VersePhraseExplanation
Mat 3:16coming down like a dovePossible meanings are 1) this is simply a statement that the Spirit was in the form of a dove or 2) this is a simile that compares the Spirit coming down upon Jesus gently, the way a dove would.
Mat 7:24like a wise man who built his house upon a rockJesus compares those who obey his words to a person who builds his house where nothing can harm it.
Mat 7:26like a foolish man who built his house upon the sandJesus continues the simile from the previous verse. He compares those who do not obey his words to foolish house-builders. Only a fool would build a house on a sandy place where rain, floods, and wind can sweep the sand away.
Mat 9:36They were like sheep without a shepherdThis simile means they did not have a leader to take care of them. Alternate Translation: "The people did not have a leader"
Mat 10:16as sheep in the midst of wolvesSheep are defenseless animals that wolves often attack. Jesus is stating that people may harm the disciples. Alternate Translation: "as sheep among people who are like dangerous wolves" or "as sheep among people who act the way dangerous animals act"
Mat 10:16be as wise as serpents and harmless as dovesJesus is telling the disciples they must be cautious and harmless among the people. If comparing the disciples to serpents or doves is confusing, it might be better not to state the similes. Alternate Translation: "act with understanding and caution, as well as with innocence and virtue"
Mat 13:24The kingdom of heaven is like a manThe translation should not equate the kingdom of heaven to a man, but rather the kingdom of heaven is like the situation described in the parable.
Mat 13:33The kingdom of heaven is like yeastThe kingdom is not like the yeast, but the spread of the kingdom is like the spreading of the yeast.
Mat 13:43shine like the sunIf this simile is not understandable in your language, you can use: "be as easy to see as the sun."
Mat 13:44General Information:In these two parables, Jesus uses two similes to teach his disciples what the kingdom of heaven is like.
Mat 13:45like a man who is a merchant looking for valuable pearlsThe implied information is that the man was looking for valuable pearls that he could buy.
Mat 13:47the kingdom of heaven is like a netThe kingdom is not like the net, but the kingdom draws all kinds of people like a net catches all kinds of fish.
Mat 17:2His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as brilliant as the lightThese are similes that emphasize how bright Jesus' appearance became.
Mat 17:20if you have faith even as small as a grain of mustard seedJesus compares the size of a mustard seed to the amount of faith needed to do a miracle. A mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a large plant. Jesus means it only takes a small amount of faith to do a great miracle.
Mat 18:3become like little childrenJesus uses a simile to teach the disciples that they should not be concerned with who is most important. They should be concerned with becoming humble like a child.
Mat 18:4Connecting Statement:Jesus continues teaching the disciples that they need to be humble like a child if they want to be important in God's kingdom.
Mat 19:14belongs to such onesbelongs to those who are like children. This is a simile that means those who are humble like children will enter God's kingdom.
Mat 23:27you are like whitewashed tombs ... uncleanThis is a simile that means the scribes and Pharisees may appear to be pure on the outside, but they are wicked on the inside.
Mat 23:37just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wingsThis is a simile that emphasizes Jesus' love for the people and how he wanted to take care of them.
Mat 24:27as the lightning shines ... so will be the comingThis means that the Son of Man will come very quickly and will be easy to see.
Mat 25:32as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goatsJesus uses a simile to describe how he will separate the people.
Mat 28:3was like lightningThis is a simile that emphasizes how bright in appearance the angel was. Alternate Translation: "was bright like lightning"
Mat 28:3his clothing as white as snowThis is a simile that emphasizes how bright and white the angel's clothes were. The verb "was" from the previous phrase can be repeated. Alternate Translation: "his clothing was very white, like snow"
Mat 28:4became like dead menThis is a simile that means the soldiers fell down and did not move. Alternate Translation: "fell to the ground and lay there like dead men"
Mrk 1:10the Spirit coming down on him like a dovePossible meanings are 1) this is a simile, and the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a bird descends from the sky toward the ground or 2) the Spirit literally looked like a dove as he descended upon Jesus.
Mrk 4:26like a man who sows his seedJesus likens the kingdom of God to a farmer who sows his seed. Alternate Translation: "like a farmer who sows his seed"
Mrk 6:34they were like sheep without a shepherdJesus compares the people to sheep who are confused when they do not have their shepherd to lead them.
Mrk 8:24I see men who look like walking treesThe man sees men walking around, yet they are not clear to him, so he compares them to trees. Alternate Translation: "Yes, I see people! They are walking around, but I cannot see them clearly. They look like trees"
Mrk 9:26The boy looked like one who was deadThe boy's appearance is compared to that of a dead person. Alternate Translation: "The boy appeared dead" or "The boy looked like a dead person"
Mrk 10:15as a little childJesus is comparing how people must receive the kingdom of God to how little children would receive it. Alternate Translation: "in the same manner as a child would"
Mrk 12:31love your neighbor as yourselfJesus uses this simile to compare how people are to love each other with the same love as they love themselves. Alternate Translation: "love your neighbor as much as you love yourself"
Mrk 12:33to love one's neighbor as oneselfThis simile compares how people are to love each other with the same love that they love themselves. Alternate Translation: "to love your neighbor as much as you love yourself"
Luk 6:46General Information:Jesus compares the person who obeys his teaching to a man who builds a house on rock where it will be safe from floods.
Luk 6:49General Information:Jesus compares the person who hears but does not obey his teaching to a man who builds a house that has no foundation and so will collapse when the flood comes.
Luk 7:32They are likeThese words are the beginning of Jesus' comparison. Jesus is saying that the people are like children who are never satisfied with the way other children act.
Luk 10:3I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolvesWolves attack and kill sheep. This metaphor therefore means that there are people who would attempt to harm the disciples that Jesus is sending out. The names of other animals could be substituted. Alternate Translation: "when I send you out, people will want to harm you, as wolves attack sheep"
Luk 10:16The one who listens to you listens to meThe comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate Translation: "When someone listens to you, it is as if they were listening to me"
Luk 10:16the one who rejects you rejects meThe comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate Translation: "when someone rejects you, it is as if they were rejecting me"
Luk 10:16the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent meThe comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate Translation: "when someone rejects me, it is as if they were rejecting the one who sent me"
Luk 10:18I was watching Satan fall from heaven as lightningJesus used a simile to compare how God was defeating Satan when his 70 disciples were preaching in the towns to the way lightning strikes.
Luk 10:27your neighbor as yourselfThis simile can be stated more clearly. Alternate Translation: "love your neighbor as much as you love yourself"
Luk 11:36then your whole body will be like when a lamp shines its brightness on youJesus states the same truth as a simile. He speaks of people who are full of truth as if they are a lamp that shines brightly.
Luk 11:44you are like unmarked graves that people walk over without knowing itThe Pharisees are like unmarked graves because they look ceremonially clean, but they cause people around them to become unclean.
Luk 12:36be like people looking for their masterJesus commands the disciples to be ready for him to return the same way servants should be ready for their master to return.
Luk 13:19It is like a mustard seedJesus compares the kingdom to a mustard seed. Alternate Translation: "The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed"
Luk 13:21It is like yeastJesus compares the kingdom of God to yeast in bread dough. Alternate Translation: "The kingdom of God is like yeast"
Luk 17:6If you had faith like a mustard seed, youA mustard seed is a very small seed. Jesus implies that they do not have even a small amount of faith. Alternate Translation: "If you had faith that was even as small as a mustard seed, you" or "Your faith is not as big as a mustard seed—but if it were, you"
Luk 17:24for as the lightning shines brightlyThe coming of the Son of Man will be clear and sudden, like the appearance of lightning. Alternate Translation: "for as the lightning is visible to everyone when it appears and" or "for as the lightning appears suddenly"
Luk 18:16belongs to such onesThis could be stated as a simile. Alternate Translation: "belongs to people who are like these little children"
Luk 18:17whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter itGod requires people to accept his rule over them with trust and humility. Alternate Translation: "whoever wants to enter God's kingdom must receive it with trust and humility like a child"
Luk 21:34then that day will close on you suddenly like a trapJust as a trap closes on an animal when the animal does not expect it, that day will happen when people do not expect it. Alternate Translation: "that day will happen when you are not expecting it, as when a trap closes suddenly on an animal"
Jhn 1:32like a doveThis phrase is a simile. The "Spirit" comes down just like a dove lands on a person.
Jhn 3:14Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted upThis figure of speech is called a simile. Some people will "lift up" Jesus just as Moses "lifted up" the bronze serpent in the wilderness.
Act 2:3There appeared to them tongues like fireThese might not be actual tongues or fire, but something that looked like them. Possible meanings are 1) tongues that looked like they were made of fire or 2) small flames of fire that looked like tongues. When fire burns in a small space, such as on a lamp, the flame can be shaped like a tongue.
Act 6:15was like the face of an angelThis phrase compares his face to that of an angel but does not say specifically what they have in common.
Rom 6:4just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in newness of lifeTo raise from the dead is an idiom for causing a person to live again. This compares a believer's new spiritual life to Jesus coming back to life physically. The believer's new spiritual life enables that person to obey God. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate Translation: "just as the Father brought Jesus back to life after he died, we might have new spiritual life and obey God"
Rom 8:36We were considered as sheep for the slaughterHere Paul compares to livestock those whom people kill because they are loyal to God. You can translate this in an active form. Alternate Translation: "Our lives have no more value to them than the sheep they kill"
Rom 9:27as the sand of the seaHere Paul compares the number of the people of Israel to the number of grains of sand in the sea. Alternate Translation: "too many to count"
Eph 5:1as dearly loved childrenGod desires us to imitate or follow him since we are his children. Alternate Translation: "as dearly loved children imitate their fathers" or "because you are his children and he loves you dearly"
Php 2:22as a child serves his father, so he served with mePaul speaks of Timothy, who served Christ with Paul, as if he were a child serving his father. Paul is emphasizing the close father-son relationship he has with Timothy in serving Christ.
1Th 2:7as a mother comforting her own childrenJust as a mother gently comforts her children, so Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy spoke gently to the Thessalonian believers.
1Th 5:2like a thief in the nightJust as one does not know which night a thief may come, we do not know when the day of the Lord will come. Alternate Translation: "unexpectedly"
1Th 5:3like birth pains in a pregnant womanJust as a pregnant woman's birth pains come suddenly and do not stop until the birth is complete, the destruction will come, and people will not escape.
1Th 5:4so that the day would overtake you like a thiefThe day when the Lord comes should not be a surprise to believers.
1Ti 5:1as if he were a father ... as if they were brothers ... as mothers ... as sistersPaul uses these similes to tell Timothy that he should treat fellow believers with sincere love and respect.
1Ti 5:2as if he were a father ... as if they were brothers ... as mothers ... as sistersPaul uses these similes to tell Timothy that he should treat fellow believers with sincere love and respect.
2Ti 2:3as a good soldier of Christ JesusPaul compares suffering for Christ Jesus to the suffering that a good soldier endures.
2Ti 2:17Their talk will spread like cancerCancer quickly spreads in a person's body and destroys it. This is a metaphor that means what those people were saying would spread from person to person and harm the faith of those who heard it. Alternate Translation: "What they say will spread like an infectious disease" or "Their talk will spread quickly and cause destruction like cancer"
Heb 1:11wear out like a piece of clothingThe author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were a piece of clothing that will get old and eventually become useless.
Heb 1:12roll them up like a cloakThe author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were a robe or another kind of outer garment.
Heb 1:12they will be changed like a piece of clothingThe author speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were clothing that could be exchanged for other clothing.
Heb 11:12descendants as many as the stars in the sky and as countless as sand by the seashoreThis simile means Abraham had very many descendants.
Heb 11:27he endured as if he were seeing the one who is invisibleMoses is spoken of as if he saw God, who is invisible.
Heb 12:7God deals with you as with sonsThis compares God disciplining his people to a father disciplining his sons. You can state clearly the understood information. Alternate Translation: "God deals with you the same way a father deals with his sons"
Jas 1:6For anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed aroundAnyone who doubts that God will help him is said to be like the water in the ocean or in a large lake, which keeps moving in different directions.
Jas 1:10he will pass away as a wild flower in the grassRich people are spoken of as being similar to wild flowers, which are alive for only a short time.
Jas 1:11the rich man will fade away in the middle of his journeyHere the flower simile is probably continued. As flowers do not die suddenly but instead fade away over a short time, so also the rich people may not die suddenly but instead take a little time to disappear.
Jas 1:17With him there is no changing or shadow because of turningThis expression pictures God as an unchanging light, like the sun, moon, planets, and stars in the sky. This is in contrast to shadows here on earth that constantly change. Alternate Translation: "God does not change. He is as as constant as the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, rather than like shadows which appear and disappear on earth"
Jas 1:18so that we would be a kind of firstfruitsJames is using the traditional Hebrew idea of firstfruits as a way to describe the value of the Christian believers to God. He implies that there will be many more believers in the future. Alternate Translation: "so that we would be like an offering of firstfruits"
Jas 1:23he is like a man who examines his natural face in a mirrorA person who hears God's word is like someone who looks in the mirror.
Jas 1:25the person who looks carefully into the perfect lawThis expression continues the image of the law as a mirror.
Jas 5:3will consume ... like fireHere the corrosion is spoken of as if it were a fire that will burn up their owners.
1Pe 1:19like a lamb without blemish or spotJesus died as a sacrifice so that God would forgive people's sins. Alternate Translation: "like the lambs without blemish or spot that the Jewish priests sacrificed"
1Pe 1:24glory is like the wild flower of the grassHere the word "glory" refers to beauty or goodness. Isaiah compares the things that people consider to be good or beautiful about humanity to flowers that die quickly. Alternate Translation: "goodness soon stops, just as flowers soon die"
1Pe 2:5You also are like living stonesPeter compares his readers to stones that are alive.
1Pe 2:25you had been wandering away like lost sheepPeter speaks about his readers before they believed in Christ as if they had been similar to lost sheep wandering around aimlessly.
1Pe 5:8the devil, is stalking around like a roaring lion ... looking for someone to devourPeter compares the devil to a roaring lion. Just as a hungry lion completely devours its prey, the devil is seeking to completely destroy the faith of believers.
2Pe 1:19as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawnsPeter compares the prophetic word to a lamp that gives light in the dark until light comes in the morning. The coming of morning is a reference to Christ's coming.
Rev 1:10loud voice like a trumpetThe voice was so loud it sounded like a trumpet.
Rev 1:14His head and hair were as white as wool—as white as snowWool and snow are examples of things that are very white. The repetition of "as white as" emphasizes that they were very white.
Rev 1:14his eyes were like a flame of fireHis eyes are described as being full of light like a flame of fire. Alternate Translation: "his eyes were glowing like a flame of fire"
Rev 1:15His feet were like polished bronzeBronze is polished to make it shine and reflect light. Alternate Translation: "His feet were very shiny like polished bronze"
Rev 1:17fell at his feet like a dead manJohn lay down facing the ground. He was probably very frightened and was showing Jesus great respect.
Rev 2:18who has eyes like a flame of fireHis eyes are describes as being full of light like a flame of fire. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:14](../01/14.md). Alternate Translation: "whose eyes glow like a flame of fire"
Rev 2:18feet like polished bronzeBronze is polished to make it shine and reflect light. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:15](../01/15.md). Alternate Translation: "whose feet are very shiny like polished bronze"
Rev 2:27like clay jars he will break them into piecesBreaking them to pieces is an image that represents either 1) destroying evildoers or 2) defeating enemies. Alternate Translation: "He will defeat his enemies completely as if breaking clay jars into pieces"
Rev 3:3I will come as a thiefJesus will come at a time when people do not expect him, just as a thief comes when not expected.
Rev 4:1speaking to me like a trumpetHow the voice was like a trumpet can be stated clearly. Alternate Translation: "speaking to me loudly like the sound of a trumpet"
Rev 4:6like crystalHow it was like crystal can be stated clearly. Alternate Translation: "clear as crystal"
Rev 4:7The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagleHow the head of each living creature appeared to John is expressed as a comparison with something more familiar.
Rev 6:12as black as sackclothSometimes sackcloth was made of black hair. People would wear sackcloth when they were mourning. The image of sackcloth is meant to lead people to think of death and mourning. Alternate Translation: "as black as mourning clothes"
Rev 6:12like bloodThe image of blood is meant to lead people to think of death. How it was like blood can be stated clearly. Alternate Translation: "red like blood"
Rev 6:14The sky vanished like a scroll that was being rolled upThe sky was normally thought of as being strong like a sheet of metal, but now it was weak like a sheet of paper and easily torn and rolled up.
Rev 8:8became bloodPossible meanings are it 1) "became red like blood" or it 2) really became blood.
Rev 8:10a huge star fell from the sky, blazing like a torcha huge star that was blazing like a torch fell from the sky. The fire of the huge star looked similar to the fire of a torch.
Rev 9:2like smoke from a huge furnaceA huge furnace gives off a great amount of thick, dark smoke. Alternate Translation: "like the great amount of smoke that comes from a huge furnace"
Rev 9:10with stingers like scorpionsA scorpion is a small insect with a poisonous stinger at the end of its long tail. The sting can cause severe pain or even death. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Revelation 9:6](./06.md). Alternate Translation: "with stingers like scorpion stingers" or "with stingers that could cause terrible pain as scorpion stingers can"
Rev 10:1His face was like the sunJohn compares the brightness of his face with the brightness of the sun. Alternate Translation: "His face was bright like the sun"
Rev 12:15like a riverThe water flowed from his mouth like a river flows. Alternate Translation: "in large volume"
Rev 13:11it spoke like a dragonHarsh speech is spoken of as if it were the roar of a dragon. Alternate Translation: "it spoke harshly like a dragon speaks"
Rev 14:14one like a son of manThis expression describes a human figure, someone who looks human. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:13](../01/13.md).
Rev 16:15I am coming as a thiefJesus will come at a time when people do not expect him, just as a thief comes when not expected. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Revelation 3:3](../03/03.md).
Rev 18:7I am seated as a queenShe claims to be a ruler, having her own authority.
Rev 19:6Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a great number of people, like the roar of many waters, and like loud crashes of thunderJohn speaks of what he is hearing as if it were like the sound made by a very large crowd of people, a large body of rushing water, and very loud thunder.
Rev 19:12His eyes are like a fiery flameJohn speaks of the rider's eyes as if they shone like a flame of fire.
Rev 20:8They will be as many as the sand of the seaThis emphasizes the extremely large number of soldiers in Satan's army.
Rev 21:2like a bride adorned for her husbandThis compares the new Jerusalem to a bride who has made herself beautiful for her bridegroom.
Rev 21:18pure gold, like clear glassThe gold was so clear that it is spoken of as if it were glass.
Rev 21:21pure gold, like transparent glassThe gold was so clear that it is spoken of as if it was glass. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Revelation 21:18](./18.md).