Interpret what this passage means
Once you've carefully observed a passage and come to terms with what the author is saying, the next step is interpretation, seeking to understand what the passage means. This involves uncovering the author's intent, argument, and main points. It's crucial during this stage to set aside your own opinions, assumptions, and theological preferences as much as possible. Let the author, both human and divine, speak for themselves.
Start by asking: What was the author’s original purpose in writing this? What argument are they making? What themes or key points are they trying to get across? Your goal is to discover what the text meant to its original audience and how that meaning unfolds within the larger context of Scripture.
The principles of observation still apply here. You should still avoid adding anything to the passage that isn't there, and you shouldn’t ignore or minimize things that are there. Watch out for common pitfalls, like the negative inference fallacy, drawing conclusions from what isn’t said, rather than focusing on what is. Stay grounded in the text, and let the author’s priorities shape your interpretation. Make sure the main thing remains the main thing.
Part of interpreting a passage well means understanding how it fits within the broader text. Where does it fall in the flow of the author’s argument? What came before it? What follows? Pay attention to how key words and ideas are used elsewhere both by the same author and by other biblical writers. When a word or phrase appears in multiple contexts, compare how it functions in each. Remember, words can have multiple meanings, so the same word may not mean the same thing in different contexts.
Sometimes New Testament authors interpret and apply Old Testament texts in ways that expand or deepen the original understanding. Even if their interpretation reveals a meaning that the Old Testament authors or readers may not have fully grasped, the New Testament interpretation is still correct. These writers were just as inspired by God as the Old Testament authors, and God’s intended meaning was always present, even if the human authors didn’t fully understand it at the time.
Understanding the sequence of events in a passage is also helpful. What’s happening in the narrative timeline, and how does this passage connect to the events before and after it? Asking questions like “Why did the author include this?” or “What is the significance of this detail?” can reveal deeper layers of meaning. Consider where the event falls in history—was it before or after God called Israel? Before or after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? These time markers, along with other major events, can greatly influence how we understand the text.
It’s also important to think about the genre. Some biblical stories contain a deeper or symbolic meaning beyond the surface called an allegory. But be careful, don't assume something is allegorical unless the author or speaker clearly indicates it. If it is, then explore the allegorical meaning thoughtfully.
Ultimately, interpretation is about understanding the heart of the message—not just what is said, but why it’s said, and how it contributes to the bigger picture of God’s revelation.
Linked mentions
The following pages link to this page: