Are Butterflies in the Bible?

We will answer the question are butterflies in the bible? Is there butterfly bible verses? And what can I learn from these beautiful creatures.

Butterflies are one of the most admired insects. Unlike those other bugs that bite, sting, creep and crawl. No, thank you… pass. Especially on the wasps!

I remember going to the San Diego Wild Animal Park during their Butterfly Jungle Exhibit. It was such a wonderful experience entering the exhibit and being surrounded by BEAUTIFUL and exotic butterflies of the world.

There was a photo contest during the exhibit and I actually won first place with this photo.

I’ll spread out some pictures of the butterflies throughout my post! It was such a neat experience. If you are ever in the San Diego area during spring…go check it out!

Anyways, back to the Bible and butterflies!

Butterflies In The Bible

I recently saw the phrase Butterflies in the Bible. And I paused a moment and had to really think. Where in the Bible have I read about butterflies? Then it hit me…. I haven’t!

Ok, wait ….can I recall any Bible verses about butterflies? Nope. At least nothing from the top of my head.

This threw me for a loop since we use the analogy of a butterfly all the time as Christians. We hear it in sermons, see it in religious art, and we even give prophetic and encouraging words and mention “God is transforming us like a butterfly.“

That’s when I decided to DIG deeper into Bible about this topic.

What Are Some Bible Verses About Butterflies?

Brace yourself for some butterfly scriptures! Oh, wait, not gonna happen. Sad face.

I went and checked my Accordance Bible Study Software (check out more cool Bible Study Software here) and it kept dinging me as I searched for butterflies. Basically, it was yelling at me…”NO, MELISSA…NO BUTTERFLIES IN THE BIBLE FOR YOU.”

Ok…so then I decided to check Bible Gateway and a few different Bible translations. And nope…no butterfly scriptures.

So, why is it that we use butterflies so much to describe our transformation in Christ? Sure we can take it at face value.

Caterpillar	Transformation	A Beautiful Butterfly
Dead in Sin	Transformation	Alive in Christ. A New Creation

That alone makes butterflies a fantastic analogy for us becoming a new creation in Christ. But it goes so much deeper…

What is the Meaning of Butterflies in the Bible?

Since we now know that the word butterfly isn’t in the Bible. That means we can’t get a cut and dry Hebrew or Greek meaning there.

But what is fascinating is that the scientific word for a butterfly’s transformation is Metamorphosis.

In Romans 12:2 we read…

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

That word transformed in the Greek is metamorphóō. Which is where we get our modern word metamorphosis (source)

STRONGS CONCORDANCE – Metamorphóō – μεταμορφόω met-am-or-fo’-o; from G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively, “metamorphose”):—change, transfigure, transform.

Here is the cool part. It wasn’t till the 1660’s that metamorphosis was used to describe a butterfly (or other insects) transformation. Meaning that the Bible and Greek’s understanding of radical transformation was used to describe the butterfly’s change. Not the other way around…

But it’s not just Roman’s 12:2. We see this word used another 3 times in the Bible.

• Jesus’s Transfiguration – Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2
• Our Transformation – 2 Corinthians 3:18

I love how our transformation is used as the same transformation that Jesus experienced on the Mount of Transfiguration. Talk about powerful!

Our transformation in Christ is like that of a butterfly’s and at the same time, it’s nothing like it at all.

Our transformation from a new creation ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) is just one part or should I say one cacoon we go through. We are constantly being transformed…

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

We are going from glory to glory… a butterfly changes once and dies. We change continually and are full of life. Hallelujah!!

   “The same Jesus Who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. He is still in the miracle-working business, and His business is the business of transformation.”

Adrian Pierce Rogers

So, is there a symbolic or spiritual meaning to butterflies?

I would say in a lot of ways yes. They can symbolize our salvation and becoming born again. They can also symbolize seasons of our life where God is bringing transformation.

For more on the symbolism – please check out my article Butterflies in Dreams.

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I hope you have enjoyed this little look into butterflies and scripture. It’s amazing what God will show us if we dig a little and seek Him.

If you like to read some fun inspirational quotes on butterflies and transformation then please click the link highlighted. If you would like to read more stuff on Jesus and the Bible than check out my Faith Page.

Feel free to leave me a comment below. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life.