There are plenty of quotes that people think Jesus said but don’t actually come from the Bible. Let’s set the record straight by looking at 25 things of them. It’s time to start busting some myths.
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
“Spare the rod, spoil the child” sounds like something from Proverbs, right? Wrong. This phrase actually comes from a poem called “Hudibras” by Samuel Butler. Although the Bible does talk about discipline and the rod, this exact phrase about spoiling the child actually isn’t in there, and it’s more of an old-school parenting tip.
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
You might’ve heard people say, “God helps those who help themselves” to encourage someone else to get moving. But guess what? It’s actually not from the Bible, as it actually comes from Algernon Sidney. Benjamin Franklin helped to make it popular in “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” and the Bible actually talks about relying on both our own strength and God’s.
Money Is the Root of All Evil
The full quote from the Bible in 1 Timothy 6:10 is “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” but many people shorten it to “money is the root of all evil.” Do you see the difference? The Bible isn’t saying that cash itself is the problem, but when people have too much love for it, so don’t feel bad about having some.
Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner
No, Jesus didn’t say, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” It was actually St. Augustine who came up with the phrase, “love the sinner and hate the sin.” Later, Gandhi put his own spin on it, which gave us this quote today. The Bible does talk about loving others and not judging, but this specific phrase isn’t in it.
To Thine Own Self Be True
“To thine own self be true” sounds like it could be in the Bible, but it’s actually from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” It comes from a scene where Polonius is talking to his son, Laertes, and it’s pretty solid advice, even if it’s not from the Good Book. We should all be true to ourselves.
This, Too, Shall Pass
It’s good advice during those tough times, but you won’t find “This too shall pass” in the Bible. It probably came from a Persian fable and became popular in the West during the 19th century. Even when things seem hard, remembering things will get better can give us the strength to keep going.
Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness” sounds like it comes from Leviticus. In fact, John Wesley created it during a sermon in 1778, although the Bible does have a lot of rules about cleanliness. Wesley was trying to make his followers have good habits and used this phrase to encourage them to behave well.
God Works in Mysterious Ways
Although “God works in mysterious ways” sounds biblical, you won’t find these exact words in the Bible. They actually come from a hymn with the same title, written by William Cowper in 1774. But it’s still pretty good advice, and it’s helped a lot of people by reminding them there’s a large plan, even when life doesn’t make sense.
The Lion Shall Lay Down With the Lamb
People often use “the lion shall lay down with the lamb” when they talk about living a life of peace, and yes, the idea is in the Bible. But the actual quote in Isaiah 11:16 is, “The wolf will live with the lamb.” The lion does show up later in the text, but it’s actually living with the calf, not the lamb.
You Reap What You Saw
Similarly, “you reap what you sow” is in Galatians 6:7 of the Bible, but it’s Paul who said it, not Jesus. It ties into the idea of karma and that whatever you put out into the world will come back to you. Honestly, this is another quote that’s some good advice, even if Jesus didn’t say it, because it’s a reminder that our actions have consequences.
Charity Begins at Home
“Charity begins at home” is meant to encourage us to look after ourselves before we try to help others. It sounds like it could be in Proverbs, but it actually came from Sir Thomas Browne, although the idea is similar to those in the Bible. The Good Book does talk about loving and caring for our family, but this phrase is more practical than spiritual advice.
Seven Deadly Sins
There’s no mention in the Bible or of Jesus saying anything about the “seven deadly sins,” as it was the Catholic Church that created this idea. Yes, the ideas are in there, but the exact phrase isn’t. The Church created it as a guide for followers to understand how to live better and more morally right.
Pray, and You Shall Receive
Some people might tell you that Jesus said, “Pray and you shall receive,” like it’s a magic formula. But what he actually said in Matthew 21:22 was a bit more specific, as he said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Prayer alone isn’t going to get you what you want, you need to have faith, too.
All Things Are Possible With Prayer
“All things are possible with prayer” also sounds like it could be one of Jesus’s feel-good sermons, but it’s not a direct quote from him. In Mark 9:23, he actually said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Like the other quote, the important part is believing in prayer, not just praying itself.
The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
“The family that prays together, stays together” is some pretty good advice for any Christians out there. But it didn’t come from Jesus, as it was Father Patrick Peyton who came up with it in the 1940s. Even so, we’re pretty sure it’s something God could get behind since the Bible talks a lot about the importance of prayer.
Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” sounds like it comes from a soap opera, but many people think it was Jesus who said it. In reality, it’s from William Congreve’s play, “The Mourning Bride,” and Jesus never got into these dramatics. It’s meant to show how women apparently have some extreme emotions, which we can all agree is a bit of an outdated point of view.
Confession Is Good For the Soul
Although confession and its benefits are mentioned quite a bit in the Bible, Jesus never actually said, “Confession is good for the soul.” It’s an old Scottish proverb that’s become a modern saying, and it’s meant to show the advantages of spilling the beans. But it’s not something you’ll find in the Bible.
Charity Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Charity covers a multitude of sins” is a nice thought, and lots of people connect it with Jesus’s messages about love and forgiveness. It’s meant to encourage people to be charitable to balance out their wrongs, although it was the Apostle Peter who said it in 1 Peter 4:8, not Jesus. Even so, science shows that doing charity is good for us.
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Looking for some self-help? Then the quote, “Wherever you go, there you are,” might help, although it’s not Jesus who said it. Yes, his teachings were about being present and aware, but he didn’t say this phrase. He promoted the idea of being mindful of what you’re doing and thinking.
When God Closes a Door, He Opens a Window
“When God closes a door, he opens a window” is a comforting idea, especially when you’re a little bit stuck. But this is a modern saying that’s not from Jesus, and it’s something that people use to give themselves hope when things don’t go as they want. It’s a way to feel better about things when you’ve lost an opportunity.
Preach the Gospel At All Times. Use Words If Necessary
Lots of people think that Jesus said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary,” and some people even think it was St. Francis of Assisi. Yet there’s no evidence of either Jesus or St. Francis saying it, and it seems to be a modern saying. It’s meant to teach people to live out their beliefs and not just think about them.
To Err is Human, To Forgive, Divine
“To err is human, to forgive divine” is some solid advice that we can all follow, even though it’s not from Jesus. Alexander Pope created this saying in a poem, which is similar to some of the ideas that Jesus talked about in the Bible. After all, Jesus did say that forgiveness is important and that making mistakes is part of being human.
Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight
Although you might think it’s from the Bible, “Fall seven times, stand up eight” is a Japanese proverb. Yes, Jesus was a big believer in keeping your faith during those difficult moments, but he never actually gave us this line. But we think it’s advice that everyone should follow, especially during those hard moments.
God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle
“God won’t give you more than you can handle” is something Jesus didn’t say, and it’s also something that’s not in the Bible. The closest thing is from Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13, where he talks about God not letting us be tempted beyond our ability to resist. It’s meant to comfort us and remind us that we can take whatever life throws at us.
Give a Man a Fish
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Pretty wise words, right? But this is actually an old Chinese proverb, and it’s not something Jesus ever said. He did teach us about supporting and helping others, but he never said this line about fishing.
