As a writer and an avid reader I find that I’m a bit persnickety when it comes to punctuation marks or the lack thereof. The improper placement of commas can be distracting to a story line. My favorite example of a punctuation faux pas are the two following statements:
Let’s eat Grandma!
Let’s eat, Grandma!
Clearly the placement of a comma changes the entire meaning of this simple sentence.
Recently while reading the Book of Luke in the New Testament, I started noticing how many of Jesus’s remarks were punctuated with exclamation marks. An exclamation mark is usually used after an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or high volume (shouting).
For example, Luke 12:24 in the New Living Translation says: “Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!”
The usage of an exclamation point is letting the reader know that Jesus didn’t make this statement casually. He in fact, had very strong feelings and most likely was shouting this statement to His listeners. That exclamation point is Jesus telling us, we matter to Him!
When Jesus healed a woman who’d been crippled by an evil spirit for 18 years, He called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” (Luke 13:12) That exclamation mark indicates that Jesus was excited about this woman’s healing.
While I’m no Theological expert or an English major, I don’t know for certain how closely translated from the original Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek text these passages are in the New Living Translation Bible. Reading through the New Testament, however, whenever I read the excitement in my Lord’s voice that excites me as a reader. To know that Jesus couldn’t contain His excitement over the healing of a woman makes me happy.
When Jesus cleared the temple in Matthew 21 (verses 12 and 13), He was outraged and shouted at the money changers, “but you have turned it [the temple] into a den of thieves!”
As Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, He was hungry and went over to see if there were any figs on a fig tree that was in full bloom. He was angry to discover the tree held no fruit and in His anger, cursed the tree: “May you never bear fruit again!” (Matthew 21:19)
Even though we may have read the New Testament repeatedly, it can be easy to overlook the punctuation marks which display the emotions found in the Scriptures. Jesus was a passionate man who wasn’t always meek and mild as He is often depicted. Jesus exhibited a myriad of emotions, including anger, joy and excitement.
The next time you come across the red-letter words of Jesus, stop! Take notice of the commas, and the pauses He makes. Pay attention to the exclamation marks as He shouts to get our attention! Stop and ponder the words preceding the periods which are there to separate His thoughts as He transitions to new thoughts.
Punctuation may not be popular in today’s society of #hashtags and social media LOL abbreviations – but trust me, punctuation matters!
“Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:14 NLT)
Blessings in Christ and as always … happy reading!
Kathy K.
Loved this!
Well said, Kathi!!!
From a former English teacher. 🙂
Love it. I can especially relate to the hungry Jesus getting angry. Ha ha. 😉