Each of which seems to have been carefully, perhaps divinely, chosen to serve their literary purpose. .
In terms of use of hyperbole in the New Testament, there is one central figure who provides us with some of the most eloquent and recollective verses where his use of exaggeration seems so perfectly chosen that once understood, the images are forever with us. That person would be none other than Jesus.
"If your hand or your foot shall be your downfall, cut if off and throw it away: it is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame, then to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye shall be your downfall, tear it out and throw it away ." (Matt. 18:8-9).
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" (Matt. 23::33).
"Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "go throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." (Mark 11: 22-23).
"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 then turn and tear you to pieces." (Matt. 7:6).
"Why do you concentrate on the speck of dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?".
Any one of these verses, if interpreted literally, loses the true meaning that Jesus intended. Are we to believe that folks were throwing "pearls to pigs?" I don't think so. They were in the middle of the desert for one thing. I doubt there were many oysters around. What Jesus is trying to tell us is that his gifts to us of understanding, wisdom, exhortation, selflessness, etc. are to be protected and used wisely. He knows that it is futile to exhaust ourselves trying to convince another of the gifts and salvation of Christ if they have no intention of ever trying to "receive" the message.
