Jesus is a special person in many stories that people read and share. He is known for being kind, helping others, and teaching good lessons. People use different sayings, or idioms, to talk about how Jesus lived and what he did. These idioms help explain his actions in fun and simple ways. They are not always meant to be taken word for word. Instead, they show a deeper meaning in a short phrase.
In this article, we will learn some idioms that people use when talking about Jesus. You might hear these in songs, church, or even at home. We’ll find out what each idiom means and see how we can use them. These phrases help us understand big ideas in a way that’s easier to remember. Let’s start exploring!
Idioms for Jesus
1. Lamb of God
Meaning: Jesus, who gave his life for others.
Within a Sentence: Many people call Jesus the Lamb of God. / She learned that Jesus is the Lamb of God in Sunday School.
In Other Words: He gave himself to help others. / He gave up his life for love.
2. Walk on water
Meaning: To do something that seems impossible.
Within a Sentence: People say Jesus walked on water. / He acts like he can walk on water.
In Other Words: Do something amazing. / Do something hard with ease.
3. Turn the other cheek
Meaning: Be kind even when someone is mean.
Within a Sentence: Jesus told people to turn the other cheek. / She turned the other cheek when her friend was rude.
In Other Words: Don’t fight back. / Stay calm and nice.
4. Carry your cross
Meaning: Face hard times with strength.
Within a Sentence: Jesus carried his cross. / He said we all have to carry our cross.
In Other Words: Go through tough things bravely. / Handle problems with faith.
5. Follow in Jesus’ footsteps
Meaning: Try to live like Jesus.
Within a Sentence: She wants to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. / He helps others, trying to be like Jesus.
In Other Words: Act kind and loving. / Live with care like Jesus.
6. A fishers of men
Meaning: Bring people to faith.
Within a Sentence: Jesus made his friends fishers of men. / They became fishers of men at church camp.
In Other Words: Help others learn about God. / Invite people to believe.
7. Turn water into wine
Meaning: Do something surprising or helpful.
Within a Sentence: Jesus turned water into wine. / She fixed the broken toy like turning water into wine.
In Other Words: Do something magical. / Make things better fast.
8. The Good Shepherd
Meaning: Jesus who guides and protects.
Within a Sentence: Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. / He takes care of people like a Good Shepherd.
In Other Words: A kind leader. / Someone who helps others stay safe.
9. Bread of life
Meaning: Jesus gives us what we truly need.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said he is the Bread of Life. / We learn about the Bread of Life in class.
In Other Words: Jesus feeds our hearts. / He helps us grow inside.
10. Light of the world
Meaning: Jesus brings hope.
Within a Sentence: Jesus is the Light of the World. / His love shines like a light.
In Other Words: Jesus brings joy. / He shows the way.
11. Wash someone’s feet
Meaning: To serve others with kindness.
Within a Sentence: Jesus washed his friends’ feet. / She helped her brother like washing feet.
In Other Words: Be humble. / Help others kindly.
12. Doubting Thomas
Meaning: Someone who doesn’t believe right away.
Within a Sentence: He’s a Doubting Thomas about miracles. / Don’t be a Doubting Thomas, have faith.
In Other Words: Someone who needs proof. / Someone who questions things.
13. Born again
Meaning: Start fresh with faith in Jesus.
Within a Sentence: She said she was born again after praying. / He felt born again after learning about Jesus.
In Other Words: A new life in God. / Changed by faith.
14. Lost sheep
Meaning: A person who has strayed and needs help.
Within a Sentence: He was a lost sheep until he returned to church. / Jesus goes after the lost sheep.
In Other Words: Someone who needs care. / A person who wandered off.
15. Take up your cross
Meaning: Accept life’s challenges with faith.
Within a Sentence: He said to take up your cross each day. / She takes up her cross when things are hard.
In Other Words: Face hard times with courage. / Trust God when it’s tough.
16. Peace be still
Meaning: A way to calm fear, like Jesus did.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said, “Peace, be still” to calm the storm. / Mom says “Peace, be still” when I’m upset.
In Other Words: Calm down. / Be quiet and trust.
17. Deny me three times
Meaning: Pretend not to know someone out of fear.
Within a Sentence: Peter denied Jesus three times. / He felt bad like Peter who denied him three times.
In Other Words: Say you don’t know someone. / Act like you’re not part of it.
18. Let your light shine
Meaning: Show your goodness and love.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said, let your light shine. / She let her light shine by helping others.
In Other Words: Be kind and bright. / Share your gifts.
19. Cast the first stone
Meaning: Don’t judge others if you’re not perfect.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” / He didn’t cast the first stone.
In Other Words: Don’t be too quick to blame. / We all make mistakes.
20. Crown of thorns
Meaning: The pain Jesus took for others.
Within a Sentence: Jesus wore a crown of thorns. / He thought of Jesus’ crown of thorns during tough times.
In Other Words: A hard sacrifice. / Pain for love.
21. Son of Man
Meaning: A name Jesus used for himself.
Within a Sentence: Jesus called himself the Son of Man. / We learned the Son of Man came to help everyone.
In Other Words: Jesus, as a person. / The helper for all people.
22. Feed my sheep
Meaning: Take care of others and teach them.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” to Peter. / She helps kids and feeds His sheep.
In Other Words: Help people grow. / Care for others kindly.
23. The Prodigal Son
Meaning: Someone who leaves but comes back.
Within a Sentence: He acted like the Prodigal Son but was welcomed home. / Her story is like the Prodigal Son.
In Other Words: A person who makes mistakes, then returns. / A forgiven child.
24. Loaves and fishes
Meaning: A small thing that becomes more with faith.
Within a Sentence: Jesus fed many with loaves and fishes. / With faith, a little becomes loaves and fishes.
In Other Words: A small gift made big. / Sharing can do a lot.
25. Eye of a needle
Meaning: A hard thing to do, almost impossible.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said it’s hard for the rich to enter heaven, like a camel through the eye of a needle. / That task was like going through the eye of a needle.
In Other Words: Really hard. / Nearly impossible.
26. Mountaintop experience
Meaning: A time of great joy or closeness to God.
Within a Sentence: She had a mountaintop experience at Bible camp. / Praying gave him a mountaintop feeling.
In Other Words: A happy, holy moment. / Feeling close to God.
27. The Last Supper
Meaning: Jesus’ final meal with his followers.
Within a Sentence: They acted out the Last Supper in class. / The Last Supper is remembered with bread and juice.
In Other Words: Jesus’ last meal. / A holy goodbye.
28. Living water
Meaning: Jesus’ love that never runs out.
Within a Sentence: Jesus gives us living water. / He prayed for living water to fill his heart.
In Other Words: Jesus keeps us full inside. / A love that doesn’t stop.
29. Faith like a mustard seed
Meaning: A small bit of faith can do big things.
Within a Sentence: She had faith like a mustard seed and stayed strong. / A little belief can grow like a mustard seed.
In Other Words: Small faith is powerful. / Even tiny trust matters.
30. Stone rolled away
Meaning: A new start or big miracle.
Within a Sentence: The stone was rolled away when Jesus rose. / It felt like the stone rolled away after she forgave.
In Other Words: A big change. / A new beginning.
31. Jesus take the wheel
Meaning: Let Jesus lead your life.
Within a Sentence: When she was scared, she said, “Jesus, take the wheel.” / He prayed and let Jesus take the wheel.
In Other Words: Let God guide you. / Trust Jesus to help.
32. Heart like Jesus
Meaning: A kind, loving heart.
Within a Sentence: She has a heart like Jesus, always helping. / He forgives fast, just like a heart like Jesus.
In Other Words: Kind and caring. / Full of love.
33. Cross to bear
Meaning: A hard thing someone has to face.
Within a Sentence: He said his sickness was his cross to bear. / We all have a cross to bear sometimes.
In Other Words: A challenge. / Something hard we must carry.
34. In the lion’s den
Meaning: Being in a tough or scary place.
Within a Sentence: She felt like she was in the lion’s den at the new school. / He prayed while in the lion’s den of problems.
In Other Words: A hard or scary spot. / Feeling tested.
35. Walk in the Spirit
Meaning: Live a good life with God’s help.
Within a Sentence: They try to walk in the Spirit every day. / Walking in the Spirit means choosing love.
In Other Words: Let the Holy Spirit guide you. / Live kindly and right.
36. Throw stones
Meaning: Judge others harshly.
Within a Sentence: Jesus told them not to throw stones. / Don’t throw stones if you’ve made mistakes too.
In Other Words: Don’t be mean about others’ faults. / Don’t judge.
37. Risen from the grave
Meaning: Jesus coming back to life.
Within a Sentence: Jesus rose from the grave on Easter. / The story says he is risen from the grave.
In Other Words: Jesus came back to life. / He lives again.
38. In God’s image
Meaning: Made to be like God in love and goodness.
Within a Sentence: We are all made in God’s image. / She teaches that every child is in God’s image.
In Other Words: Made special. / Made with care and love.
39. Sheep without a shepherd
Meaning: Lost or confused people.
Within a Sentence: He felt like a sheep without a shepherd before he found faith. / They were like sheep without a shepherd before church.
In Other Words: People need help. / People without direction.
40. With God all things are possible
Meaning: Believing God can do anything.
Within a Sentence: She kept going because she knew with God all things are possible. / He believed in the impossible because of God.
In Other Words: Nothing is too big for God. / Have strong faith.
41. In the beginning was the Word
Meaning: Jesus was there from the start.
Within a Sentence: The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word.” / Jesus is called the Word from the beginning.
In Other Words: Jesus was always with God. / He was there first.
42. Let go and let God
Meaning: Stop worrying and trust God.
Within a Sentence: When she was stressed, she let go and let God. / He let go and let God take care of the problem.
In Other Words: Trust God to handle things. / Don’t try to fix it all alone.
43. Salt of the earth
Meaning: A very good and honest person.
Within a Sentence: Grandma is the salt of the earth. / He helps everyone, just like the salt of the earth.
In Other Words: A kind and helpful person. / Someone who makes life better.
44. City on a hill
Meaning: A life that shines with goodness for all to see.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said to be like a city on a hill. / Her kindness is like a city on a hill.
In Other Words: Be a good example. / Show love openly.
45. The Word made flesh
Meaning: Jesus came to earth as a person.
Within a Sentence: We say Jesus is the Word made flesh. / The Bible teaches that the Word became flesh and lived here.
In Other Words: God came down as Jesus. / Jesus lived as a human.
46. The narrow path
Meaning: The right way, even when it’s hard.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said to take the narrow path. / The narrow path is hard but good.
In Other Words: Do what’s right, not easy. / Stay close to good choices.
47. Born in a manger
Meaning: Jesus was born humbly.
Within a Sentence: Jesus was born in a manger. / His story starts in a simple place, a manger.
In Other Words: He came in a lowly way. / He started small.
48. The stone the builders rejected
Meaning: Jesus, who was not accepted at first, became the most important.
Within a Sentence: Jesus is the stone the builders rejected. / What others forgot, God made strong.
In Other Words: Left out but became great. / Not chosen, then lifted up.
49. Washed in the blood
Meaning: Forgiven by Jesus’ sacrifice.
Within a Sentence: She said she was washed in the blood of Jesus. / That song says we are washed in His blood.
In Other Words: Clean in heart because of Jesus. / Sins taken away.
50. Jesus is my rock
Meaning: Jesus gives strength and support.
Within a Sentence: She said Jesus is my rock during hard times. / He stands strong because Jesus is his rock.
In Other Words: He is solid and safe. / We can count on him.
51. Come to Jesus moment
Meaning: A time to tell the truth or make a big change.
Within a Sentence: He had a come-to-Jesus moment about his choices. / After the talk, she had a come-to-Jesus moment.
In Other Words: Time to be honest. / A big wake-up call.
52. The lamb and the lion
Meaning: Jesus is gentle like a lamb and strong like a lion.
Within a Sentence: Jesus is the lamb and the lion. / He shows love and power like the lamb and the lion.
In Other Words: Gentle and strong. / Peaceful but brave.
53. Kingdom of God
Meaning: God’s way of love and peace for all people.
Within a Sentence: Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. / They worked to spread the Kingdom of God.
In Other Words: Living with love. / God’s rule of goodness.
54. Nail it to the cross
Meaning: Let go of your mistakes and trust Jesus.
Within a Sentence: She nailed her fears to the cross. / He said to nail your worries to the cross.
In Other Words: Give it to Jesus. / Leave your past behind.
55. The body of Christ
Meaning: All believers working together like one body.
Within a Sentence: The church is the body of Christ. / We all help as the body of Christ.
In Other Words: Everyone has a part. / We work together in faith.
56. Jesus in your heart
Meaning: Loving and trusting Jesus.
Within a Sentence: She said she has Jesus in her heart. / He shows kindness because Jesus is in his heart.
In Other Words: Close to Jesus. / Living with love.
57. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than what is asked, like Jesus taught.
Within a Sentence: He goes the extra mile for his friends. / She went the extra mile to help clean up.
In Other Words: Be extra helpful. / Do more to be kind.
58. Be the hands and feet of Jesus
Meaning: Help others like Jesus did.
Within a Sentence: They are the hands and feet of Jesus at the shelter. / She brings food and is the hands and feet of Jesus.
In Other Words: Do Jesus’ work. / Help people with love.
59. Love thy neighbor
Meaning: Treat others kindly.
Within a Sentence: Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor.” / We show care when we love our neighbors.
In Other Words: Be kind to everyone. / Help and respect others.
60. He is risen
Meaning: Jesus came back to life.
Within a Sentence: On Easter, we say, “He is risen!” / The sign read, “He is risen indeed.”
In Other Words: Jesus lives again. / Jesus came back to life.
True or False Quiz: Idioms for Jesus
- Saying “Jesus is my rock” means He is someone you can count on.
- “Walk on water” means going for a swim with Jesus.
- If someone says “turn the other cheek,” they mean to fight back quickly.
- A “Doubting Thomas” is someone who believes everything right away.
- “He is risen” means Jesus came back to life.
- “Let go and let God” means trying to fix everything yourself.
- If someone “goes the extra mile,” they are doing more than expected.
- “Born in a manger” means Jesus came to earth in a humble way.
- A “lost sheep” is someone who needs help finding their way.
- Saying “Love thy neighbor” means to only care for close friends.
- “Feed my sheep” means to take care of and teach others.
- “Come to Jesus moment” means a silly or joking time.
- “Stone rolled away” is a symbol of a new beginning.
- “Salt of the earth” means a kind and honest person.
- “Be the hands and feet of Jesus” means to help people with kindness.
Answers
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Jesus used simple words and actions to teach big lessons. Many of these have become idioms we still use today. These sayings help us understand faith, love, and kindness in ways that are easy to remember.
By learning idioms about Jesus, we can talk about him in a fun and clear way. These idioms also remind us how to live, by being kind, honest, and helpful. Try using one of them when you talk about doing the right thing or showing love to others. It’s a great way to share what Jesus taught.
