It’s easy to assume that ancient texts like the Bible have little to offer in terms of contemporary relevance. However, you might be surprised to know just how many common phrases and idioms trace their origins back to scripture. In this article, we’re highlighting 21 things people say all the time that are actually taken from Scripture.
By the Skin of Your Teeth
This saying comes from the Bible’s Book of Job. It means that someone barely made it through a situation. Job faced a lot of tough times and came through with nothing left, just like when we say someone escaped “by the skin of their teeth.”
The Blind Leading the Blind
It comes from Jesus in the Bible (Matthew 15:14) when He said it to describe religious leaders who were misguiding people. Nowadays, it’s used more broadly to describe any situation where there’s a lack of knowledge or experience, yet someone is still trying to guide others.
Rise and Shine
This phrase is from the Bible, in the book of Isaiah 60:1. Isaiah was calling for people to get up and see the light that has come. Today, it’s not necessarily used in a religious context but more as a general wakeup call to get the day started.
The Writing is on the Wall
This saying means that there are clear signs that something bad is going to happen. It comes from a story in the Bible’s Book of Daniel where writing appeared on a wall during a big party, predicting the fall of the king.
Turn the Other Cheek
This phrase, from the Bible (Matthew 5:39), is used to express the act of ignoring insults and not seeking revenge. Jesus said it to encourage others to not fight back when attacked verbally or physically. In today’s world, it’s a common phrase used to promote peace and forgiveness.
Go the Extra Mile
Jesus encouraged going an extra mile when forced to go one to demonstrate exceptional effort (Matthew 5:41). People today use it to appreciate extra effort, hard work, and overdelivery. It signifies doing more than necessary to make a positive impression.
A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots
This is from Jeremiah 13:23 and means people can’t change their true nature, especially bad habits or character. Today, people use it to express skepticism about someone’s ability to change. It’s often used when someone has a history of a particular behavior, making it difficult to believe they can change.
Cast the First Stone
This is a saying from John 8:7 in the Bible. Jesus used it when a crowd wanted to stone a woman for adultery. He meant that only someone without sin should start the punishment. Today, it’s used to call out hypocrites or remind others that everyone makes mistakes.
Wash Your Hands of the Matter
This phrase comes from Matthew 27:24 and is used when someone wants to completely distance themselves from a problem or situation. Pilate, the governor, washed his hands to show he didn’t want to be involved in Jesus’s death.
Bite the Dust
People use “bite the dust” to say that someone has fallen or failed. It’s an informal way to express defeat. But this isn’t just a line from a song; it has ancient roots in the Bible. In the books of Psalms and Kings, this phrase is used in poetic descriptions of defeat.
The Salt of the Earth
The phrase “the salt of the earth” originates from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5:13. Jesus referred to his followers with this phrase to mean that they were valuable and essential. If someone is called the salt of the earth, it means they’re regarded as a great person, full of goodness and reliability.
Be a Good Samaritan
“Be a Good Samaritan” originates from a parable Jesus told in Luke 10:25-37. It means to help others, especially those in need or trouble. The phrase is often associated with acts of kindness that demonstrate a caring and empathetic attitude towards fellow human beings.
The Straight and Narrow
This phrase refers to a lifestyle of moral integrity and righteousness. It is found in Matthew 7:14 in the Bible, where Jesus speaks about the difficult path leading to life, suggesting moral living isn’t always easy but leads to reward.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
This phrase is used to describe someone who appears harmless or friendly but is actually dangerous or untrustworthy. It comes from one of Jesus’s teachings in Matthew 7:15, where he warned his followers to be wary of false prophets who would come disguised as harmless sheep but are inwardly like ravenous wolves.
The Powers That Be
This phrase refers to the individuals or groups who hold authority and power in a particular context or society. It is derived from Romans 13:1, where Paul advised Christians to be subject to “the powers that be,” meaning the governing authorities.
Fight the Good Fight
This phrase encourages people to put forth a strong effort and persevere, particularly in the face of challenges or adversity. It originates from 1 Timothy 6:12 in the New Testament, where Paul encourages Timothy to “fight the good fight of the faith.”
The Ends of the Earth
In the Bible, it’s used multiple times to describe God’s dominion over the entire world, and the spread of his message to every corner of the earth. In modern usage, it’s often used to express the idea of going to great lengths or distances to achieve something.
Scapegoat
The term “scapegoat” originates from an ancient Jewish ritual described in Leviticus 16. A goat was sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people, symbolically removing their wrongdoings. In contemporary language, a scapegoat is a person blamed for the faults or mistakes of others, often to divert attention or responsibility away from themselves.
Apple of My Eye
This phrase is used to refer to someone cherished above all others, derived from the Bible, like in Zechariah 2:8, where it’s used metaphorically to represent God’s care for the Jewish people. Today, it signifies a deep level of affection and care for another person.
See Eye to Eye
Originating from Isaiah 52:8 in the Bible, the phrase “see eye to eye” is used today to express agreement or shared views among individuals. In the original context, it referred to the restoration of Zion, where watchmen will see eye to eye when the Lord returns.
Fall from Grace
The phrase “fall from grace” is derived from Galatians 5:4 in the New Testament, where Paul uses it to describe those who seek justification through the law rather than through faith. In modern terms, it’s often used to describe someone who has lost their reputation or status.
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