It’s easy for sayings to become associated with well-known figures, and Jesus is no exception. Many quotes that are commonly attributed to Him aren’t actually found in His teachings.
Here are 18 popular sayings that people think Jesus said, but He never actually did. Let’s clear up these common misconceptions and find out what was really said.
Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
You might have heard this phrase a lot and, just like most people, thought it was a teaching from Jesus. However, it wasn’t Him but John Wesley, an English cleric, who first quoted this saying. It may not be from Jesus, but the idea of cleanliness being important is rooted in the Bible, specifically in the worship practices described in Leviticus.
To Thine Own Self Be True
This is a good motto to live by and a lot of people think that Jesus said this in one of His teachings. The truth is, He did not. This is a famous line in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Although Shakespeare is not Christian, he wrote this poem during a time when culture was greatly influenced by Christian values. This might be the reason why people thought he quoted this line from the Bible.
Hate The Sin, Love the Sinner
While it may sound like something Jesus would say in one of His teachings, it was actually St. Augustine of Hippo who first used the phrase in his letter. The exact phrase reads, “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum,” or in English, “With love for mankind and hatred of sins.” This was later paraphrased by Mohandas Gandhi, and in his autobiography, he quoted, “Hate the sin and not the sinner.”
What Goes Around Comes Around
In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus did say, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” The similarity of its context with the saying, “What goes around comes around” might be the reason why people think the latter is a biblical concept. This phrase is actually from the 1962 book “Burn, Killer, Burn!” and does not hold any biblical relevance.
Everything Happens for A Reason
When people of faith try to make sense of some difficulties that they have experienced, they would usually say this phrase. It is rooted in the firm belief that everything that is happening is according to God’s grand plan. While this phrase can bring a little bit of comfort, Jesus never said it.
Money Is the Root of All Evil
This might be the most misquoted line in the Bible. What was really said in 1 Timothy 6:10 is “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” It is not money itself that is inherently bad, but a person’s attitude towards it that makes them do bad deeds.
An Eye for An Eye, And A Tooth for A Tooth
This is also another phrase that is often misquoted as Jesus’ teaching. This line is indeed in the Bible, but it first appeared in the Old Testament. Jesus quoted it in His sermon (Matthew 5:38), but teaches against it, basically saying, “Don’t do this anymore.”
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
The verse Isaiah 25:4 contradicts this saying, so there is no way Jesus said this in any of His teachings. Algernon Sidney, an English political theorist, was the one who first said this line. Later on, it was used by Benjamin Franklin in the 1736 Poor Richard Almanack.
Follow Your Heart
In Jeremiah 17:9, we are taught, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This verse directly contradicts the saying, “Follow your heart.” Therefore, it was not said by Jesus nor does it hold any Biblical origin.
Forgive And Forget
Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible. This saying may hold a similar context as Hebrews 8:12, but Jesus never said the phrase “forgive and forget.”
This, Too, Shall Pass
This phrase provides comfort to those who are going through a tough time, which is why many people are led to believe that this is quoted from the Bible. There may be several passages in the Bible that are worded similarly, but the exact phrase “this too shall pass” is not stated.
To Err is Human, to Forgive Divine
When talking about forgiveness, one might attribute it to Jesus’ teachings. However, this line is nowhere in the Bible. It was Alexander Pope who coined this famous line from his 1711 treatise “An Essay on Criticism.”
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Many people relate this saying to several accounts in the Bible. One of the most common examples is found in Proverbs 8:17. While this saying teaches an important lesson in punctuality, it was never stated in the Bible.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Matthew 21:28-32 talks about the parable of the two sons and the lesson that can be derived from it can be related to the famous saying “actions speak louder than words.” While it is true that God believes our actions and intentions more than the words we say, this line was not said by Jesus.
All You Need is Love
This is a popular phrase that is often associated with the idea that love is the answer to everything. Given that love and compassion are the two main themes in the Bible, it is easy to see why people might mistakenly believe that this saying is a biblical quote. However, it wasn’t Jesus, but the Beatles who popularized this phrase through their 1967 song of the same title.
I Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle
Jesus never said this in any of His teachings. However, the meaning behind this famous line can be related to the Bible’s teachings about temptation which can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
God Works in Mysterious Ways
This is a saying inspired by faith rather than being a specific biblical quote. It is a comforting expression for many people, but it never appeared in any of Jesus’ teachings.
Everything in Moderation
Jesus’ teaching involves living a balanced life, where moderation and self-discipline are important aspects. Proverbs 25:16 does say, “If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit,” which reflects the idea of moderate consumption. While the line “everything in moderation” is not a direct biblical quote, its underlying meaning resonates with Jesus’ teachings.
More From Hope No Matter What
14 False Doctrines Preached in Modern Churches
15 Beliefs Catholics Have About the Virgin Mary
16 Controversial Christian Practices That Diverge From Jesus’ Teachings
15 Tough Questions from Atheists That Will Challenge Your Faith
