Frequently Misinterpreted Verses

This page covers some frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted Bible verses. Sadly, the list is quite extensive. Note that, in particular, verses related to end-times Bible prophecy (i.e., eschatology) are among the most widely abused.

CAUSES OF ERROR

There are four main reasons why verses are misunderstood or misinterpreted:

1. They are taken out of context;
2. There is a failure to consider and harmonize all (“the sum,” Psa 119:160) of what is written in Scripture;
3. Symbolic/figurative language is treated literally (and sometimes vice versa); and
4. More difficult/obscure verses are interpreted in a way that conflicts with other clear, simple, direct verses.

The following techniques are used to support erroneous interpretations (along with the false teachings and fake prophecies that result):

5. Focus on a single verse and build an entire dogmatic theology around it;
6. Ignore verses that one happens to dislike or disagree with (i.e., I don’t think God meant what He said in that verse);
7. Ignore entire books of the Bible that don’t fit one’s personal beliefs; and
8. In extreme cases, rewrite Scripture to match one’s personal theology.

For example, Martin Luther engaged in actions #7 and #8 above. He denied the inspiration of the Book of James—and therefore discarded it entirely—simply because it didn’t fit his own personal theology! Even further, he rewrote Romans 3:28 by adding the word alone to it, which is not in the original Greek manuscripts. Yes, Luther rewrote (added to) Scripture to make it conform to his own beliefs! Astounding! The “saved by faith alone” zealots don’t ever seem to mention this historical fact.

Scripture warns us to “be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock” (Act 20:28), and we have an obligation to “accurately handle” (“rightly divide” [KJV], 2Ti 2:15) God’s Word. By utilizing the techniques listed above, “false teachers” and “false prophets” (i.e., the “wolves”) “trick” and “deceive” the naive, gullible, and dare I say lazy Christian into following their false teachings and fake gospels. → [Beware the Wolves]

LIST OF VERSES

To keep this page manageable, I’ll summarize the most common wrong interpretation(s) and give the correct one. However, I’m not going to provide a complete rebuttal to the false teachings and fake prophecies that result from the errant interpretations. I will add link(s) to additional article(s) that can provide more information, if available.

Verses are listed in order by book of the Bible. I’ll keep adding to this page as time permits. 

• Mat 8:22: “Allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
  • Wrong: This statement is not Jesus expressing disdain or indifference about anyone, nor making light of death. Nor is He saying we should ignore our duties and responsibilities, especially to our families.
  • Right: This verse is about priorities. If I were to paraphrase this verse, it would go something like this: Until you have seen to and ensured your own salvation [by following Jesus], nothing in this world should be more important and urgent to you; seek Christ today, without putting it off, further delay, or making excuses. Moreover, sometimes we are called to “leave everything,” “take up our cross,” and follow Him (Mat 16:24; 19:27–29; Mar 10:28–30; Luk 5:11, 28; 9:23; 18:28–30; cf. Luk 14:33; Php 3:7–8). Lastly, until you are “abiding in Christ and He in you” (paraphrase, Joh 15:1–10), you are, in effect, just a “blind guides of the blind” (Mat 15:14; cf. Luk 6:39; Mat 23:16–26; Rom 2:19), as you are not really able to impart godly wisdom to anyone until you have been born again according to the instructions given in Scripture. The “dead” being referred to are those who are spiritually dead (i.e., the unrepentant sinner who is “dead in their trespasses and sins,” Eph 2:1–5).
• Mar 4:22 (cf. Mat 10:26–27; Luk 8:17): “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.”
  • Wrong: This verse does not apply to the revealing of man’s hidden thoughts, words, and deeds at the end of time on Judgment Day, although such is covered elsewhere in Scripture (cf. Luke 12:2–3).
  • Right: The context here is related to “a lamp being put under a basket” (see Mar 4:21). This verse applies to the Gospel itself, in that it will no longer be hidden from the world (Mat 28:19; Mar 16:15; Luk 24:47–48). Jesus—and NT Scripture—has now fully “revealed” God’s plan of salvation/redemption for humanity, and the “light” of the Gospel will be preached to and spread to “all the nations” (i.e., the entire world; Mat 25:32; Rom 16:26; Rev 15:4).