Many idioms in English come from stories in the Bible. Some of these idioms are linked to Jesus and the things he said or did. These sayings are still used today, even by people who may not know where they came from. They help us describe actions, feelings, or situations in a clear way.
In this article, we will look at idioms that come from the life and teachings of Jesus. You’ll learn what they mean and how to use them in real life. These phrases can help you understand stories, songs, or conversations better. Let’s explore how these old sayings still matter today.
Idioms for Jesus
1. Carry your cross
Meaning: Accept a hard task or challenge without complaining.
Sample Sentences: Jesus carried His cross. We can carry ours when we do the right thing even when it’s hard. / I carried my cross by helping my sick friend.
Other Way to Say: Face your challenge / Do what’s right even when it’s hard
2. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: Don’t fight back when someone is mean.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to turn the other cheek. So I didn’t yell back. / When he called me names, I turned the other cheek.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Don’t hit back
3. Fishers of men
Meaning: Tell others about Jesus and help them believe.
Sample Sentences: Jesus called His helpers fishers of men. / I try to be a fisher of men by being kind and honest.
Other Way to Say: Share your faith / Help others follow Jesus
4. Love your neighbor
Meaning: Be kind to others, not just your friends.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to love your neighbor. I helped the new kid at school. / I love my neighbor by sharing with others.
Other Way to Say: Be kind to everyone / Care about others
5. The Good Samaritan
Meaning: Help others even if they’re strangers.
Sample Sentences: Like the Good Samaritan, I helped when she fell. / We can be like the Good Samaritan every day.
Other Way to Say: Help someone in need / Be caring
6. Walk by faith
Meaning: Trust God even when you can’t see what will happen.
Sample Sentences: I walk by faith when I pray. / Even when scared, she walked by faith.
Other Way to Say: Trust in God / Believe without seeing
7. Lost sheep
Meaning: Someone who needs help finding the right way.
Sample Sentences: Jesus found the lost sheep. / My cousin was like a lost sheep, but we helped him.
Other Way to Say: Someone needing help / One who feels left out
8. Salt of the earth
Meaning: A good and honest person.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said we are the salt of the earth. / She is kind and fair – salt of the earth.
Other Way to Say: A good person / Someone helpful
9. Let your light shine
Meaning: Show good behavior so others can see it.
Sample Sentences: I let my light shine by being honest. / He let his light shine when he helped the teacher.
Other Way to Say: Do good things / Be an example
10. Build your house on the rock
Meaning: Make good choices that last.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to build your house on the rock, not sand. / Studying and praying is like building on a rock.
Other Way to Say: Make strong choices / Have good habits
11. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than what is asked.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to go the extra mile. I helped clean up even when it wasn’t my mess. / She went the extra mile and shared her lunch.
Other Way to Say: Do more / Be extra helpful
12. Clean hands and a pure heart
Meaning: Be honest and kind in what you do and think.
Sample Sentences: He tried to have clean hands and a pure heart by always telling the truth. / I want to have a pure heart like Jesus said.
Other Way to Say: Be honest / Think kindly
13. Do unto others
Meaning: Treat others how you want to be treated.
Sample Sentences: I do unto others by sharing because I like when others share with me. / Jesus said to treat others like we want to be treated.
Other Way to Say: Be fair / Treat people nicely
14. The last shall be first
Meaning: God cares about the humble.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said the last shall be first. That means helping others is great. / Even when I didn’t win, I felt proud to help.
Other Way to Say: Being kind is better than winning / Humble people matter
15. A mustard seed of faith
Meaning: Even a little faith is strong.
Sample Sentences: I had a mustard seed of faith and didn’t give up. / Jesus said small faith can move big things.
Other Way to Say: Small trust in God / A little belief matters
16. Cast the first stone
Meaning: Don’t judge others when you also make mistakes.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to not cast the first stone. / I didn’t tease him because I mess up too.
Other Way to Say: Don’t blame others / We all mess up
17. Turn water into wine
Meaning: Make something better or special.
Sample Sentences: Jesus turned water into wine. / She turned the dull party into fun, like water into wine.
Other Way to Say: Make things better / Bring joy
18. Wash someone’s feet
Meaning: Do a humble act of service.
Sample Sentences: Jesus washed feet to show love. / I helped my brother with his chores to be like Jesus.
Other Way to Say: Help kindly / Serve with love
19. A house divided
Meaning: A group that fights can’t stay strong.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said a house divided can’t stand. / If we argue all day, our team won’t win.
Other Way to Say: Stay together / Don’t fight inside your group
20. Love one another
Meaning: Be caring and kind to everyone.
Sample Sentences: Jesus told us to love one another. / I showed love by helping my sister with homework.
Other Way to Say: Be caring / Show kindness
21. Bread of life
Meaning: Jesus gives us what we need for our soul.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said He is the bread of life. / I pray because Jesus feeds my heart.
Other Way to Say: Life’s helper / Heart food
22. Lamb of God
Meaning: Jesus gave His life for us.
Sample Sentences: We call Jesus the Lamb of God. / The Lamb of God brings peace and love.
Other Way to Say: God’s sacrifice / Loving helper
23. Cast your net
Meaning: Try to reach more people with good news.
Sample Sentences: The disciples cast their nets. / We cast our net by inviting friends to church.
Other Way to Say: Reach others / Share good things
24. Manger moments
Meaning: Simple times that feel special.
Sample Sentences: Christmas brings manger moments. / Quiet family time feels like a manger moment.
Other Way to Say: Special simple time / Gentle joy
25. Loaves and fishes
Meaning: God can do a lot with a little.
Sample Sentences: Jesus fed many with loaves and fishes. / Even my small gift helped, like loaves and fishes.
Other Way to Say: Small help, big impact / God makes it enough
26. Walking on water
Meaning: Doing something amazing with God’s help.
Sample Sentences: Peter walked on water with Jesus. / I walked on water by speaking in front of class with faith.
Other Way to Say: Do the hard thing / Trust and succeed
27. Deny three times
Meaning: Act like you don’t know someone, like Peter did.
Sample Sentences: Peter denied Jesus three times. / I don’t want to deny my faith, even if others laugh.
Other Way to Say: Hide the truth / Be scared to speak up
28. Peace be still
Meaning: God can calm your worries.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said “peace be still” to the storm. / I felt better when I prayed peace be still.
Other Way to Say: Feel calm / Rest in faith
29. Golden rule
Meaning: Treat others as you want to be treated.
Sample Sentences: The golden rule means I should be nice. / We use the golden rule in our class.
Other Way to Say: Fairness rule / Kindness first
30. Doubting Thomas
Meaning: Someone who needs proof before believing.
Sample Sentences: Thomas didn’t believe until he saw Jesus. / Don’t be a doubting Thomas have some faith.
Other Way to Say: Needs to see to believe / Unsure person
31. On the third day
Meaning: A time when something big changes, like when Jesus rose.
Sample Sentences: Jesus rose on the third day. / Things got better, like a third day surprise.
Other Way to Say: Big turn / A new beginning
32. In the wilderness
Meaning: Feeling lost or confused, like Jesus in the desert.
Sample Sentences: Jesus stayed strong in the wilderness. / I feel like I’m in the wilderness during hard times.
Other Way to Say: A tough time / Feeling unsure
33. A heart of stone
Meaning: A heart that is not kind or caring.
Sample Sentences: Jesus wants us to not have a heart of stone. / I try to be soft-hearted, not like stone.
Other Way to Say: Cold heart / Not caring
34. A heart of flesh
Meaning: A soft and caring heart.
Sample Sentences: God gives us a heart of flesh. / I want to have a heart of flesh and be kind.
Other Way to Say: Soft heart / Gentle and loving
35. Be still and know
Meaning: Trust God and feel calm.
Sample Sentences: I say “be still and know” when I worry. / That verse helps me remember to relax and trust.
Other Way to Say: Trust God / Stay calm inside
36. Light of the world
Meaning: Jesus brings hope and truth.
Sample Sentences: Jesus is the light of the world. / When I feel sad, I think about the light of the world.
Other Way to Say: Bringer of hope / The one who helps us see
37. Living water
Meaning: Jesus gives life to our hearts.
Sample Sentences: He said He gives living water. / I feel refreshed like I drank living water when I pray.
Other Way to Say: Heart water / Life-giving spirit
38. The narrow path
Meaning: Choosing the right way, even when it’s not easy.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to follow the narrow path. / Telling the truth is the narrow path.
Other Way to Say: Right but hard way / Good choice
39. Sheep without a shepherd
Meaning: People who need guidance.
Sample Sentences: Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd. / I felt like a sheep without a shepherd when I was confused.
Other Way to Say: Lost and unsure / Need help
40. A new creation
Meaning: Becoming better after choosing to follow Jesus.
Sample Sentences: With Jesus, I am a new creation. / He changed and became a new creation.
Other Way to Say: A better me / Starting fresh
41. Born again
Meaning: Starting a new life in faith.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said we must be born again. / I felt born again after I believed.
Other Way to Say: Fresh start / New heart
42. The first stone
Meaning: Being quick to judge others.
Sample Sentences: No one should throw the first stone. / I stopped judging and didn’t throw the first stone.
Other Way to Say: Don’t be quick to blame / Hold back judgment
43. The least of these
Meaning: People who are poor or need help.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to help the least of these. / I shared with the least of these at school.
Other Way to Say: People in need / Help others
44. The prodigal son
Meaning: Someone who leaves but comes back and is forgiven.
Sample Sentences: He was like the prodigal son when he returned home. / The story shows how much love and forgiveness matter.
Other Way to Say: A returning one / Someone forgiven
45. The eye of a needle
Meaning: Something very hard to do without God.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said it’s like a camel through the eye of a needle. / It’s hard, like the eye of a needle, but God can help.
Other Way to Say: Very hard / Nearly impossible
46. Born in a manger
Meaning: Coming from a humble place.
Sample Sentences: Jesus was born in a manger. / Great things can come from simple places, like being born in a manger.
Other Way to Say: A simple start / Humble beginning
47. The cross you bear
Meaning: A hard thing you have to live with.
Sample Sentences: My illness is the cross I bear. / Jesus carried a cross, and we carry our own.
Other Way to Say: Your hard challenge / What you must carry
48. Washing your hands of it
Meaning: Deciding to not be part of something anymore.
Sample Sentences: Pilate washed his hands of it. / I washed my hands of the argument.
Other Way to Say: Stepping away / Done with it
49. Doubting like Thomas
Meaning: Not believing right away.
Sample Sentences: He was doubting like Thomas. / I don’t want to doubt like Thomas.
Other Way to Say: Unsure / Needs proof
50. Rise again
Meaning: Get back up after something bad.
Sample Sentences: Jesus rose again. / I rise again after hard times.
Other Way to Say: Come back strong / Try again
51. Faith that moves mountains
Meaning: Believing so strongly that anything is possible.
Sample Sentences: With faith, we can move mountains. / She prayed with mountain-moving faith.
Other Way to Say: Big faith / Strong belief
52. Let the children come
Meaning: Kids are important to God.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said let the children come. / We felt welcome at church let the children come.
Other Way to Say: Kids matter / Everyone belongs
53. Bread and wine
Meaning: A symbol of Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
Sample Sentences: At church, we had bread and wine to remember Jesus. / Bread and wine help us think of His love.
Other Way to Say: Communion / A holy meal
54. Rock of ages
Meaning: Jesus is strong and never changes.
Sample Sentences: I trust the Rock of Ages when life is hard. / Jesus is my Rock of Ages.
Other Way to Say: Strong forever / Never-changing help
55. Be a servant
Meaning: Help others like Jesus did.
Sample Sentences: Jesus said to be a servant to others. / I help clean up because I want to be a servant.
Other Way to Say: Be helpful / Act with love
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms for Jesus
1. What does “turn the other cheek” mean?
A. Hit back when someone is mean
B. Walk away instead of fighting
C. Tell a teacher right away
2. If someone says “walk on water,” what do they mean?
A. Do something amazing
B. Go swimming
C. Jump in puddles
3. What does it mean if someone is a “doubting Thomas”?
A. They always agree
B. They believe without proof
C. They need proof to believe
4. What does “carry your cross” mean in real life?
A. Complain all day
B. Keep going through a hard time
C. Throw away your backpack
5. What does it mean to be a “good Samaritan”?
A. Help someone in need
B. Tell on someone
C. Drive a big car
6. What does “cast the first stone” mean?
A. Throw a rock at a lake
B. Start blaming someone
C. Skip a rock for fun
7. When someone “washes their hands of it,” what are they doing?
A. Cleaning up
B. Saying they’re not involved anymore
C. Going to lunch
8. If someone is called the “salt of the earth,” what does that mean?
A. They like salty snacks
B. They live near the beach
C. They’re a good and honest person
9. What does “love thy neighbor” mean?
A. Only be nice to family
B. Be kind to people around you
C. Move to a new town
10. If a person “goes the extra mile,” what are they doing?
A. Running a race
B. Doing more than expected
C. Driving too far
11. What does “judge not” mean?
A. Don’t tell the truth
B. Don’t make fun of others
C. Don’t talk in class
12. What does it mean if “faith can move mountains”?
A. You can push a mountain
B. You can do great things by believing
C. You like climbing
Answer Key
- B. Walk away instead of fighting
- A. Do something amazing
- C. They need proof to believe
- B. Keep going through a hard time
- A. Help someone in need
- B. Start blaming someone
- B. Saying they’re not involved anymore
- C. They’re a good and honest person
- B. Be kind to people around you
- B. Doing more than expected
- B. Don’t make fun of others
- B. You can do great things by believing
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You understand these idioms very well. Great work! - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
You’re learning fast. Keep it up! - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Try reviewing the idioms again. You’re on the right track. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
That’s okay! Now you can go back and learn even more.
Conclusion
Many idioms about Jesus come from stories and lessons that have been passed down for a long time. These sayings help us understand ideas like kindness, faith, and forgiveness in a simple way.
By learning these idioms, you can understand books, movies, and conversations better. They also help remind us how to treat others with care, even when things are tough.
