How to Interpret the Bible: Literal and Figurative Language

Why This Matters
Understanding the difference between literal and figurative language is essential for rightly dividing the word of truth. Misreading the Bible—especially mistaking figures of speech for literal statements or vice versa—has led to centuries of confusion, error, and division. This lesson begins to lay the groundwork for understanding biblical figures of speech, their purpose, how to identify them, and how to interpret them responsibly.

Why the Bible Uses Figurative Language
Just as we use figurative speech in daily conversation to illustrate, emphasize, make concepts memorable, or describe what cannot easily be seen, so does the Bible. Figures of speech make spiritual truths more vivid and easier to grasp. They help us relate to what is unfamiliar and cause important lessons to stick. Jesus frequently used parables, metaphors, and similes to both reveal truth to the honest and conceal it from the disinterested, as seen in Matthew 13:10–17.

When Is a Passage Figurative?
Determining whether a statement is literal or figurative requires thoughtful consideration. There are clues that help with this. For instance, if a passage involves an impossibility or absurdity, such as Jesus saying in Luke 9:60, “Let the dead bury their own dead,” we know this cannot be literal since the physically dead cannot bury anyone. This points us to a symbolic meaning.

Likewise, when a passage seems to contain internal contradictions, we are prompted to seek a figurative explanation. In John 11:25–26, Jesus speaks of believers never dying, though all people physically die. This teaches a spiritual truth about eternal life, not physical survival. Another example is in Matthew 18:8–9, where Jesus advises cutting off hands or plucking out eyes to avoid sin. The Bible elsewhere teaches us to honor and preserve our bodies, not mutilate them, which shows this teaching is figurative.

Context and common sense also play vital roles. In John 4:10–15, Jesus offers the Samaritan woman “living water.” Her literal interpretation doesn’t match the message, so it becomes clear He is referring to spiritual nourishment. Some passages are clarified within the text itself. In John 2:19–21, Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” and the passage explains that He is speaking of His body.

Guidelines for Interpreting Figurative Language
When we identify that a passage is figurative, we must determine what kind of figure it is. Is it a simile, metaphor, parable, allegory, or hyperbole? Knowing the category helps guide us to its meaning. We should accept any explanations the Bible gives, as in Luke 8:11, which says plainly, “The seed is the word of God.” Figurative meanings must harmonize with the rest of scripture and should not contradict clear teachings.

The customs of the time also help in understanding figures of speech. Many are based on familiar occupations, family roles, or natural imagery from biblical times. We must not press figures too far, extracting symbolic meaning from every detail unnecessarily. Also, a figure may not carry the same meaning in every context. For example, leaven represents the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13:33 but symbolizes false doctrine in Matthew 16:6–12.

Irony and Sarcasm
Irony involves saying the opposite of what is meant, often to emphasize a point. Job 12:2 illustrates this well when Job replies to his critic, “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.” In modern terms, we might say, “Well, you must be the last Einstein.” This type of speech, far from being irreverent, often delivers more force than direct contradiction.

The Lord Himself uses irony in Judges 10:14, when He tells Israel to cry out to the false gods they had chosen. Elijah uses sarcasm against the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:27, suggesting their god may be asleep or traveling. Paul employs irony in 1 Corinthians 4:8–14 to rebuke the prideful attitude in Corinth. Sarcasm is also vividly present in the mocking of Jesus in Matthew 27:29 and Mark 15:31–32, where Roman soldiers and onlookers deride Him with false praise.

Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an intentional exaggeration used to emphasize a point. The Bible frequently uses it to express sorrow, power, or abundance. Psalm 119:136 says, “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,” conveying deep sorrow over disobedience. Judges 7:12 speaks of enemy camels “without number,” emphasizing their overwhelming multitude.

2 Samuel 1:23 remembers Saul and Jonathan as “swifter than eagles” and “stronger than lions,” highlighting their valor. Psalm 6:6 pictures David’s grief: “I make my bed swim… I drench my couch with my tears.” John 21:25 says the world itself could not contain all the books if everything Jesus did were written—demonstrating the vast scope of His life and works.

Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism attributes human features to God to help us understand His actions. In Exodus 33:22–23, God tells Moses that His “hand” will cover him and that Moses will see His “back,” though God is spirit and has no physical body. 1 Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous… His ears are open to their prayers.” These expressions are not literal but convey God’s attentiveness and involvement.

Personification
Personification assigns human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Isaiah 55:12 says the mountains and hills shall “break forth into singing” and the trees will “clap their hands.” These images are not literal but express the overwhelming joy and harmony of nature in response to God’s word. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says, “Tomorrow will worry about itself,” showing how even time is personified to emphasize living one day at a time. In 1 Corinthians 12:15–16, body parts like the foot and ear are said to speak, highlighting the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. Leviticus 18:25 describes the land as vomiting out its inhabitants, showing God's judgment through vivid imagery.

Paronomasia (Play on Words)
This figure involves a pun or wordplay, where the same word is used with different meanings in close proximity. In Matthew 8:22, Jesus says, “Let the dead bury their own dead,” meaning let the spiritually dead care for the physically dead. The repetition drives home the point of urgency in discipleship and illustrates how figures of speech enhance memorability and clarity.

Prolepsis (Anticipation)
Prolepsis refers to speaking of future events as though they have already occurred. In Genesis 12:8, Bethel is mentioned by name even though it was not called that until later (Genesis 28:19). In Matthew 10:4, Judas is called “the one who also betrayed Him” before the betrayal actually happens. These expressions confirm the certainty of God’s declarations and are common in prophetic and narrative passages.

Ellipsis
Ellipsis is the omission of words that are understood from context. In Matthew 11:18, Jesus says John came “neither eating nor drinking,” which omits the clarification that John refrained from social dining, not that he literally never ate or drank. The context makes the meaning clear, and this form keeps the language concise and vivid.

Idioms
Idioms are culturally specific expressions whose meanings are not literal. In Acts 2:46, “breaking bread” refers to eating a meal in fellowship. Idioms reflect the Bible’s accessibility to ordinary people and help bridge cultural gaps when interpreted correctly.

Apostrophe
Apostrophe addresses an absent or imaginary person or object as though present. In 2 Samuel 18:33, David mourns, “O my son Absalom… if only I had died in your place.” Absalom is dead, but David speaks to him in sorrow. This heightens the emotion and underscores the reality of grief.

Interrogation (Rhetorical Questions)
This figure uses questions to emphasize truth or provoke thought. Hebrews 1:14 asks, “Are they not all ministering spirits…?” The answer is obvious: yes. Romans 8:33–35 presents a series of questions about condemnation and separation from Christ’s love, all implying strong affirmations of God’s steadfastness and grace. These rhetorical questions serve as powerful teaching tools.

Conclusion
The Bible is filled with figures of speech that deepen our understanding, stir our emotions, and clarify God’s message. From personification to prolepsis, idioms to interrogatives, these literary tools make Scripture more impactful and memorable. A faithful student must learn to discern them, respect their purpose, and rightly apply them in study and teaching.

Sermon Outline — How to Interpret the Bible: Literal and Figurative Language

1. Why This Matters

• Misreading the Bible can lead to false doctrine and division.
• Distinguishing literal from figurative is key to rightly dividing the Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

2. Why the Bible Uses Figurative Language

• To make spiritual truths vivid, relatable, and memorable.
• To reveal truth to the sincere and hide it from the indifferent (Matthew 13:10–17).

3. When Is a Passage Figurative?

• When it presents an absurdity (Luke 9:60).
• When it seems to contradict other scriptures (Matthew 18:8–9; John 11:25–26).
• When clarified within the text (John 2:19–21; John 4:10–15).

4. Guidelines for Interpreting Figurative Language

• Identify the type of figure: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, etc.
• Stay within biblical context and harmonize with all scripture (Luke 8:11).
• Avoid over-interpreting details or applying meanings inconsistently.

5. Examples of Figurative Language

• Irony and Sarcasm – Job 12:2; Judges 10:14; 1 Kings 18:27
• Hyperbole – Psalm 6:6; John 21:25
• Anthropomorphism – Exodus 33:22–23; 1 Peter 3:12
• Personification – Isaiah 55:12; Matthew 6:34
• Paronomasia (Wordplay) – Matthew 8:22
• Prolepsis (Anticipation) – Matthew 10:4; Genesis 12:8
• Ellipsis – Matthew 11:18
• Idioms – Acts 2:46
• Apostrophe – 2 Samuel 18:33
• Interrogation (Rhetorical Questions) – Romans 8:33–35

Call to Action

God’s Word is not only inspired—it is intelligently crafted. It calls for careful, reverent interpretation. Will you commit to handling it faithfully? Will you deepen your study by learning how God communicates through figures of speech? The truth is clear to those who seek it rightly. Let us study with purpose, humility, and diligence—because eternity depends on understanding His message.