BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS

Rationale: The Bible is an integral part of the international literary canon. As readers and interpreters of literature,
our knowledge of The Bible furthers our understanding of the authors’ underlying themes and artistic construct of
the literary pieces we encounter in IB English. For this reason, a broad study of biblical allusions is the focus of
this unit. Bible passages should be read with a literary, not a religious, perspective.

ALLUSION LOCATION
OLD TESTAMENT ALLUSIONS 20 topics
Creation Story Genesis 1, 2
Fall of Man, Cain and Abel, East of Eden Genesis 3; 4:1-16
The Flood Genesis 6-9
The Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9
Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and His Wife Genesis 18, 19
Abraham, Sarah and Isaac Genesis 21, 22
Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael Genesis 16, 21
Isaac, Jacob and Esau Genesis 25, 27
Joseph, Coat of Many Colors Genesis 37-46
Moses, Bush, Plagues, Passover, Red Sea Exodus 2-15
The Ten Commandments, Golden Calf Exodus 20: 1-17; Exodus 32
Samson and Delilah Judges 16:16
David and Goliath I Samuel 17
David, Bathsheba, Absalom II Samuel 11, 12
King Solomon’s Wisdom I Kings 3
Patience of Job Job 1, 2, 3; 40, 41, 42
Shadow of Death Psalm 23
Seven Deadly Sins Proverbs 6: 6-19
Daniel and the Lions’ Den Daniel 2-6
Jonah and the Whale Jonah 1, 2

NEW TESTAMENT ALLUSIONS 18 topics

The Nativity Matthew 1, Luke 2
The Sermon on the Mount, Beatitudes, Matthew 5: 3- 7:27 Matthew 5: 1-12
The Blind Leading the Blind Luke 6: 39-42
John The Baptist Head on a Platter Matthew 14: 1-12
Walk on Water, Peter Walks Fifth Miracle Matthew 14
Loaves and Fishes “Feeding the 5,000” Matthew 14: 13-21
Fourth Miracle
The Good Samaritan Parable Luke 11: 29-38
The Prodigal Son Parable Luke 15: 11-32
Water Into Wine First Miracle John 2
Cast the First Stone John 8
Lazarus Seventh Miracle John 11
The Last Supper John 13, Mark 14
Betrayal Judas/Silver Coins Matthew 25, 26: 14-16; 27; Mark 14, Luke 22
Denial Peter Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18
Gethsemane/ Temptation of Christ Mark 14: 32-42; Matthew 26
Golgotha
The Crucifixion
Pentecost
The Resurrection, Doubting Thomas, 3 days
Revelation Four Horsemen
Revelation Seven Seals
Gates of Pearl, Streets of Gold
Mark 15: 22, Matthew 27:33, John 19: 17
Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19
Acts 1, 2
Luke 24, John 20, 21
The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation
Revelation 21

EXTRA CREDIT TOPICS 6 topics New Testament Locations

Fall of a Sparrow Matthew 10: 27-31

Rich Man/Camel &Touch Garment Parable Matthew 19: 16-26; Mark 5; Luke 16: 19-31
Two Foundations Parable Luke 6: 46-49
Parable of the Soils Luke 8: 4-15
Parable of the Lost Sheep Luke 15: 1-7
Render Unto Caesar Luke 20: 19-26