The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 53
The possible meaning of the number 53 is derived from both facts about and writings within Scripture.
In 53 A.D., the Apostle Paul, after residing in Syrian Antioch for less than a year, embarks on his third missionary campaign. His travels, which begin in the summer, will take him to cities within the province of Galatia, as well as Antioch in Pisidia, Ephesus, Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica, Corinth, Troas and other destinations.
During his third journey, which runs from 53 to 58 A.D., Paul will write the books of 1 and 2Corinthians as well as Romans. During this evangelistic tour he will turn fifty-three years old in 55 A.D. His extensive travels finally end when he reaches Jerusalem before the day of Pentecost in 58.
Appearances of the number fifty-three
Book number 53, in most modern Bible translations, is 2Thessalonians. This writing, penned by the Apostle Paul in 51 A.D., was his second of fourteen books that would ultimately be included as a part of Scripture.
Prophecies and number fifty-three
Isaiah 53 offers several profound prophecies concerning the Messiah's ministry and his death. Some of these include the following.
He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not (verse 3, fulfilled in John 12:37 - 38).
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted; yet He opened not His mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before its shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth (verse 7, fulfilled in Mark 15:3).
Therefore I will divide to Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He has poured out His soul to death (verse 12 of Isaiah 53 fulfilled in Luke 23:33 - 34).
Fools and the number 53
Written by King David, Psalm 53 gives us a true definition of a fool! It also reveals the real life consequences of humans refusing, despite the overwhelming evidence (Romans 1:19 - 22), to acknowledge God exists and deserves to be obeyed.
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have worked out abominable wickedness; there is no one who does good.
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understand, who are seeking after God. Every one has turned away; they have altogether become corrupt; no one is doing good, no, not even one (verses 1 - 3 of Psalm 53).
More Info on Biblical Meaning of 53
The book of Zephaniah was written by the minor prophet in 626 B.C. The book has three chapters and 53 verses.
The King James chapters of 1Kings 1, 1Kings 22, Luke 24 and John 7 have exactly fifty-three verses.
The only Scriptural writings that contain more than 53 chapters are the Psalms and the book of Isaiah the prophet.