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Where Did We Get That Expression?
Niki Behrikis Shanahan
There are many sayings and expressions that originate from the Bible. Even people who are well versed in the scriptures may not realize it. Here are just a sampling of some of them:
“Going
the extra mile”
This is in
reference to doing more than you need to do. Jesus said, “If someone forces you
to go one mile, go with him two miles.”
(Matthew 5:41)
“The blind leading the blind”
Jesus said, “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
(Matthew 15:14)
“Doubting Thomas”
A name used for someone who doesn’t believe something. Thomas was not with the
other disciples when Jesus appeared after His resurrection. Thomas said, unless
he saw for himself where the nails marked Jesus’ hands and side, he wouldn’t
believe that Jesus came back from the dead. (John 20:24-25)
“You can see the handwriting on the wall” God spoke to the Babylonian King during a celebration by writing words on
the banquet hall wall. They were words of doom, therefore, this expression has
a negative connotation. (Daniel 5:5)
“Money is the root of all evil” “You’re the salt of the
earth” “The Apple of
One’s Eye” God said, Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your
wings. (Psalm 17:8)
“Man
cannot live by bread alone”
Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
Also used in Luke 4:4. “United we
stand, divided we fall”
“Either you’re
with us or against us”
“A wolf in
sheep’s clothing” Jesus said, “watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
“Don’t let your left hand know what your right
hand is doing”
“You don’t know your left hand from your right
hand”
It
insinuates that you’re not very bright. God said, “but Nineveh has more
than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from
their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that
great city?" (Jonah 4:11) “I wash my hands of it” Pilate used this expression when he didn’t want anything to do with killing
Jesus. Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am
innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" (Matthew
27:24) Niki
Behrikis Shanahan is the author of There Is Eternal Life For Animals, The
Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss Is Heaven's Gain, and Animal Prayer
Guide. Pete Publishing,
www.eternalanimals.com. Available at
amazon.com. Article copyright 2003 Niki Behrikis Shanahan. All
rights reserved. Not to be used without author's explicit written
authorization.
Timothy said that the love of money was the root of all evil. Many people
wandered from the faith because of money and it resulted in hardship for them.
(1 Timothy 6:10) An interesting point to notice here is that the Bible says the
love of money – not money itself, is the root of all evil.
Jesus said of believers, “You’re the salt of the earth but if salt looses its
saltiness, can it be made salty again. It’s no longer good for anything except
to be thrown out and trampled by men.’ (Matthew 5:13) It means that you
shouldn’t forsake your love and commitment to God.
Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
(Proverbs 7:2)
Also used in Deuteronomy 32:10.