The Bible's Impact on Language

Answer Key

Many common phrases in American English have their roots in the Bible. Tell which book of the Bible each quote or allusion comes from:

  1. All things to all people - I Corinthians 9:22
  2. Cast the first stone - John 8:7
  3. Doubting Thomas - John 20:27
  4. Eat, drink, and be merry - Ecclesiastes 8:15; Luke 12:19
  5. Forbidden fruit - Genesis 3:2-3
  6. Man after his own heart - I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22
  7. Salt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
  8. Woe is me - Psalm 120:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 4:31; 10:19; 15:10; 45:3; Micah 7:1; I Corinthians 9:16
  9. Writing on the wall - Daniel 5:5
  10. The least of these - Matthew 5:19; 25:40,45
  11. My brother's keeper - Genesis 4:9
  12. Many are called, but few are chosen - Matthew 20:16; 22:14
  13. Just the hem of the garment - Matthew 9:20; 14:36; Mark 6:56
  14. Escaped by the skin of my teeth - Job 19:20
Quiz
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