The “red part” of the Bible refers to the words spoken by Jesus Christ, which are traditionally printed in red ink in many editions of the Bible. The purpose of printing Christ’s words in red is to set them apart from the other text and highlight their importance and authority as the Son of God.
Why are Jesus’ words printed in red?
There are a few key reasons why Jesus’ words are traditionally printed in red ink:
– To distinguish his words from those of others: Printing Jesus’ words in a different color makes them stand out on the page. This allows readers to easily identify when Jesus is speaking.
– To emphasize their authority: As the Son of God, Jesus’ words carry special weight and authority. Red lettering is a way to visually underscore their divine significance.
– To highlight his role as teacher: Much of Jesus’ recorded words in the Gospels are him teaching his disciples and the crowds. Red lettering spotlights his critical role as rabbi and spiritual instructor.
– To facilitate study: Marking Jesus’ words in red makes them easy to find for study, meditation, or memorization. This can aid in analyzing and understanding his core teachings.
Which books and passages are printed in red?
The red lettering is found in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These contain nearly all the recorded words spoken by Jesus during his earthly ministry. Here are some key passages that traditionallly appear in red:
– The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
– Parables of Jesus (Matthew 13, Mark 4, etc.)
– The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
– The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25)
– Farewell discourses and prayer (John 14-17)
– Dialogues with the disciples (John 13-16)
– Conversations with spiritual leaders (Matthew 22, John 3)
– Interactions with crowds and individuals (Luke 7, John 4)
When did red letter Bibles originate?
The tradition of red letter Bibles began in 1899 with the first red letter New Testament published by Louis Klopsch, editor of the Christian Herald magazine. Klopsch got the idea from reading Luke 22:20 where Jesus says, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Inspired by this, Klopsch decided to print all of Jesus’ words in red to make them stand out.
In 1901, Klopsch then published a full Bible with the words of Jesus in red. This was the first red letter edition Bible. Since then, many major Bible publishers have adopted the red letter tradition, which remains popular today. Various styles use scarlet red, pinkish red, or reddish brown ink.
How widespread is the use of red letter Bibles today?
Red letter editions remain very popular and make up a significant portion of Bibles sold today. Among Protestant Christians, roughly half prefer a red letter edition Bible. Catholic Bibles and some study Bibles opt for all black text. But overall, red letter Bibles represent around 25% of all Bibles sold.
Many believers appreciate how the red letters help them locate Jesus’ words, highlight their importance, and gain insight into his life and teachings. Major publishers like Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, and Holman produce red letter Bibles in multiple translations like KJV, ESV, NIV, NASB, and more. While not universally used, red letter editions continue to hold an important place among Bible readers.
Do red letter Bibles have any drawbacks?
There are some potential downsides to the red letter approach that have been raised:
– It can give too much emphasis to Jesus’ words over other Bible text
– The red letters could imply Jesus’ words are more inspired or authoritative
– The red/black text separation can disrupt reading flow and context
– There are disputes over which words in the Gospels should be red
– It can distract from Christ’s fulfillment of all Scripture
– The color red has symbolic ties some find inappropriate for sacred text
– Jesus’ words represent God’s words, along with the rest of Bible text
To avoid these issues, some believe color-coding Jesus’ words is unnecessary or even problematic. Publishers like Thomas Nelson now offer Bibles combining red letters with other colored highlights. This allows readers to enjoy enhanced visibility of key passages without isolating Jesus’ words.
What are the key teachings found in Jesus’ red letter words?
Some of the core themes that emerge from the red letter texts of Jesus include:
– **Kingdom of God** – Jesus spoke extensively about the coming of God’s Kingdom, both in the present and future. He called people to prepare for it through repentance and faith.
– **Love** – Loving God and neighbor was foundational to Jesus’ message. He emphasized love’s self-sacrifice and its status as the greatest commandment.
– **Sin and forgiveness** – Jesus confronted sin but offered grace and forgiveness to the repentant. He taught the availability of forgiveness directly from God.
– **Eternal life** – Jesus highlighted the realities of heaven and hell and pressed the urgency of spiritual rebirth to enter God’s Kingdom. Eternal life begins now by faith in Christ.
– **Servanthood** – Jesus exemplified servant leadership and exhorted his followers to humble themselves as servants of all.
– **Obedience to God** – Doing God’s will was integral to Jesus’ life and mission. He called all people to submit to and obey God’s commands.
– **Unity of Scripture** – Jesus affirmed the divine inspiration of the Old Testament and cited it authoritatively. He declared that he came to fulfill the Law and Prophets, not abolish them.
Notable quotes of Jesus in red letters
Here are some especially memorable red letter statements of Jesus:
– *”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)*
– *”I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)*
– *”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)*
– *”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37–38)*
– *”I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)*
– *”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)*
– *”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)*
– *”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)*
Conclusion
The red letters in many Bibles offers a visual way to identify and reflect on the words of Jesus. While not universally used or essential, red letter editions remain popular for their ability to highlight Christ’s voice, teachings, and centrality in Scripture. Approached thoughtfully, the red letters can provide meaningful devotional value in pointing to Jesus as Lord and Savior. They serve as an enduring reminder for Christians to listen to and obey his life-giving words.
| Book | Key Red Letter Passages |
|---|---|
| Matthew | Sermon on the Mount, Parables Discourse, Olivet Discourse |
| Mark | Parables Discourse, Eschatological Discourse |
| Luke | Sermon on Plain, Parables, Final Teachings |
| John | Farewell Discourses, “I Am” Statements |