Number 3 in the Bible

Three is the number of The Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Three Wise Men came to Jesus bearing three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Jesus spread Christianity for three years – according to the Gospel of John.

Jesus predicted that Peter would deny knowing him three times before the cock crowed. (Luke 22:34)

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

Jesus spoke of his threefold role:

the way – the truth – the life

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Saul’s (Paul) Conversion to Christianity

Saul was on his way to Damascus when he fell to the ground hearing the voice of Jesus asking: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

When he opened his eyes he could not see anything. “And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank”. Acts 9:9.

Saul converted to Christianity and was later known as Paul.

Paul suffered “Three times I have been beaten with rods. Three times I have been shipwrecked.” 2. Corinthians 11:25

The Angels

Three angels visited Abraham announcing that his wife, Sarah, was to give birth to a son. (Genesis, chapter 18)

Noah’s Sons

Noah had three sons: Shem – Ham – Japheth The story of Noah is in Genesis chapter 7 -10

Jonah in the Whale

Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a whale.

“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” The Book of Jonah 1:17

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40

Alter piece by Nicholas of Verdun, Klosemeuburg, Austria

Days in prison

Joseph was made governor after he had successfully interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh.

When his brothers arrived in Egypt to buy grain, they did not recognize Joseph. Joseph put them in prison for three days. Genesis chapter 42.

The Temptation of Christ

After Jesus was baptized, he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert.

During this time Satan tried to tempt Jesus three times. Satan was unsuccessful.

1. Satan asked Jesus to turn stone into bread. Jesus answered: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

2. Satan asked Jesus to jump off a pinnacle and rely on the angles to save him. Jesus said to him, “Again you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Matthew 4:7

3. Satan asked Jesus to worship the devil in return for all the kingdoms of the world. Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! for it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Matthew 4:10  

Jesus raised three people from the dead:

1. The only son of a widow from Nain. Luke 7:11-14

2. The daughter of the religious leader in Jairus. Mark 35 – 42

3. Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha. John 11:1-44

 Parable of the Good Samaritan

“A man was going down from Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving   him half dead.” Luke 10:30

Three people arrived at the site where the man lay half dead:

1. A priest – passed without helping

2. A Levite – passed without helping

3. A Samaritan – showed mercy and took care of him