Our Lord used words either literally or figuratively. The issue surrounding
verses 35-71 is how to determine what meaning He intended to give.
Our Lord Himself gives us two basic rules to resolve this dilemma.
Rule number one: When Our Lord spoke figuratively but was taken
literally, He always corrected the mistake of His listeners immediately.
Example (a):
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and
Sadducees” (St. Matt. 16:5).
The Apostles took these words literally and began to argue among
themselves about the fact that they had no bread. Then Our Lord said,
“How is it that you fail to perceive that I did not speak about bread…Then
they understood that he did not tell them to be aware of the leaven of bread,
but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (vv. 11-12).
Example (b): “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him
out of sleep” (St. John 11:11).
The Apostles again took Our Lord literally and said, “Lord, if he has fallen
asleep, he will recover” (v. 12). Immediately came the correction, “Lazarus
is dead” (v. 14).
Example (c):
“…unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of
God” (St. John 3:3).
Nicodemus automatically took these words literally and replied, “How can
a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s
womb and be born?” (3:4). Our Lord’s answer immediately dispelled
Nicodemus’ error, showing that He meant a spiritual, not physical, rebirth:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he
cannot enter the kingdom of God” (3:5).
Rule number two: When Our Lord spoke literally, and those who
heard Him understood Him correctly but refused to accept what He
said, He reasserted the literal meaning again more forcibly.
Example (a): “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven” (St. Matt. 9:2).
 |
 |
 |