The bible is full of symbolism. As you read the bible over and over, you will begin to understand the symbolism. If you only listen to others talk about the bible or preach, it is doubtful that you will have good understanding of the bible. In fact, without reading the bible, it is very likely that you will be easily persuaded to doubt it. To some, it will seem nonsensical. However, as you read and also realize that the bible was written by many different people over time, you will come to realize the truths in the bible and will grow closer to God. Some of the symbolism of the bible is discussed below.
Jesus as the Door
Jesus says in John 10: “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep”, and again, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture”. A door allows us to move from one place to another. Jesus allows us to move from this life which is perishable to a life with God that is everlasting. The Jewish Passover represents a time when the Jews placed a lamb’s blood over a door so that they would be protected against the angel of death. Jesus is the door and Jesus’ blood was shed to protect us from the second death (see Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14 and 21:8 for better understanding of the second death).
Jesus as the Word
John 1: 1-5, 10-15 The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus’ Blood as the Wine
John 2:1-10 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
Luke 22:20 (at the Lord’s supper) And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.
Note: The turning of the water to wine at the wedding by Jesus is often interpreted as the introduction of the new covenant. The old covenant consisted of Jewish laws, purification by water of the High priest, and sacrifices offered for sin repeatedly. This was replaced by the new convenant which allowed us to be saved through Jesus’ blood. He was without sin and was offered as the ultimate sacrifice to save us once and for all becoming the everlasting High Priest. The choice “wine” at the wedding (representing Jesus’ blood and sacrifice) was better than the “cheap wine” (representing the old sacrificial system that did not offer everlasting forgiveness).
Jesus as the Servant
Many verses of the bible mention Jesus as a servant. Acts 3:26 says, “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” Beginning in Philippians 2:4 it states, “do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Jesus came as a bond-servant dying on the cross in order to bring us into God’s family guaranteeing us eternal life and freedom from sin and death.
Jesus as the Light
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
John 3: 19-21 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Jesus as the New Covenant
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Note: The new covenant is through Jesus saving us and is unlike the old covenant which was through the written law (or letter as referred to in the 2 Corinthian’s verse). The written law required humankind to follow rules and regulation which they were unable to do. In addition, breaking of these laws required an imperfect sacrificial system that must be repeatedly done. We are no longer slaves to the written law but are saved through Jesus Christ (Yeshua) who was without sin and paid the ultimate ultimate sacrifice setting us free once and for all. We are now heirs and were brought into sonship by Christ’s actions.
Though we are free as heirs, God calls us to be like Christ and become bond-servants while on earth meaning we should share the news of salvation to others and help save the lost.
Jesus as the Bread
John 6:29-35 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.
Personal observations about bible symbolism:
These are personal observations of possible symbolism meant for discussion. It appears most of the stories throughout the bible point to Jesus/God in some way. These observations may not be accurate as they are my own personal observations. I encourage others to read the bible on their own and to pray to God for understanding. Regardless, there is definitely symbolism and signs in the bible for us to heed.
Jacob A website that delves into parallels between Jacob and Jesus, https://theinplacemissionary.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/old-and-new-testament-parallels-symbols-and-ponderings-series-part-5-jacob-as-a-type-of-christ/
Joseph (Jacob’s son by Rachael) symbolized as Jesus who was sold into slavery, despised by his brothers but saved his brothers. Some parallels between Joseph and Jesus include both being sold for silver (Gen 37:28; Matt 26:15), stripped of their clothing (Gen 37:23; Matt 27:28), bound (Gen 39:30; Matt 27:2) and condemned with two other criminals (Gen 40:1–3; Luke 23:22–23), one of whom received life and the other death (Gen 40:20–23; Luke 23:39–43).
Manasseh and Ephraim (Joseph’s sons) possibly symbolized as the gentiles grafted in with the Israelites (their mother was Egyptian not an Israelite) – see Genesis 48. Manasseh and Ephraim would have been the youngest sons brought into the 12 tribes of Israel just as the gentiles were brought in to the house of God after the Jews. Interesting commentary from another website, http://torahmatters.blogspot.com/2015/05/ephraim-and-manasseh-story-beneath-story.html.
Moses – The parallels between Moses and Jesus include the following 1) Moses led the Israelites out of slavery into the promised land. Jesus led us all (Jew and Gentile) out of slavery to sin through his death on the cross which allows for us to be reborn and led into the spiritual promised land “the new Jerusalem”. 2) Moses fasted 40 days to receive God’s law. Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert before being tested by satan and beginning his ministry. 3) Moses prepared 70 elders to help the people. Jesus sent 70 disciples. 4) They were both born when ruling kings demanded the killing of little boys 5) Moses brought the covenant of law and deeds. Jesus brought the new covenant of faith. 6) Moses brought forth the 10 commandments from God. Jesus brought forth the sermon on the mount. 7) Manna was sent to Moses and the Israelites in the desert. Jesus fed bread to a great multitude in a deserted place from only a few loaves – Jesus explained in the New Testament, that he is the bread of life.
Jesus’ Miracles – If you study the miracles of Jesus, you will see how they fulfill the prophecy of the Old Testament and are rich with symbolism including topics such as a wedding, bread, wine, feeding many, blindness, sickness, water, and bringing back to life those who have died.
More to come…..
NOTE: Some people believe that the writers of the New Testament may have crafted stories about Jesus to make it appear he fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures. Arguments against this theory include: 1) Christians were highly persecuted and killed in horrendous ways during this time – what benefit did they have to make a new religion knowing it could mean their very death? 2) They debated many topics in the New Testament such as whether gentiles could receive the word, whether gentiles needed circumcision, what laws gentiles needed to follow, what was the role of women, etc. If the writers took the liberty to craft their own stories about Jesus and Christianity, wouldn’t they have provided definitive answers regarding the topics rather than presenting debate? 3) Jesus was cryptic about his identity in the New Testament often using parables. If the gospel authors took the liberty to make things up, why wouldn’t they have had Jesus speak more clearly about his divine nature? 4) Based on the Old Testament, Jews believed the Messiah would be a king who would come to rescue them (and during that time believed he would rescue them from Roman occupation). Why would the writers make up resurrection, ascension, and Jesus’s return if they believed the Messiah was coming only once and to rescue them? 5) What benefit would they gain? Lastly, the Old and New Testaments were written by many different people in different centuries, it would be impossible to create this masterpiece with all the prophecies and hidden meaning pointing to the same story (one which no one writer truly understood).