Buried Quote by Frederic Farrar
“Concerning the prayer that mountains fall to crush and hide, Farrar , says: "These words of Christ met with a painfully literal illustration when hundreds of the unhappy Jews at the siege of Jerusalem hid themselves in the darkest and vilest subterranean recesses, and when, besides those who were hunted out, no less than two thousand were killed by being buried under the ruins of their hiding places."”
About This Quote
Source Historical Commentary: The Siege of Jerusalem, 70 AD, as referenced in Farrar's work on biblical interpretation
The passage illustrates how literal interpretations of prophecy can lead to tragic, real-world suffering.
In simple terms: Prophecy can cause literal, deadly outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Beware of taking metaphorical language literally.
Themes
faith
interpretation
history
tragedy
prophecy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
analysis
warning
When to use this quote
- theological study
- historical analysis
- ethical debates on scriptural reading
Key Concepts
literalism
danger of misinterpretation
historical consequences
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do scholars have when interpreting sacred texts?
- How can communities avoid harmful literalism?
A Different Perspective
Literal readings can cause harm if not contextualized.
