Animals of the Bible · Underground · Insects
The Gnat
The Gnat — a wonderful creature of Scripture and of the Bible world
Discovered in your collection
- Key verse
- Matthew 23:24
- Where it lived
- The “underground” habitat in the Bible lands: the valleys and hills of the Holy Land
- What it reminds us of
- The Gnat in Scripture
Stories from Scripture
The Gnat in the stories of the Bible
People of faith
The Gnat in Scripture
“Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” Jesus uses the tiny insect to rebuke hypocrisy: being overly careful about small details while forgetting love, mercy and justice.
Matthew 23:24The prophets and the wise
What the Bible teaches about the gnat
“Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.” The third plague of Egypt showed that no human power can stand before the Most High. (Some Bibles call these insects gnats.)
Exodus 8:16
Wonders of Creation
Did you know?
The tradition of the Pharisees was to strain drinks through fine cloth so that no one would swallow an unclean gnat; Jesus turned this habit into a lesson about a clean heart.
In Bible times, the gnat was part of the everyday scenery of the lands of the ancient East.
Every feature of this creature shows the order and care of the Creator for all the living things on earth.
From the Holy Scriptures
What do we read in the Bible about the gnat?
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.
What the gnat teaches us
The Gnat in Scripture
Jesus mentions the gnat to expose religious hypocrisy. God does not want only an outward keeping of small rules, but a clean heart full of love, mercy and faithfulness.
How we can live this out today
Look at nature and thank God for the care He gives to every creature, big or small!
Mini-Quiz
What did you learn about the gnat?
In which book of the Bible do we find references to the gnat?
For parents and children
At home and in Sunday school
A question for parents and children
What can we learn from the way God takes care of the animals in nature? How does the Bible show us His love for us?
“Lord, thank You for the wonderful world You made and for Your care every day. Teach me to love Your creation and to follow You with a thankful heart! Amen.”