L

important examples of BIBLE HYPERBOLE'S

A Hyperbole is a statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, Hyperbole is a common device in everyday conversation used to create emphasis, evoke strong emotion, and make a point. We exaggerate to emphasize a concept; not meant to be taken literally. A Hyperbole adds color, and drama to speech.

The Bible is a holy book, sacred in its inspiration and use, but it also uses literary devices and genres such as poetry, narrative, metaphor, and even hyperbole.

Jesus especially used hyperbole during his teachings to express the extreme and absolute truth of his doctrine. However, he never meant for us to take certain phrases and ideas literally.

Proper reading of the scripture means realizing when Christ was using hyperbole to make a point. Here are some examples

1. Pluck Out Your Eye if it offends you. The seriousness of sin IS EMPHASIZED HERE . Our disobedience to God hurts ourselves and others, and seen through God’s eyes, sin is an extremely disturbing act, going against the image of God that He created.Jesus uses this disturbing image of plucking out our own eyes to reveal how awful and self-destructive sin is. In other words, Jesus is explaining how we should avoid sin like we would avoid mangling our own body since sin mangles our eternal soul.This is the exact opposite of literally telling us to disfigure ourselves. Jesus wants us to live according to righteousness to be whole and complete. Also, Jesus continually explains how sin is an issue of the heart, Not external. Disfiguring ourselves won’t address the root of sin in our own desires. It is those desires we must see as needing to change and remove, and Jesus continually preached repentance and a change of heart over self-inflicted harm. This type of religious self-harm is legalistic to the extreme, it is the opposite of grace and inward change. Interpreting these verses literally contradicts the overall message of grace, forgiveness, and transformation that Jesus taught. Jesus often used hyperbolic language to emphasize the Sseriousness of sin as he consistently preached repentance and a change of heart over self-inflicted harm.“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell”(Matthew 5:29-30). Many followers left following Him because they were still thinking naturally, so much so that he turned to his closest disciples and asked if they were going to leave him, too. Their response was, “Where can we go? You have the words of life.” They stuck with him and got the explanation later during the first communion.2. Eat human flesh and drink its blood “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him’” (John 6:53-56). It might seem silly for us to take this one literally since it contradicts the sacramental understanding of the Eucharist in many Christian traditions. The majority of Christians believe the bread and wine used in communion symbolizes the body and blood of Christ, commemorating his sacrifice, rather than literally becoming his flesh and blood like the Lutherans believe.(the Catholics believe differently . It’s called Consubstantiation= it is the body and blood of Jesus. The Lutherans are close to it calling it Transubstantiation= It turns into His Body and Blood

We have almost two thousand years of clear teaching and religious traditions where we don’t actually eat flesh and drink blood. The Jews of Jesus’ day didn’t have that history, and the large crowd hearing him speak these words were understandably offended and confused.on one level Jesus’ regular use of hyperboles might give a lue to this phrase as a metaphor. At the same time, eating human flesh and drinking human blood was against clear biblical prohibitions against consuming blood (Leviticus 17:11-12).This sounded like cannibalism and human sacrifice, which is what the evil, idolatrous nations would do, these nations God wiped out for this particular sin.In context, Jesus didn’t explain how he didn’t mean it literally when most of the crowd left him that day. It was a challenge to accept him completely and wholeheartedly. going to leave him, too. Their response, “Where can we go? You have the words of life.” They stuck with him and got the explanation later during the first communion.“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him’” (John 6:53-56).This is the exact opposite of literally telling us to disfigure ourselves. Jesus wants us to live according to righteousness to be whole and complete.Also, Jesus continually explains how sin is an issue of the heart, not external. Disfiguring ourselves won’t address the root of sin, our own desires.

It is those desires we must see as needing to change and remove, and Jesus continually preached repentance and a change of heart over self-inflicted harm. This type of religious self-harm is legalistic to the extreme, the opposite of grace and inward change.Interpreting these verses literally contradicts the overall message of grace, forgiveness, and transformation that Jesus taught. Jesus often used hyperbolic language to emphasize the seriousness of sin, but he consistently preached repentance and a change of heart over self-inflicted harm.“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell”(Matthew 5:29-30).

3. . Trampling Serpents and Scorpions“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you”( (Luke 10:19).This verse is part of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as he sent them out to preach. The use of metaphors like “snakes and scorpions” and “power of the enemy” symbolizes spiritual dangers and opposition rather than literal creatures.TakingLuke 10:19 literally can lead to misunderstandings and dangerous behavior. Interpreting it as a mandate to handle dangerous animals or test one’s immunity to harm might disregard the broader message of faith .A literal reading overlooks the broader teachings ofhumility and reliance on God. The Bible consistently encourages believers to place their trust in God’s protection, rather than testing it recklessly.The context is being sent out to preach the gospel, and the disciples were sure to meet resistance, both spiritual and physical. For us, we should also understand how we are called to the Great Commission, to go and make disciples, and as such, will encounter spiritual and physical resistance.Here we should take the words of Jesus that are found in (Lk. 4:12) that says; “thou shall not tempt the lord thy GOD.”4. Hate Your Mom and Dad Did Jesus want us to hate our families? Shouldn’t we love people?Interpreting this verse literally would conflict with other teachings of Jesus that emphasize love, compassion, and familial responsibilities. Jesus himself taught the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself and the parable of the Good Samaritan, which underlines the importance of caring for others. The principle of interpreting Scripture in light of the overall message of the Bible is essential. Jesus’ central teachings encourage love, reconciliation, and harmony among individuals and families.A prophecy related to John the Baptist announcing the coming Messiah is how God would turn the hearts of fathers to their children and children to the fathers.The term “hate” is extreme, especially in light of our relationships with family, and this would get anyone’s attention. Yet Christ wasn’t telling us to be abusive or hateful to our family. This was a matter of identity and how Christ should have primacy in our lives. True disciples of Jesus must love him above all else, which is why other translations say, “Anyone who loves mother or father more than me isn’t worthy of being my disciple.”

We are to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. The resulting promise is how all of our earthly worries will be taken care of in light of seeking first the Kingdom, which would naturally include family relationships and reconciliation. If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).

We can take comfort in God’s protection and power to defeat and overcome spiritual conflict while called on His mission.Researched and compiled By;Rev. George Pryor M. Th. Pastor Emeritus

revgap@gmail.com

website; www.revgeorge.myeweb.net

We can take comfort in God’s protection and power to defeat and overcome spiritual conflict while called on His mission.

Researched and compiled By;

Rev. George Pryor M. Th.

Pastor Emeritus

revgap@gmail.com

 www.revgeorge..net