redeemer is "goel." This term refers to a designated family member who settles accounts on behalf of the family. If a family member was sold as a slave, it was the goel's responsibility to repurchase them. If a family member was killed, it was the goel's responsibility to avenge his family member's blood. As we can see in these descriptions, Jesus is, in fact, our goel/redeemer.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”

— Galatians 3:13

... you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

— I Peter 1:18-19

The Hebrew word pictograph for "goel" illustrates our redeemer being lifted up and resurrected. As discussed in an earlier section, the first letter, "gimel (ג)," is represented by a camel and conveys the idea of something being lifted up. The last two letters are "aleph (א)," represented by an ox, noted for its strength and dependability, and "lamed (ל)", a shepherd's staff symbolizing authority. These two letters together spell the Hebrew word "el (אל)," meaning God. All taken together, we have redemption that occurs when God is lifted up. This concept was borrowed from Mark Blitz at El Shaddai Ministries, as displayed in this section's video.

This photo is a clip from a free poster available at Bibleproject.com. Their Bible teachings are fabulous and available on YouTube.

The Book of Matthew

In chapters eight through ten, Matthew's third section exhibits three sets of three miracles, divided by two "follow me" commands, as presented in the Bible Project poster above. Miracles, signs, and wonders, also referred to as works, are healing, deliverance, and forgiveness, and they are things that only God can do, as Nicodemus observed

This man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.
— John 3:2

These works are by the Holy Spirit, as Peter informed Cornelius.

... how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him
— Acts 10:38

These three sets of three precede three Holy Spirit events.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
— Matthew 1:18
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
— Matthew 3:16
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil
— Matthew 4:1

The Sermon on the Mount follows these events. The mount, a type of resurrection, comes after the nine (3 x 3) Miracles that begin with "one who comes down."

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
— Matthew 8:1

Interestingly, there were two calls to follow immediately following these nine miracles. Jesus selects His twelve and sends them out with this same power.

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease ... saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give
— Matthew 10:1,6

The Transfiguration by James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum

The Transfiguration and Three Sets of Three

A third event in which these same three disciples, Peter, James, and John, are present is on the Mount of Transfiguration, as presented in three of the Gospels. The mountain on which this scene took place was Mount Hermon, which consists of three equal peaks and is Israel's highest mountain.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

— Mark 9:2

Luke records that they went to pray and explains that it was during prayer that Jesus was transformed.

He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
— Luke 9:28-29

Another set of three people in a divine state on this mountain was present: Elijah, the prophet who ascended into heaven in a chariot; Moses, whom God buried Himself; and Jesus.

And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
— Mark 9:4-5

There are some commonalities between all three figures: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah had forty-day and forty-night wilderness experiences. Jesus's event was when He was tempted by the devil (Luke 4, Matthew 4, Mark 1). Moses's event occurred on Mount Sinai at the giving of the law, and Elijah's happened on Mount Horeb while fleeing from Jezebel. In all three cases, God speaks, and angels appear. All three also occur on mountain tops.

A voice that emerges from a cloud could imply the third set of three beings.

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
— Matthew 17:5-8

Although Father, Son, and Holy Spirit aren't directly mentioned in the above event, they are indeed represented. The phrase "This is my beloved Son" assumes the Father and links back to Jesus' baptism when the Holy Spirit descends upon Him after He resurrects from the water. Therefore, these are implied.

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
— Matthew 3:16-17

Ancient Roman Tent Pegs
Bullenwächter

The Nail in a Sure Place

According to the typical method of Roman execution at that time, Jesus was most likely hung on the cross with three nails, one in each hand and one through both feet. The book of Isaiah prophesies a coming Messiah with "a nail in a sure place."

‘Then it shall be in that day,
That I will call My servant Eliakim (God will raise up - think resurrection), the son of Hilkiah (my portion is Yah) ...
I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place,
And he will become a glorious throne in his father’s house.
‘They will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house ...
— Isaiah 22:20,23-24

A cross typically weighed about 300 pounds, and the cross beam alone weighed about 100. The vertical part of the cross was permanently fixed, suggesting that vertical things are more solid and fixed. The crossbeam was then placed upon it. The person was most likely already attached to that part.

Christ was one of three mentioned who was hung on a cross that day.

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.
— Luke 23:32

Pilate declared His innocence three times in an appeal for His release before the event.

I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him ...
— Luke 23:14
... nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.
— Luke 23:15
Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”
— Luke 23:20-22

Three languages were represented in the inscription written over Him.

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
— Luke 23:38

Jesus' experience is said to have lasted three hours, between the sixth (3 x 2) and the ninth (3 x 3) hours. He prayed three prayers while on the cross. The first was concerning the purpose for which He went to the cross.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
— Luke 23:34

The second is that He pleads with God as He experiences the total forsakenness by God on our behalf as He takes on the full punishment for our sins.

And about the ninth (3x3) hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.
— Matthew 27:46

Thirdly, He prays a prayer of surrender.

‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’
— Matthew 27:46

What surety do we have in this?

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
— John 19:28-30

Vinegar is used three times in the above verse. Matthew records that this vinegar was mixed with gall, which is like bitter poison. The Psalmist prophesied about three bitter things that the suffering Messiah would experience.

Thou hast known my
reproach, and my
shame, and my
dishonour:

mine adversaries are all before thee They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

— Psalm 69:21

If you read the entire Psalm 69, you will find that it expresses his total crucifixion experience in depth and detail.

Interestingly, the Bible begins with a tree of life in the middle of a garden. Here, we have "Life" itself experiencing death for us on a dead tree buried in a garden.

Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid.
— John 19:41

The Garden of Gethsemane
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum

John 18—The Assurity of the Messiahship of Jesus

There were three instances in this chapter in which Jesus confirmed His Messiahship, each time saying, "I am He." The first two refer to the soldiers who had shown up in the garden to arrest Him, and an invisible force (spiritual) pushes them back and causes them to fall.

Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”

— John 18:4-6

The number three denotes the solidity of something. Jesus makes the rock-solid claim that He is the one they and all humanity seek. He stakes His claim to His messiahship.

Sources used for all parts of this series can be found in Part 20, the final installment.