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Answer
Jesus’ every word was full of wisdom and truth. Some of His sayings have become part of common language due to their profound meaning and the influence they have had on believers and non-believers alike. While any compilation of Jesus’ most renowned sayings is somewhat subjective, the following is our selection of ten of Jesus’ most famous sayings:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” «And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. », (Luke 6:31)
This advice from Jesus is well-known worldwide and is commonly referred to as “The Golden Rule.” Jesus’ guidance on interacting with others is fundamental to fostering healthy relationships, and the moral essence of the statement resonates with a broad spectrum of individuals. What distinguishes this statement from similar teachings by other historical figures is the positive approach of Jesus’ directive and the emphasis on actively showing kindness to others.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6)
When Jesus foretold His own death, His disciples understandably felt troubled. Jesus reassured them by explaining that He was going to heaven to prepare a place for all believers «In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. », (John 14:2). He then stated, “You know the way to the place I am going” (verse 4). Thomas, confused, questioned this statement, and Jesus replied by informing the disciples.Principles that He is the way to heaven—the only way. Jesus’ statement that He is the way, the truth, and the life is one of the most important tenets of Christianity. It identifies the Savior and sets limits on how salvation is obtained, which is through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” «But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; », (Matthew 5:44)
This statement, from the Sermon on the Mount, would have seemed strange to the Jewish people. In Leviticus 19:18, God commanded the Israelites, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” From this, the Jews erroneously inferred that the command to love others applied only to their own people—those who lived among them and were literally their neighbors. In Jesus’ time, God’s people, particularly the Pharisees, had become quite legalistic in the way they carried out God’s Law, and so Jesus expanded their notion of loving one’s neighbor to include “outsiders” and those who wronged them. Jesus’ words still apply to Christians today.
“I and the Father are one.” «I and my Father are one. », (John 10:30)
This famous quote was in response to a demand made by a crowd of Jews that surrounded Jesus at the temple: “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly” «Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. », (John 10:24). Jesus rebuked them because He had already made it plain, by the works that He did, that He was iIndeed, the Messiah (verse 25). He then spoke of His sheep and their secure relationship with their Shepherd, and He made His startling claim that He is one with the Father. His hearers understood exactly what Jesus meant: that He was God in the flesh (verse 33). In response to Jesus’ radical claim, His opponents picked up stones to stone Him for blasphemy (verse 31). Although Jesus escaped at this time, His enemies would later use the statement against Him as a reason for His crucifixion «The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. », (John 19:7).
“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” «Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.», (Matthew 6:34)
With these famous words, Jesus was warning believers against anxiety. There is no need to fear about our basic needs being met. Not only did Jesus remind us of His great love and care for His own (Matthew 6:26-30), but He also laid out our priorities: our first order of business is to seek His will and His kingdom, and then “all these things will be given to you as well” (verse 33).
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
In this statement, Jesus reiterates two commands from the Old Testament found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. These two commandments, both rooted in love.
Love encapsulates the entirety of the Old Testament, as stated by Jesus. Each of God’s specific guidelines for living can be linked back to either love for God or love for people (cf. Galatians 5:14).
“If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek as well.” «But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.», (Matthew 5:39)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus frequently instructed people to act in ways that were counterintuitive. The directive to “turn the other cheek” serves as an illustration. Due to our human nature, seeking revenge and feeling anger appear to be the most instinctive responses when we are wronged. However, Jesus urges us to go against our natural inclinations to exhibit a godly demeanor. Instead of retaliating evil with evil, we are called to respond with humility and counter evil with blessings «not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing; for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.», (cf. 1 Peter 3:9).
“But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” «But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.», (Matthew 19:30)
Once again, Jesus challenged assumptions and instincts when He spoke these words to His disciples. He emphasized the value of humility in the kingdom of heaven over wealth or self-importance. This concept was reiterated in Matthew 20 through the parable of the vineyard (verses 1–16).
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” «And he said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”», (Luke 20:25, ESV).
The Lord clearly distinguished between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, while also highlighting our responsibility in both realms. We must show proper respect to authority and obey the laws of the land where we reside, as well as fulfill our duty to God. Jesus made this renowned statement in response to those attempting to deceive Him into making controversial remarks. His response is truly ingenious—and undeniably truthful.
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” «So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. », (John 8:7, ESV).
Certain scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus, caught, as they claimed, in the very act of adultery (John 8:2-4). They asked Jesus what should be done with her. This question was a trap; those who brought the woman had not brought the man, and they were indifferent to what was right or wrong concerning her. Their only aim was to find a way to accuse Jesus of something. Instead of responding immediately, the Lord bent down and wrote on the ground. Despite their persistence in badgering Him, He eventually stood up and delivered His famous words about casting the first stone. One by one, the woman’s accusers departed, overwhelmed by guilt. Jesus pardoned the woman and instructed her to abandon her life of adultery.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. We have not even mentioned John 3:16, for instance, or Acts 20:35, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, or many other well-known teachings of Jesus. Every time He spoke, people were astounded by His instruction, and even His adversaries admitted that “no one ever spoke the way this man.
Does “The officers answered, ‘Never man spake like this man.’”, (John 7:46). Jesus’ words are life-changing: “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”, (John 6:63). Famous or not in this world, Jesus’ words are forever: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”, (Mark 13:31).
