What Does the Bible Say About Allegory?

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Galatians 4:21-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. ...

Galatians 4:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. ...

Luke 15:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Revelation 22:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. ...

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ...

1 Peter 3:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

James 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Hebrews 9:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? ...

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Timothy 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Colossians 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 4:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Galatians 4:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Galatians 4:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ...

Galatians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ...

2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Romans 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 7:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) ...

John 16:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.

John 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Luke 14:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ...

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. ...

Matthew 13:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

Matthew 13:1-58 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ...

Matthew 10:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“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.

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...

Matthew 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ...

Hosea 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest. There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: ...

42 Bible Verses about Allegory

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:21-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 22:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 9:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 14:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:1-51 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 13:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 13:1-58 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hosea 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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