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G1542 · Greek · New Testament
ἑκατονταπλασίων
Hekatontaplasiōn
Adjective
Hundredfold

Definition

The Greek hekatontaplasiōn means hundredfold and appears in Jesus' promise to those who give up home, family, or land for the kingdom: 'I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life' (Luke 18:29-30). Mark 10:30 specifies the hundredfold return 'in this age' — plus persecutions.

Usage & Theological Significance

The hekatontaplasiōn promise is both encouraging and surprising. Jesus does not say 'your sacrifice will be worth it in heaven.' He says it will be returned a hundred times in this present age — plus eternal life. The kingdom community becomes the new family for those who have lost family for Christ's sake. The church is the hekatontaplasiōn house: 'brothers, sisters, mothers, children.' Mark 10:30 adds the sobering 'and with them, persecutions' — the hundredfold comes with the cross attached. There is no abundance without suffering in the kingdom's present age.

Key Bible Verses

Mark 10:30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — along with persecutions — and in the age to come eternal life.
Luke 18:29 I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Mark 4:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.

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