AN ANALYSIS OF FIGURATIVE EXPRESSION FOUND IN
MATTHEW
A THESIS
BY:
ELISABETH MONTESSORY
Reg. No. 070705031
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, the writer gives a grateful thanks to Jesus Christ for His blessing through her life. Thanks God for always keeping her, making grace upon her, and lifting up His countenance upon her especially in rising her up when she felt down during the completion of this thesis until finally she could finishing it.
The writer realizes that it is not the easy thing to write a thesis. It really takes much time and energy. Even there are also so many problems that the writer have to deal with. Therefore, in this chance, she would like to express her heartiest gratitude to these following people.
The writer would like to thanks to her supervisor and co-supervisor, Dr. Matius C.A. Sembiring, M.A and Dra.Persadanta Br. Karo, M.Hum. Thank you for their supervision and guidance in accomplishing this thesis.
The writer would also like to thank to the dean of Faculty of Letters, Dr. Syahron Lubis, M.A, the Head of English Department, Dr. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S , the secretary of English Department, Dr. Nurlela, M.Hum, who had given her all the facilities and opportunities in completing this thesis. The writer is also indebted to all the lecturers of English Department for giving her great contribution of knowledge during these 3 years more.
youngest one, who always disturbed her while doing this thesis. But the writer will miss the moments of it. The thankful also gives to all of her families wherever they are.
The writer would like to give a big thanks to her friends which she called CNT D2E2 MLV. They are Citra, Nde, Tere, Deby, Dewiawik, Eva, Evy, Maya, Liana, and Vita. Thanks for the years of joyfulness, sadness and collaboration (as we go on we will still be friends forever., guys). The genuine gratitude is for Fajar Ebenezer, who taught her so many things about life. Thank you so much.
The writer also would like to say thanks for all friends in Alpha Course; Aunty Mariaty, Uncle Marthin, Uncle Rene, Aunty Asimayanti, Miss Helena, brother Hendra, and all of the teams that giving her a very special lesson about Christianity. It is her pleasure to join with you all. And also to David for lending her some books that support the thesis.
My special thanks also for all friends ‘07 and for the alumnus of English Department. May God bless you all forever, Amen
Medan, March 2011 The writer
ABSTRACT
Skripsi yang berjudul “An Analysis of Figurative Expressions Found in Matthew” adalah suatu kajian yang menganalisis makna penutur yakni makna non-literal yang terdapat dalam kalimat dan ungkapan dalam Alkitab khususnya yang ditulis oleh salah satu murid Yesus, Matius (ditulis dengan judul Matius).
TABLE OF CONTENT
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION... i
COPYRIGHT DECLARATION... ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT... iii
ABSTRACT……….. v
TABLE OF CONTENT………... vi
CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION 1.1Background of the Analysis……….. 1
1.2Problem of the Analysis……… 4
1.3Objectives of the Analysis……… 4
1.4Scope of the Analysis………... 5
1.5Significance of Analysis………... 5
1.6Method of Analysis……….. 5
1.7Review of Related Literature……… 6
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Semantics Theory……….. 8
2.2 Scope of Semantics……….. 10
2.2.1 Meaning………. 11
2.2.2 The Varieties of Meaning……….. 12
2.2.3 Sense and Reference………. 16
2.3 Goals of Semantic Theory………. 17
2.4.2 Kinds of Figurative Expression……… 19
2.4.2.1 Metaphor……….. 19
2.4.2.2 Personification……….. 20
2.4.2.3 Hyperbole………... 21
2.4.2.4 Metonymy……… 21
2.4.2.5 Synecdoche……….. 22
2.4.2.6 Simile……… 23
2.4.2.7 Irony………. 24
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHOD 3.1 Research Design……… 25
3.2 Data Collecting Method……… 26
3.3 Data Analyzing Method……… 26
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS 4.1 Data Findings………. 27
4.2 Analysis……….. 38
4.3 Findings………. 75
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION 5.1 Conclusions……….. 76
5.2 Suggestions……….. 77
ABSTRACT
Skripsi yang berjudul “An Analysis of Figurative Expressions Found in Matthew” adalah suatu kajian yang menganalisis makna penutur yakni makna non-literal yang terdapat dalam kalimat dan ungkapan dalam Alkitab khususnya yang ditulis oleh salah satu murid Yesus, Matius (ditulis dengan judul Matius).
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of The Analysis
A language is what the members of a particular society speak. When two or more people communicate each other in speech, we can call the system of communication that they employ is language. Language plays a great role in our life. Human as social creatures uses language to build relationship each other, to express our reaction to certain situation and to represent our idea, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is spesific ability for human being to communicate by using words and sequence of words, whereas the other living things can not.
Dinneen (1967:8) says, “Language is the sounds produced in speech which is connected with almost every fact of human life and communication”. In other words it may mean that most of the activities in our life recommend us to use language. When we are reading, writing, speaking and listening, they all need language. It is unpredictable how human’s life without language.
understand the meaning becomes more and more pressing. Meaning is unseparable part of language, therefore semantics has been part of linguistics. Semantics is the study of meaning, so meaning becomes the central to the study of communication.
Siregar (1992) said that meaning in semantics can be divided into two parts, literal and non-literal meaning. Literal meaning refers to the meaning of words according to common or dictionary usage. For example, It is the time to feed the cats and dogs. This phrase ‘cats and dogs’ is used in a literal sense, for
the animals are hungry and it is time to eat. When the speaker means something different from his literal meaning of the words, or he has other intentions from the meaning of word he said, it is called non-literal meaning. For example, Every night, the moon comes by just to say good night to me. This sentence does not
mean that the moon has legs to come and talk by saying good night but the speaker want to say that the moon always shines every night as the sign for me to sleep.
used as comparison by giving human form, power and feelings to animal, objects or ideas. Hyperbole is statement which exaggerate from the real meaning. Irony expresses something different and opposite to the literal meaning. Synecdoche is expression which mention a part that represent the whole object or idea. Metonymy is expression by using name or character as the substitution of certain
object.
The object of this thesis is taken from The Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is a book of Christian people as the way to study God’s precious message. As we know figurative expressions are universal to human communication. Every language, including biblical language, has them. While reading the Bible, Christian people find some difficulties to get the correct interpretation of the hidden meaning of a sentence and phrase. That is the reason why the writer would like to analyze the Scripture since the Book has non-literal meaning which semantically can be analyzed.
The Holy Bible consists of two big parts. They are Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament is believed as the basic to understand The New Testament. It consists of 39 chapters. While The New Testament consists of 27 chapters which tell us about the fulfillment of God’s promises.
“for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. The word ‘treasure’ in this sentence is reflected to our idea and affection. The figurative expression is present in this sentence. So, it is reasonable for the writer to take Matthew as the source of this thesis.
1.2Problems of The Analysis
This analysis is a study of semantics, which focuses on the use of the non-literal meaning found in the Holy Bible. In this case the text that is being analyzed is ‘Matthew’.
In this analysis, the writer has some questions as the problem of the analysis:
a. What kinds of figurative expression which found in the Matthew? b. What are the real meanings of the figurative expression found in the
Matthew ?
c. What are the frequencies of the figurative expressions in Matthew ?
1.3 Objectives of The Analysis
Related to the problems of the analysis, the objectives of this analysis are: a. to find out the types of figurative expression in Matthew,
1.4Scope of The Analysis
In this thesis, the writer will make a limitation to obtain a clear and detail picture of the matter that is being analyzed. There are various figurative expression that can be found in literally works, but in this thesis the scope of the analysis is only the text which have figurative expressions in the book of Matthew. And the types of figurative expressions which will be analyzed in this thesis are simile, metaphor, hyperbole, metonymy, personification, synecdoche, and irony.
1.5Significance of Analysis
Theoretically, this thesis can be useful for adding knowledge of the writer in interpreting the text to understand the real meaning of the Bible. Practically this thesis expected to contribute something useful to the readers who want to be major on language in terms of semantics, especially in non-literal meaning. Even the data that they will be analyzed is different from this thesis, it also can be as their review of related literature or as the basic to analyze in semantics’ point of view.
1.6 Method of the Analysis
down the text about figurative expression which found in it. After that, the writer analyzes based on technique figure of speech.
As the method to analyze the data, the writer also used analytical descriptive method. In Teori, Metode, dan Teknik Penelitian Sastra dari Strukturalisme Hingga Prostrukturalisme Perspektif Wacana Naratif (2004:53), Kutha Ratna
states that the analytical descriptive method is done by describing facts and continued by analyzing those facts. Etymologically, description and analysis means to elaborate. Nevertheless, analysis has been given another meaning not only to elaborate, but also to give the understanding and the clarification sufficiently.
1.7 Review of Related Literature
Hartman &Stork (1972) said that language is studied in linguistics. Linguistics is divided into some parts of discipline knowledge and one of them is semantics. Semantics is the study of meaning in language. As Leech (1974) said, “Semantics is central to the study of communication; and as communication becomes more and more a crucial factor in social organization, the need to understand it becomes more and more pressing. Semantics is also at the centre of the study of human mind-thought process, cognition and conceptualization”. In other words means that the process of human attempts to comprehend the nature of meaning also involves the mental ability by the use the reasoning and perception.
speaker meaning, one of them is called figuratively. Saeed (1977:16) said that non-literal language is traditionally called figurative which is described including metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, synecdoche, personification, and simile and irony.
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Semantic Theory
One of the insight modern linguistics is that speakers of a language have different types of linguistics knowledge, including how to pronounce words, how to construct sentences, and about the meaning of individual words and sentences. To reflect this, linguistics description has different level of analysis. One of them is in giving the meaning of linguistics expressions we should establish definitions of the meanings of words. Semantics is commonly defined as the study of meaning communicated through language. The word semantics comes from the Greek word, Semantikos mean “significant”, Semainein mean “to show”, “signify” or “indicated by a sign”; from Sema means “sign”.
The concept of semantics has been use until the 20th century as can be evident from ‘The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English’, published in 1972, which defines semantics ‘branch of philosophy concerned with (changes in) the meaning of words’. It is also interesting to know that their dictionary has classified semantics into plural nouns, so has linguistics
The study of semantics includes the study of how meaning is constructed, interpreted, clarified, obscured, illustrated, and paraphrased.
Regarding the term semantics, let us see some definitions of semantics by some linguists below:
2. Semantics is a mayor branch linguistics devoted to the study of meaning in language (Crystal, 1980:315)
3. Semantics is the study of word meanings and the ways in which words are related to one another lexicon in our mental (Gleason, 1998:13)
4. Semantics is the study of meaning. It concerned with what the sentence and other linguistics objects express, not with the arrangements of their syntactic parts of their pronunciation (J.J Katz, 1972:1)
Leech (1974:ix) said, “Semantics is central to the study of communication; and as communication becomes more and more a crucial factor in social organization, the need to understand it becomes more and more pressing. Semantics is also at the centre of the study of human mind-thought process, cognition and conceptualization”. In conveying the meaning within communication, there are usually different perceptions and views from the listeners. We have to know the speaker’s intent and the context of utterance in order to avoid misunderstanding. It means that semantic analysis become more complicated than attaching definitions to linguistic expressions.
meaning of a word, except in other words, either in the same or a different language? Then, a second problem is how to make sure that our definitions of a word’s meaning are exact. If we ask where the meanings of words exist, the answer must be in the mind of native speakers of the language. So, what should we do if we find that speakers of a language differ in their understanding of what a word means ? Whose knowledge should we pick as our ‘meaning’ ? The third problem comes from looking at what particular utterances mean in context. If features of context are part of an utterance’s meaning then how can we include them in our definitions ? These three issues show that our definitions theory is too simple to do what we want.
2.2 Scope of Semantics
There is no very general agreement either about the nature of meaning or about the way in which it should be described. Semantics is the study of the linguistics meaning. It is not concerned with what sentences and other linguistics object expressed. It is not concerned with the arrangements of syntactic parts, or with their pronunciation. Semantics could cover more extensive areas, from structure and function of language as well as the interrelationship with other discipline.
types of meanings in the language. The second is philosophical approach. Philosophers have investigated the relation between linguistics expression, such as the words of language and person, things and events in the world to which these words refer.
Although there may be different approaches to semantics, these three basic terms seem to be widely mentioned in each of these approaches, i.e. meaning, varieties of meaning, and sense and reference.
2.2.1 Meaning
Semantics is generally defined as the study of meaning and this is the definition that we will provisionally adopt. The principal of semantics is what is to be understood by ‘meaning’. It has been customary for semanticists to emphasize the fact that the noun ‘meaning’ and the verb to ‘mean’ themselves have many distinguishable meanings. Some idea of the range of their meanings may be obtained from a consideration of the following sentences :
(1) What is the meaning of ‘philosophy’ ?
The word meaning as a noun in this sentence. According to the circumstances in which this question is asked, the kind of word philosophy is and the context in which it is being employed. We should expect the answer to this question to differ, not only in detail, but even in general type.
(2) Dark clouds mean rain
equivalent. The verb mean in sentence above can be substituted with sign without changing the total meaning of the sentence.
(3) He means well, but rather clumsy (4) My father rarely means what he says
The notion of intention seems to be relevant also to our understanding of both sentences above, though each use of verb mean here appears to be somewhat different from the others and the substitution of intend for mean might be held to effect some change in the meaning of the sentences. If the sentence (3) implies that he is well-intentioned, that he intends no harm but just a little bit nervous, the sentence (4) implies that the father has no intends to say something clearly.
From examples above we can see the variation meaning of meaning. C.K.Ogden and I.A.Richards in their book “The Meanings of Meaning” which is quoted by Crystal (1987:100) introduces some meanings of meaning. They are constructed in some sentences :
(5) Maya means to go now. Means: intends
(6) A red light means stop. Means: indicates
(7) You mean everything to me. Means: has important
(8) His face is look of meaning. Meaning: special import
(9) What is the meaning of being your wife ? Meaning: point, purpose
2.2.2 The Varieties of Meaning
sign from the point of view of the physical properties (how much the weight, what is the color, how big the sign is, and so on), not studying the implicit meaning of the sign.
Geoffrey Leech (1981) notes seven varieties of meaning. They are as follow:
• Conceptual meaning is logical, cognitive, or denotative content. For example the word MAN has the following denotative, cognitive, or logical content as HUMAN, MALE, ADULT
• Connotative meaning is what is communicated by virtue of what language refers to. For example, the word BOY has the connotation ‘STRONG’ and LION the connotation ‘CRUEL’.
• Social meaning, is what is communicated of the social circumstances of language use. For example, HOME, RESIDENCE, ABODE, and DOMICILE can have the same conceptual meaning, but they convey the different social circumstances of their use.
• Affective meaning is what is communicated of the feelings and attitudes of the speaker or writer. For example, if you are getting someone to go from your room, you might say “I’m terrible sorry to interrupt, but I wonder if you would be so kind as to leave me alone in this room”.
• Collocative meaning is what is communicated through association with words which tend to occur in the environment of another word. For example, BEAUTIFUL collocates WOMAN while HANDSOME collocates MAN.
• Thematic meaning is what is communicated by the way in which the message is organized in terms of order, focus, and emphasis. For example,
(10)The MNC Group donated insurance to Oktavianus Maniani
as the best player of the year.
(11)Oktavianus Maniani was donated insurance by The MNC
Group as the best player of the year.
It is often felt that an active sentence such as (10) has a different meaning from its passive equivalent (11), although in conceptual content they seem to be the same.
In this thesis, the writer used theory of meaning in general based on Siregar (1922) said. There are two kinds of meaning in semantics; they are Linguistic meaning and Speaker meaning. Linguistic meaning is meaning of expression in some form of the language. The linguistics meaning is determined by the meaning of its constituents and their grammatical relations.
For example :
- Be careful of a sharp bend in the road - Please don’t bend this paper
In those examples, the bend has more than one linguistics meaning based on the dictionary.
Speaker meaning is what a speaker means in producing an utterance. It consists of literal meaning and non-literal meaning. When we speak clearly without any interpretation from the hearer, it is called literal meaning. By using literal meaning, it is not difficult to understand what the speaker means by saying the words. To make it clear, they constructed as follows:
- We are English Literature Student
- Would you help me, please ?
- I am finishing my thesis now
- How are you ?
2.2.3 Sense and Reference
Words other than proper names both have a meaning and can be used to refer to things or objects. The reference of a word is the object designated, while the sense of a word is the additional meaning. On the other hand Palmer (1976:30) defined reference and sense as follows:
“Reference deals with the relationship between the linguistics elements, words, sentence, etc. And the non-linguistics world of experience. Sense relates to the complex system of relationships that hold between linguistics elements themselves (mostly the words); it is concerned only with intra-linguistics relaions.”
Reference is the relation between words and entities which is being talked about in the world of experience. For example, the word ‘sunglasses’ has a certain meaning, an outer covering eye from the sunshine, typically made of plastic. In addition, the word ‘sunglasses’ also posseses a characteristic which is known as “reference”, that is the ability of the word ‘sunglasses’ to refer to a certain kind of protective item for eye.
Sense relationships also form an important part of the study of a language. A word or lexeme does not merely ‘have’ meaning; it contributes to the meaning of the larger unti, a phrase, clause or sentence. For example, the sense of the word ‘library’ in these two following examples is different:
• VJ. Daniel always checks his wardrobe. (wardrobe means a collection of dresses)
The difference between sense and reference can be described from what Hurford (1980) states :
“Every expression that has meaning has sense, but not every expression has reference”
The explanation from statement above is by these examples; ‘I love rose ’ and ‘I love Rose’. From the examples above, both examples refer to a certain thing. Although they have the same sentence, but actually the sense is different. The phrase ‘I love rose’ describes ‘rose is one kind of flower’ and ‘I love Rose’ describes ‘Rose as a name of certain girl’.
The referent of an expression is often a thing or person in the world. Whereas the sense of an expression is not a thing at all. The sense of expression is an abstraction, but it is helpful to note that it is an abstraction that can be entertained in the mind of language user.
2.3 Goals of Semantic Theory
There are two question which must be answered concerning with the goals of semantics theory; what should a semantics theory do and how should it do it?
A semantics theory should attribute to each expression in the language which the semantics properties and relations. The answer to the second question is that a semantics theory should have at least two kinds of constraints:
b. A semantics theory of natural language should reflect the fact, except for idioms, expressions are compositional. This means that their meaning is determined by the meaning of its constituents and their grammatical relations.
2.4 Figurative Expressions
2.4.1 Definition of Figurative Expressions
As had described above, there are two kinds of meaning in speaker point of view. They are literal meaning and non-literal meaning. In this thesis, the writer just takes the literal aspect as the main object. One way of speaking non-literally is figure of speech or figurative expressions. Bekson and Ganz (1957:80) stated, “Figurative language is language which makes use of certain devices called ‘figure of speech’, most of which are techniques for comparing dissimilar objects, to achieve effects beyond the range of literal language”.
Figurative expression is a rhetorical form of how to use words in speaking or writing to convince or persuade the audience. Figurative expressions are used to assure, persuade, motivate, encourage and fascinate the audience. It is a powerful rhetoric tool to clarify meaning, to provide vivid examples, to emphasize ideas, to stimulate associations and emotions, to ornament sentences and to amuse audience.
Figurative language serves to make ideas and meanings more vivid and alive. For example,
•Her feelings were all ‘bottled up’. It means that they were kept under control.
•At the end of the year, the fabric gives the ‘fruits’ of labor to all the employees. The ‘fruit’ refers to the profit, reward, or result of hard work.
•Looking at his man have dinner with another girl, she becomes ‘green with envy’. It means that she is so jealous.
2.4.2 Kinds of Figurative Expressions
There are more than 10 kinds of figurative expressions but the types that are going to be explained are metaphor, personification, hyperbole, metonymy, synecdoche, simile, and irony.
2.4.2.1 Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech in which a name or quality is attributed to something to which it is not literally applicable. (New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus:628).
According to Tracey (1980:64), “metaphor is the use of words to indicate something different from the literal meanings”.
The word metaphor was derived from Greek word; metaphora meaning ‘transfer, carry over’. It is a derivation from meta meaning ‘over, across’ and pherein meaning ‘to carry’. From those definitions above, the writer come to the
Let us see some examples of metaphor to explain the definition above: The boy weighed a ton.
This sentence does not mean that the boy has the weight 1 ton. It is impossible for a boy, or even for human being has a weight upper to 1000 kilograms. The sentence means that the boy is so fat. It’s so heavy to pick him up.
They are withered yellow flowers
The metaphorical meaning of phrase withered yellow flowers is an analogy to its literal meaning ‘flowers that can not grow well because they are almost dead’. So, the metaphorical meaning of this sentence is that they can not develop their career or life because it is so difficult.
2.4.2.2 Personification
As Shaw (1972:283) said, “Personification is a figure of speech in whish abstraction, animals, ideas, and inanimate objects are having human form, character, traits or sensibilities.” It means that personification is the treating of an abstract quality of thing as if it had human qualities. It is a representation of a thing or abstraction in the format of person.
For example, “The leaves danced when the wind blew”. Literally, the sentence means that the leaves move up and doing human activities. Figuratively, the sentence means that the leaves sway when the wind blew.
activity. Figuratively, the sentence is an idiom means that the supper or eating activity runs well and all the menus are eaten.
2.4.2.3 Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech which greatly exaggerates the truth. (New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus: 476).
The word hyperbole derived from Greek language, that is hyper means ‘over’ and ballien means ‘to throw’. In other words means that hyperbole wants to emphasize a point with a statement which containing overstatements. The speaker usually speaks exaggerative because he wants to emphasize something. For example, “Her crying is heard until to the seventh sky”, it seems impossible for someone’s crying sound is heard until the seventh sky. At last, to be heard by all around this world, is quite impossible. We called it exaggeration. The emphasis is very strong so the language is out of the truth, It means the speaker does not mean what the words mean.
Another example of hyperbole, “I have not seen him for centuries.” Literally, the sentence means that the person has a long life until his age 100 years old. The sentence exaggerates the feeling of a person toward his friends. Figuratively, it means that the person really lose his friend for a long time.
2.4.2.4 Metonymy
from what Eco (1982:91) said, “Metonymy is the substitution of two terms for each other according to a relation of contiguity”. For example, ‘white house’ may refer to America; ‘cendana family’ may remind us to Soeharto.
The following examples will explain the definitions above, here they are:
•Most of the people in Indonesia tried to put away the red shirt
• Let’s call 911
The phrase red shirt in the first sentence has a speaker meaning. Red shirt
refers to PDI party. PDI party is identical with red. The right interpretation for this sentence is to put away the PDI party. The phrase 911 refers to the public service call for American people. If we need a help or if we are in emergency we can call this number.
2.4.2.5 Synecdoche
In this point, we need to remember that synecdoche and metonymy is two different terms. The distinction is that in metonymy, the exchange is made between two related nouns, while in synecdoche, the exchange is made between two related ideas.
2.5.2.6 Simile
Simile is a word or phrase that compares something to something other, using the word like or as (Oxford English Learner’s :1199). In simile, a comparison is made between two different objects which have at least one similar characteristics. The word simile comes from the same Latin word simile, which means ‘like’.
What we have to remember that simile compares two unlike objects like metaphor but with the presence of like or as, unlike metaphor, there is no word like or as. To make it clear, here are the examples:
• He runs like a leopard
• Cat’s eyes are like marbles
The first sentence ‘runs like a leopard’ is our focus. As we know, when a leopard runs, it is very fast. Therefore, it is well-known as the fastest animal in the world in running. So the speaker means that he runs so fast. The next sentence does not means that ‘cat’s eyes’ and ‘marbles’ are really alike, but the glassy shine of cat’s eyes reminds of the glassy shine of the marbles.
are literal not figurative. A simile must compare two basically unlike things that are found to be alike.
2.4.2.7 Irony
Irony is a figurative expression which expresses something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. Gray (1984:108) stated, “Irony is a manner of speaking or writing that is dispread through all kinds of literature. Irony consists of saying one thing while it means another.” Irony is a way of speaking or writing in which what is meant is contrary to what the words appear to say.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
One of the essential parts in scientific research in analyzing the data is to have a method of analysis. In this thesis the writer apply library research which using written information to support the analysis. As the main object of the analysis, the writer will take the sentences and utterances from the Holy Bible book Matthew which contains the figurative expressions.
There are some steps which will be taken in doing the analysis. First, the writer will collect the data that is the sentences and utterances that contain figurative expressions in The Holy Bible book Matthew. Then the second step, the writer will analyze the data based on the semantics theory. Finally, the writer will make a general conclusion from the analysis.
3.1 Research Design
3.2Data Collecting Method
Arikunto (2002:102) states that population is the whole number of the subjects or people under observation in a research. The population of this analysis is the sentences and utterances from The Holy Bible book Matthew in New International Version published by International Bible Society (1984) and the writer will take some sentences and utterances as the data by applying purposive sample method. Sutrisno, (2004:91), said, “dalam purposive sampling, pemilihan
sekelompok subjek didasarkan pada ciri-ciri atau sifat sifat populasi yang sudah
diketahui sebelumnya. Purposive sampling didasarkan atas informasi yang
mendahului tentang populasi dan informasi ini tidak dapat diragukan lagi.”
Some sentences and utterances that will become the data will give the example of figurative expressions and become the analysis.
3.3 Data Analyzing Method.
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
The data analyzed based on figurative expressions, they are metaphor, personification, hyperbole, metonymy, synecdoche, simile, and irony. The analysis carried out by describing both literal and non-literal meaning. The source of the data to be analyzed is found from the Holy Bible: Matthew.
4.1 Data Findings
The data findings are as follows: 1) Matthew 2:6
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be shepherd of my people Israel.
2) Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 3) Matthew 3:9
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
4) Matthew 3:12
5) Matthew 3:16
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
6) Matthew 4:16
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
7) Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
8) Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 9) Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 10) Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
11) Matthew 5:14
12) Matthew 5: 18
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
13) Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
14) Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
15)Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
16) Matthew 5:40
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.
17) Matthew 5:46
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
18) Matthew 5:47
19) Matthew 6:2
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 20) Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
21) Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
22) Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 23) Matthew 6:17
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 24) Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 25) Matthew 6:22
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy your whole body will be full of light.
26) Matthew 6:23
27) Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
28) Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
29) Matthew 6:28
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
30) Matthew 7:3
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
31) Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
32) Matthew 7:13
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
33)Matthew 7:15
34) Matthew 7:16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?
35) Matthew 8:12
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
36) Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
37) Matthew 9:2
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
38) Matthew 9:5
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
39) Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
40) Matthew 9:36
41) Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
42) Matthew 10:16
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
43) Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
44) Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 45)Matthew 10:34
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
46) Matthew 10:38
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
47) Matthew 12:33
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
48) Matthew 10:40
49) Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
50) Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
51)Matthew 13:31
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
52) Matthew 13:33
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty poundsof flour until it worked all through the dough.”
53) Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
54) Matthew 13:45
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
55)Matthew 13:47
56)Matthew 16:23
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
57) Matthew 17:2
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
58) Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
59) Matthew 17:22
When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.
60) Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me— to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
61) Matthew 18:9
62) Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
63) Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 64) Matthew 21:16
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
65)Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 66) Matthew 22:30
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
67) Matthew 22:44
‘‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”
69) Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 70) Matthew 24:27
For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
71)Matthew 25:33
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 72) Matthew 26:26
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
73) Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
74) Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
75)Matthew 27:6
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
76) Matthew 28:3
4.2 Analysis
Metaphor
1) Matthew 2:6
But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among
the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be
shepherd of my people Israel.
The data (1) shows us that the writer uses the word ‘shepherd’ as a metaphor. According to oxford dictionary, the meaning of ‘shepherd’ is a person whose job is to take care of sheep. In this sentence, Israel belongs to the sheep (kind of animals which do all what the others are doing) and Bethlehem is compared with the shepherd. According to Old Testament, Bethlehem is considered as the unimportant thing, but in Matthew, Bethlehem is expected being something that could take care of people Israel because Israel is the elected people by God. In this case, Bethlehem could be as the good example for Israel and could bring them into the better way, like the shepherd do for his sheep, for God loved them so. In conclusion, this verse can be classified as a kind of metaphor for Bethlehem is compared with the shepherd.
2) Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
writer conclude that data (2) is classified into metaphor since ‘fruit’ compare with behavior.
3) Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with
unquenchable fire.
Data (4) shows us a kind of metaphor that there is a thing symbolized with the other, in this case, the activity which described in the sentence above. The verse tells us about the activity when the time of harvest comes. As we know, when harvest is coming, the farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. The wheat will put into the barn and the chaff will be burned. This activity is symbolized to the judgment day. The farmer belongs to God who will distinguish the blessed people from unblessed ones. The blessed people will enter the heaven, while the others will throw into the hell.
4) Matthew 4:16
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in
the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
there is God in our heart, or in other words mean that if we keep in faith in God, we will not be suffer or hopeless.
5) Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Why the writer classified data (8) into metaphor is because the word ‘fisher’ in this sentence is not put in literal terms. According to oxford dictionary, the meaning of ‘fisher’ is a person who catches fish from water, either as a job or as a sport. So literally, it means that Jesus want his disciples to catch men from water. But figuratively, fisher of men means someone who brings other people to follow the way of God.
6) Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
7) Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it
be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be
thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Data (11) is classified as metaphor since the sentence used ‘salt’ as a kind of symbol. As we know salt is one of the most important spices in food. The taste of salt never lying. Without putting salt into the food, the food will not tasty. That is why the taste of food depends on the salt. So if salt loses its saltiness, people will not use it again as their spices even they will let it be on the sea. When we apply the description of salt to human life, people are expected to be like the salt. We should being honest in both life and words to everyone, so people will respect on us, because the society depends on us.
8) Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
9) Matthew 5: 18
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest
letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the
Law until everything is accomplished.
Data (13) show to us a kind of metaphor that there are three things symbolized with other. According to The New Bible Commentary, ‘the smallest letter’ belongs to iota; a kind of Hebrew’s letter. That is a letter which might be missed often. The phrase ‘the stroke a pen’ belongs to the smallest line using in Hebrew. It was same with iota which might be missed. Both of them are symbol of the unimportant thing in the world. This verse figuratively means that there is nothing, even the smallest thing that had written in Old Testament, will be missed until all the fulfillment of God’s promise in Old Testament about the coming of the Son of God.
10)Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It
is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body
to be thrown into hell.
ourselves fall into a sin. In simply words that if our eyes see a sin, do not let yourself go into the sin too.
11)Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it
away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your
whole body to go into hell.
Data (15) seems not different from the data before. The main meaning is the same. It is because these 2 verses relate to each other. The difference only focused on the used of symbol. Here, the verse used ‘right hand’ as a metaphor. Figuratively, ‘right hand’ is as a part of our body which becomes the one who did the bad things that come from the eyes. So in wider meaning, this verse teaches us make a boundary to get bad things in case not all of ourselves fall into a sin.
12)Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the
right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
13)Matthew 5:40
And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat
as well.
The data (17) is almost similar with the data (16). Both of them used metaphor to show the idea. Literally means that if someone need your shirt, just give your coat. The word ‘shirt’ for people Rome is a mean to repay debt. And the ‘coat’ is more prestige than a ‘shirt’ because more expensive. So in wider meaning, we should give more than what is a must. This is the symbol of helping others.
14)Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
15)Matthew 6:17
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
The word ‘oil’ in data (27) is a kind of symbol. According to oxford dictionary, oil is a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants, minerals, etc, and is used on the skin or hair. But as non-literally meaning, oil in this verse used as a mean to repair the hair becomes as before. In wider meaning, this verse explain when you fasting for something, it is better if there is none know that you are fasting. This means that we should not be arrogant to expose that we are fasting, but just behave simple. So in conclusion, the word ‘oil’ metaphorically becomes that symbol of ‘simplicity’.
16)Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you
do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to
pieces.
17) Matthew 7:13
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the
road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
The word ‘gate’ in the data (37) used as a kind of symbol. Literally gate means a door that is used to close an opening in a fence or a wall outside a building. There is comparison between two gates; narrow gate and wide gate. People logically prefer to choose a wider one with a thought it is easier. But the meaning is not as simple like that. Figuratively, there is a deep meaning within it. Many people prefer to take the easiest thing in their life though they do not know that it bring them into destruction. There is only a few who willing to take the way which is not easy to pass by but actually it brings us into real life, that is with God. In conclusion, the ‘gate’ symbolically is a way.
18)Matthew 7:16
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from
thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?
19)Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home
or town and shake the dust off your feet.
The phrase ‘shake the dust off your feet’ in the data (46) has a metaphor meaning. the word ‘dust’ is a kind of symbol. Literally, ‘dust’ means the fine powder of dirt’. So if we define the meaning of this verse, it means that when we are rejected in visiting to spread the gospel, we should shake off the dust from their feet. It is impossible if we think it logically. But figuratively, ‘dust’ is a sign of refusal. If none accept you or listen for what you said about gospel, God asked you to be patience by throw out your bad feeling about their refusal. It means that you can not force someone, just leave them and then find who are willing to receive yours.
20)Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in
your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
whispering. So, in conclusion, God wants us to do more that what He had done. He wants us to spread gospel wider than He had ever spread.
21)Matthew 10:34
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not
come to bring peace, but a sword.
The verse from data (50) used ‘sword’ as a symbol. According to oxford dictionary, ‘sword’ means a weapon with a long metal blade and a handle. It is used to make a part of something or killing something. If we interpret the data literally, it will be contrary if Jesus, whom known as Peaceful Maker, brings a sword to the world to make us into disruption and killing us. But figuratively, the meaning is that Jesus comes to this world to separate us from evil, because there have been so many people who against God’s word. So, Jesus used the ‘sword’ to emphasize His purpose of coming to this world.
22)Matthew 10:38
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
23)Matthew 10:40
“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me
welcomes the one who sent me.
In data (52) clearly shows to us there is a comparison within this verse. The word ‘welcomes’ belongs to be pleased of accept or receive something. The interpretation of this verse is that for those who are willing to listen the gospel from us, it means that he receive God in his life with pleasant. So here, the speaker, Jesus, is compared with a man (in this case is His disciples).
24)Matthew 12:33
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its
fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
25)Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For
out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
In data (53) we can draw an analysis as follow, according to Oxford dictionary that the meaning of the word ‘overflow’ is something to be so full that the contents go over the sides. If we interpret literally means that our heart is so full, so it came out from our mouth. As we know what could be come out from the mouth is food or water, so how comes a heart full of food or water and it came out from the mouth. But as non-literal meaning, it means that what we said is reflected from what we think. In conclusion, there are two things that are compared within this verse. First, ‘heart’ is compared with thinking; while ‘mouth’ is compared with utterance.
26) Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,
so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth.
27)Matthew 16:23
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a
stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but
merely human concerns.”
Data (62) shows us that the writer uses the phrase ‘stumbling block’ as a metaphor. Literally, ‘stumbling block’ means a stone or a block that against while you are walking or running and almost fall. Here, Peter is symbolized with stumbling block. It does not mean that Peter is a kind of thing which blocking Jesus when He walked. But figuratively, the data means that Peter is considered as an evil which is always preventing Work of Jesus in this world. So, the data clearly shows the used of metaphor.
28)Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to
stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung
around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
The phrase ‘a large millstone hung’ is a kind of symbol. In literal meaning, it means that it is a heavy thing to be carried. But when we interpret figuratively, the meaning will be that for those who bring children to the lost, he will get punishment from God and full of suffer in his life. So the phrase is to symbolize the measurement of suffering.
29) Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined
The data (68) gives a clear clue that it is a metaphor. There is a phrase ‘one flesh’ in this verse. If we consult the dictionary about the meaning of ‘flesh’, it has a meaning the soft substance between skin and bones of animal or human body. If we apply it to this verse, means that ‘two’ here is reflected skin and bones, which is united by flesh. So if it is said ‘they are no longer two, but one flesh’ means that they are united in Christ, like the unity of Christ and Christian, that is why they can not be separated by a man. Here, ‘they’ refers to a marriage couple.
30)Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when
the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will
also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Data (69), the phrase ‘glorious throne’ is a kind of symbol of God’s palace, where the Lord sit down and live to observe us. It symbolizes the place full of love; there is no hated minds and full of grace and mercy. When we consult Oxford dictionary, ‘throne’ means special chair used by a king or queen in official ceremonies. In conclusion, that is a precious place of the Lord, in where those who have followed Jesus will sit on it together with Him.
31) Matthew 21:16
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,”
replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘‘From the lips of children and
infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
‘children’ has characteristics that are innocent, simple, and like to adopt something. In this data ‘children’ is compared to characteristic of a man. So this verse means that God teaches us to be like a children who are thinking simple, likely to adopt God’s teaching, and do not worldly minded.
32) Matthew 22:44
‘‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your
enemies under your feet.”
33) Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone
here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
There is a sense of symbol usage in the data (75). Here in this verse, the stone means God’s creation that in this verse belongs to God’s temple. Figuratively, this verse means that all things in the world have sinned, even a God’s temple. It is because people who do not use the temple as the way it is, so when the end of the age, it will be thrown down. In conclusion, all things in the world are symbolized by the stone.
34) Matthew 25:33
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
35)Matthew 26:26
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my
body.”
The data (78) is clearly shows to us the used of metaphor. The word ‘bread’ compared with the body of Christ. Here, the bread which is used is ‘unleavened bread’. According to Oxford dictionary, that is a kind of bread which made without yeast and therefore flat and heavy. If we define this verse literally, means that the body of Christ is not sweet and flat and it can be broke and eaten by people. But on this occasion, semantically, it means that the bread is a sign that how suffer Jesus felt when He crucified, but He sacrificed Himself to save the people from sin. The reflection of ‘bread’ in human life is as a food to man’s soul as a remembrance of God.
36)Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins.
Matthew. So the whole verse means that God sacrificed Himself on a Cross to save people and all their sins are forgiven.
37)Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My
Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will,
but as you will.”
In data (80) we will find the word ‘cup’. Literally, a ‘cup’ means a mean that filled with water and used for drink. Figuratively, the word is a symbol. It symbolizes the condition which filled with suffering. Jesus wants the suffering and the dead do not come to Him. So we can conclude that the using of symbol ‘cup’ is a key of metaphor.
38)Matthew 27:6
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to
put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
39)Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar
was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.
“I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
When we read this data (82) seems there is no non-literal meaning. But if we look up the phrase ‘washed his hand’, it has figurative meaning within it. Literally, the phrase means to clean our hand with water. But on this occasion, it is a kind of symbol of Jews habitual. It is as a declaration that he did not want to take the responsibility. In other words mean that he want to relieve the sin. In conclusion, the phrase used metaphor; that is to compare the phrase with Jews habitual.
Personification
1) Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your
right hand is doing,
2) Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they?
The data (32) clearly shows us that the verse used personification. God used the ‘bird’ as an example of His teaching. In this verse said that the birds do not sow or reap or store away in barns. Literally, the word ‘sow’ or ‘reap’ is an activity of human being, in this case a farmer. So it is illogical if bird which only can fly or whistle, can also sow and reap. But figuratively, this verse means that the birds which can not do anything like us, could flying calmly without thinking what they will eat today because God will prepare the food from natural source for them. So, we as a human, should not worry about our life tomorrow because God will prepare all of our needs. From this explanation, clearly showed the used of personification.
3) Matthew 6:28
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin.
we as Human, God will care of us more. So why we should worry that God always supply what we need.
4) Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the
winds and the waves obey him!”
The clause ‘the winds and waves obey Him’ in the data (40) is personification. Winds and waves are neither a living thing nor human because according to Oxford dictionary, the word ‘winds’ means air that moves quickly as a result of natural forces and the word ‘wave’ means a raised line of water that moves across the surface of the sea, ocean, etc. but in this verse, waves and winds are acted like a human or animal that can obey something. So, the verse wants to emphasize how powerful God is , even He conquered the waves and the wind. The word ‘obey’ is the characteristic of human being, which means doing what someone’s said, in this case God.
5) Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice
from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased. Listen to him!”
Lord. Then the clause ‘a bright cloud covered them’ means that the place is full of shine of the Lord.
Hyperbole
1) Matthew 3:9
And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our
father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for
Abraham.
In the data (3) the clause “out of these stones God an raise up children of Abraham, there is a sense of exaggeration here, where a subject that is God can raise up the children of Abraham from the stone. Usually, it is impossible to create a living thing, in this case a man, from the stones. As we know, a man is born from human with blessing of God. So, this exaggeration is used to emphasize the power of God, to describe how powerful He is, that there is nothing impossible in God’s hand.
2) Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
3) Matthew 8:12
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the
darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In the data (39) in the last part of the sentence (“there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”) there is a sense of exaggeration. The literal meaning of the sentence is they who are arrogant will be thrown away to the place where they will just weeping and their teeth will gnashing. If we define it like that, seems that this verse is so extreme. But figuratively it means that those who are relying on own strength will not enter the heaven but they will go the hell. In this case hell is described as a place where we can only mourn and torture. This verse used exaggeration to get the extra effect beyond the reader, in this case to emphasize what terrible the hell is.
4) Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
5) Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not
only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this
mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
If we look at this verse, there is a used of hyperbole within this sentence. The verse said that if we tell the mountain to move, then it will move. This is illogical thing for us as a human. How can we move the mountain even only say it by words while to move the tree is a big question for us. But when we interpret figuratively then we can get the logic sense. It is to describe how powerful a faith. If we have a faith there is nothing that we can not do. This verse wants to emphasize that God wants us to have a strong faith in our soul.
6) Matthew 23:24
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
