40 Questions for Consideration when Interpreting the Bible

An assortment of text-level, book-level, Bible-level, and theological questions

Sometimes we can enhance our reading of Scripture simply by asking some good questions. Here are some basic ones for you to consider the next time you read your Bible!

1. What does this word mean? What is the definition?

2. What part of speech is this word (i.e., noun, adjective, verb, pronoun, adverb, participle, preposition, etc.)?

3. How is this word functioning in its clause? in its sentence? in its paragraph?

4. What is this set of words doing (i.e., is it a command? A question? A statement of fact? etc.)?

5. How do the words, clauses, and sentences fit together to make a coherent point?

6. What literary devices are being used (e.g., simile, metaphor, symbolism, analogy, etc.)?

7. What are the key words?

8. Why are these words the key words?

9. What is the genre of the text (e.g., narrative, epistle/letter, poetry, prophecy, etc.)?

10. How might the overall genre affect the interpretation of the individual passages?

11. What is the overall purpose of the text/book from beginning to end?

12. How do the individual passages fit into the book’s overall purpose?

13. Who was the book written to?

14. Who was the book written for?

15. What does this text teach me about God?

16. What does this text teach me about Jesus?

17. What does this text teach me about the Holy Spirit?

18. What does this text teach me about the nature of Scripture?

19. What does this text teach me about salvation, damnation, and/or eternal destiny?

20. What does this text teach me about angels, demons, spirits, and/or spiritual warfare?

21. What does this text teach me about the church?

22. What does this text teach me about sin?

23. What does this text teach me about humanity?

24. What does this text teach me about the end of the world and/or the new creation?

25. What does this text teach me about the relationship between God and humans?

26. Who is speaking in this text?

27. Who is being spoken to?

28. Does this text quote any other biblical texts?

29. Does this text allude to any other biblical texts?

30. If another text is quoted/alluded to, how is that text being used?

31. What is the theme of this text?

32. Does the theme of this text relate to themes in any other biblical texts?

33. Does the development of this theme in other biblical texts help you understand its development in the text you’re reading?

34. What is the overall message/storyline of the Bible?

35. How does the message of the text you’re reading fit with the overall message/storyline of the Bible?

36. Does this passage directly point to Jesus? How?

37. Does this passage indirectly point to Jesus? How?

38. Is the author referencing a particular biblical covenant (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic)?

39. How does this text enjoin to understand or worship God?

40. What does this text contribute to the life of the church (i.e., God’s people)?