Favorite quotes from the New Testament
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Since there is no schedule Saturday Mass on Holy Saturday, today's reflection will be on my All-time Favorite Quotes from the New Testament. I started by making a list of quotes, phrases, and the like that are meaningful to me. Then I rearranged my list into approximately chronological order. Your list most likely would not look the same. There’s a lot that got skipped over.
Our reflections have been tied to the Mass readings for the Saturday following our Wednesday reflection day. This coming Saturday is Holy Saturday, which falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is a time of reflection and anticipation for Christians. The Easter Vigil Mass, which takes place after sundown on Holy Saturday, properly belongs to Easter Sunday. There is no Saturday mass this week in the Catholic Church. Therefore, we have no readings for today to reflect on!
For my reflection this week, I am taking the "nothing to reflect on" situation as a "choose your own reflection" opportunity.
Specifically, my reflection will be on my All-time Favorite Quotes from the New Testament. I started by making a list of quotes, phrases, and the like that are meaningful to me. Then I rearranged my list into approximately chronological order. Your list most likely would not look the same. There’s a lot that got skipped over. We’ll cover those events, miracles, personalities, inspirations, and lessons weekly as we return to our “regular” reflections next week.
Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
The birth of Jesus – Christmas! The speaker is an angel, the audience included the shepherds tending their sheep.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” [Luke 2:10-12]
A longer version of this reading was the basis of Linus’s Christmas Speech from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” See
This scene was added to the animated special over the objections of the producer and the animator, who believed that Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz had crossed a line in wanting Linus to recite the Bible.
Producer Lee Mendelson recalled, “When [Schulz] said, ‘You know, we’re going to have Linus read from the Bible,’ animator Bill Melendez and I looked at each other and said, ‘Uh oh, that doesn’t sound very good,’ But then Schulz said, ‘Look, if we’re going to do this, we should talk about what Christmas is all about, not just do a cartoon with no particular point of view.’”
Linus takes center stage at a play practice and recites Luke 2:8-14. “And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” Linus proclaims.
Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?
Mary and Joseph have “lost” Jesus while returning from Jerusalem. They retrace their footsteps back to Jerusalem, finding Jesus in the temple:
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man. [Luke 2:41-52]
We know what radio commentator Paul Harvey would have referred to as “the rest of the story.” Jesus was in “his Father’s house”, the temple of the Jewish God in Jerusalem. This episode is our only glimpse of the life of Jesus between his birth in Bethlehem and when he meets up with his cousin John the Baptist when they are both adults in their early 30s. And we DO get what Jesus said in his reply. The other detail in the surrounding verses is that “all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.”
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased
God is speaking this time. We are at the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This follows an introduction to the methods and work of John the Baptist.
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” [Matthew 3:3] Yeah, that was a possible candidate for great quotes, but it all gets bested a few verses later with the actual baptism of Jesus: After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:16-17]
I don’t know about you, but I would find the “voice from the heavens” to be authoritative and convincing.
We hear a very similar proclamation from God almost three years later, during the Transfiguration.
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test
The phrase "you shall not put the Lord your God to the test" originates from Deuteronomy 6:16, where Moses warns the Israelites against testing God as they did at Massah, a place where they doubted God's provision and demanded water. This admonition emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's care and provision, rather than challenging His authority or presence.
For my list of greatest quotes, however, I’m thinking of the temptation of Jesus, after his 40 days in the desert. We join the gospel as Satan begins the second of three temptations:
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” [Matthew 4:5-7]
I chose this quote because it seems like REALLY good advice when contemplating bending the rules to your advantage.
Behold, the Lamb of God
John the Baptist was still baptizing with water in the Jordan. Following the baptism of Jesus, John was now testifying that Jesus was “the son of God.” John had many followers, and it would have been normal for them to continue following the Baptist. At the same time, his followers (disciples) had developed a sense of trust and belief in what John preached.
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. [John 1:35-37]
I like this quote because what looks like a simple observation becomes permission for John’s followers to turn to the one who is greater than John the Baptist. Truly the way of the Lord.
Do whatever he tells you
The first miracle of Jesus is known as the Wedding at Cana, where he turned water into wine. This event marked the beginning of his public ministry and demonstrated his supernatural control over physical elements. During the wedding feast, Jesus was present with his mother, Mary, and his disciples, and when the wine ran out, he instructed the servants to fill jars with water, which he then transformed into wine.
The short discourse between Jesus and his mother has Mary’s last words in the Bible and what I feel is THE instructions for all of us:
When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” [And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” [John 2:3-5]
“Do whatever he tells you” – that’s pretty much like saying “before starting, read all of the instructions (the gospel of Jesus) and follow them exactly.” To me, the message is more fundamentally important the physical water into wine transformation.
Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men
This is a favorite of mine because of my early memories of the story and song “I Will Make You Fishers of Men (If You Follow Me)” that I learned in Protestant Sunday School. Matthew’s Gospel has these verses:
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. [Matthew 4:18-20]
I was young and a bit of a “from the pier with a bamboo pole fisherman”, but the readings did not conjure up images of catching men-fish with a pole. I think it was the “follow me” part of the song and verses which was somehow comforting in its guiding leadership and inclusivity. There was also a feeling of being needed to invite more to join in.
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind
The greatest commandment! When Jesus was tested by the Pharisees, his answer, which originates in the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, is somehow simpler to understand and underpins the whole gospel, or Good News, message we receive from Christ.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22:36-40]
This is not new information, but shows a clarity and simplicity that underlie “the whole law.” I like it because it is more poetic and easier to recall than as presented earlier.
Do what you came to do
Judas the betrayer is often thought of as the villain in the death of Jesus. I see it differently. Without the crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection, and the prophecies would have been unfulfilled. Judas had an important part to play in the final hours of Jesus’ life on earth. Jesus knew this, so he did not run away to safety. Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus had been praying to the Father, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Jesus knew what was going to happen next:
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. [Matthew 26:47-50]
There was no turning back. This was all part of God’s plan. Do what you came to do.
Into your hands I commend my spirit
Perhaps the most solemn and terrifying moment in the New Testament.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” and when he had said this, he breathed his last. [Luke 23:46]
Oh my! The last words of Jesus in his human incarnation. The words are originally from Psalm 31, where David continues a lamentation that starts with “In you, LORD, I take refuge.” Jesus has finished his purpose on earth and is coming home.
He is not here
Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome were headed to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. Like everyone else, there would have been a sad numbness about what they had witnessed on Friday, two days ago. No one yet understood what was about to be revealed:
On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’” Then they went out and fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. [Mark 16:5-8]
Where does your mind go next? Would you be replaying in you mind any suggestions of what was going to happen on the third day? How many other possibilities would you be entertaining? The only thing you know for sure is that, as the angel said, “he is not here.”
Feed my sheep
Jesus had visited Peter and the others in the upper room on at least two occasions, received the holy spirit, but without their leader, the apostles seemed to lack direction. Peter had returned to fishing. Jesus was standing on the shore, unrecognized by his disciples. No fish had been caught. Jesus instructed them to cast the net again, which was beyond successful. At that moment, the apostle John realized it was Jesus. They all joined the Lord on shore for a meal of fish and bread.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.” [John 21:15-17]
What was going on here? This was Jesus telling Peter to “feed my sheep, " which meant “lead the church.” Time to quit fishing and accept your destiny, leadership of the church. Note that Jesus doesn’t say “help feed my sheep”, or “get someone to tend my sheep”, he says “feed my sheep.” YOU (Peter) are in charge, and I expect you to carry it out as you love me.
Why are you persecuting me?
After the Ascension, Jesus doesn’t make many appearances. The one exception that comes to mind was during the conversion of Saul to the eventual St. Paul, the evangelist and writer that was instrumental to the growth of the church, especially among the gentiles. Jesus’ words to Saul changed his heart, understanding, and direction for Saul and the whole church. Saul was on his way to Damascus to bring early Christians back to Jerusalem in chains:
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. [Acts 9:3-8]
No one trusts or likes Saul, but in a vision, Jesus tells a disciple in Damascus named Ananias “this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” St. Paul’s prolific results show his complete conversion, which all started with Jesus asking “Why are you persecuting me?”
There are not enough books
OK, I’ll admit there is a LOT of great lessons, verses, gospel readings, miracles, and events that I have not included in my list of favorite or greatest quotes of the New Testament. If I were to do this again, I might have a remarkably different list. So I’ll add one more item to my current list. It’s not a quote, but something John closed his book with:
There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. [John 21:25]
I’d love to hear your list.