50+ Bible Verses About Allegory and Their Relevance Today

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not overcome it.”

Jesus proclaims that His church or the collection of all His followers will be built on the bedrock, which is the declaration of faith in Him as Christ, the son of the Almighty God.

“I am taking these things figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.”

This verse illustrates by showing the difference in the birth of two sons, one born into slavery and one born of a free woman. It states that living under the law is pointless as the only way to seek justification and to become God’s children is through faith in Christ.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Here, a comparison is made of a sinner who has lost his ways with God, through parables, drawing the conclusion that it is rejoicing to get back that which is lost, i.e., the lost soul here, among all others that are already present.  

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Through this verse, it is dictated that those who are unbelievers who are sinners such as murderers, idolators, those who practice black magic, or who are sexually immoral will be face consequences which are symbolized as eternal suffering in the lake of fire.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people claim to have faith but have no deeds? Can such faith save them?”

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.”

“If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”

“You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”

“Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?”

“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.”

“You see that people are justified by what they do and not by faith alone.”

“In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?”

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

Mere acceptance of the facts about God is not a sign of true faith. It would be as pointless as wishing good for someone who is poor without doing something to help the person. A strong and well-guided faith can be recognized if it leads to good works. 

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the worshiper’s conscience.”

The parts of the temple, along with the many rituals carried out within, was meant to be symbolic in nature in order to guide towards the path of redemption. However, unlike the many ritualistic sacrifices, the one of Christ is non-recurring and the only correct way to God.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

One should be aware of false teachers and their wicked behavior towards those invested in the true teachings about God, that are the scriptures, for they are divine and are an extension of His will. These will help benefit the readers in a lot of areas of life.

“But with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

It is pointed out that a woman of good faith should focus on good works and godliness rather than with dressing up or bothering about their appearance. Also, they should take up learning about God and practicing their faith in quietness and not overrule authority.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

It should be known to all that there is great wealth in the mystery, that is, Christ, after His sacrifice, lives in all who have faith in Him and one who is aware of this truth can be assured of eternal life and glory with the Almighty and supreme creator that is God.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Believers, regardless of their differences which have been saved by their faith in the Lord, belong to a single group of Christians. They also possess gifts provided by the grace of God for fulfilling their purposes. Thus, they should take delight in their unity and live peacefully to serve Him.

“But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.”

Here, we see a comparison between two versions of Jerusalem, one which was a slave to the Romans and also under the law of Moses and the other which is free from any law. This Jerusalem is described as a mother to those saved by having faith in Christ rather than being born into some kind of law or slavery.

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

This presents a contrast between the ministers of the new covenant who spread the message of salvation through faith in Christ and to live by the spirit of the Holy power for greater glory, as opposed to those who preached about following the law of Moses which was not a proper path to God.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

Believers have been made free from following the law because of the sacrifice of Christ. However, they should live in harmony and praise the glory of the Lord while still relying on the scriptures of the old days for hope and encouragement for the strength to persevere in hard times.

“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”

In the manner in which a wife is released from commitment to her husband after his death, believers of Christ, through their spiritual death, are released from following the law of Moses so as to serve the higher purpose of doing good works in the name of the Lord.

“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.”

Disciples of the Lord have been taught the ways of God by Christ through the use of parables in order to be able to connect better with limited knowledge. However, after the impending resurrection after His death, these would become more relevant, and at that time, he would teach them in plain words.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Followers are made aware of the contrast between a flock owned by the devil who has malicious intent and allows ungodly people to cause suffering, whereas Jesus provides guidance with the intention of providing material and spiritual prosperity in abundance along with eternal life.

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

One can attain salvation by God’s grace, through seeking forgiveness at the cross of Christ but following the path of discipleship is difficult and painful as one has to carry their own cross and requires submission to His will and following His word with obedience.

“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.”

Through parables, believers are made aware that like a mustard seed that grows into a tree bigger than other plants and like flour grows when added with yeast, the Lord’s kingdom of Heaven will grow much larger with those that have strong faith in God’s word. 

“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Followers must carry their crosses which implies that they must be willing to die in a spiritual manner and submit themselves to walking the difficult path of Christ rather than following their own ways by being self-righteous and must love Him above all; such is God’s commandment.

“For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

One who is against forgiving others has not experienced God’s forgiveness, for no sin can be greater than the sin against God. If He, being the compassionate and merciful power, is ready to forgive, then His followers should also be able to do so within themselves.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Christ had pointed out that He had not arrived to stand against the law of Moses dictated by God but for the fulfillment of such law. Based on the law, He had not only lived His life sinless and in a perfectly righteous manner, but His sacrifice also paid the ultimate price once and for all to atone for all sins of man. 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Disciples of the Lord have some roles in their lives, such as doing the good works instructed by Him, and this is presented by comparing them metaphorically with the salt and light of the earth for both have various important functions but have the risk of diluting or losing their properties.

And asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Followers are presented with an account of the birth of Jesus, which was observed by a group of wise men, the Magi, as a certain star in the sky and was believed by them to be the arrival of an important king and hence went on to admire and worship the new-born child in Bethlehem.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

God had proclaimed Israel as His chosen nation and had shown mercy to His people, and even when they rejected their Messiah, it was love that made Him send His son among people to pay for their sins with His life so that they can attain salvation just by faith in His name.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”

“In that state he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits”

“To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.”

Jesus had paid for all sins of humans through a singular act of His sacrifice, and just as in the story of Noah’s Ark, Noah had been saved due to His righteousness, and the rest were washed away, through faith in Christ one can be saved by baptism by being joined with His resurrection.

“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”

A person who is unwise in a way that he does not truly fear the Lord will possess an unpleasant reputation and will find himself inclined towards the path of the wrong, which will get him into trouble and will label others as foolish. Therefore, one should be righteous and wise by fearing the Lord and keeping to His word.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

“God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”

“God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day.”

God is an infinite source of power and is the source of all creation. He gave form to the universe, created every life and every phenomenon, provided a name, and proclaimed it as something good. He holds authority over all creations and maintains it by assigning purpose.