Just Interpretin’ (Ain’t Talkin’ by Bob Dylan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to add this video, to my interpretation. This is awesome!!

Thanks Sonia!!

With so many parallels to the Passion of Christ (suffering, death and Resurrection) no wonder this song was instantly my favorite!

Here’s how I see it:

Verse 1 : The song starts out ” in the mystic garden” (Gethsemane) at night; it ends “in the garden” in the daytime with someone ( Mary Magdala) asking about the gardener, when His body wasn’t found (Jn. 20:15). 

Refrain: After His 33 years of life, would anyone know who He was?

Verse 2: Praying in the garden, He pleads for His mother (Mary) to pray for Him, who else would truly know who He was?! His humanity struggles as  He anticipates His suffering at the hand of “his neighbors.”

Refrain: His act of redemption, forces “you” to choose your destiny.

Verse 3 : As He continues to pray, we see the anxiety of the “take this cup from Me” prayer. His sleeping “opponents” are those (people and demons) who haven’t chosen God’s way, and His sacrifice “slaughters” the sting of death.

Refrain: ”The world mysterious and vague” and “cities of the plague” refer to the worlds overall falleness, and then specifically, to humanities sin.

Verse 4: Everyone “speculated” who this [Jesus] might be, but their “contemplation” was “torn away” by the Religious Leaders.

Refrain: “eatin’ hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town” since swine are unclean animals, the lowest of the low for a righteous Jew would be to eat pork, in this case, Jesus clothed in all humility(seems to let) the holiness of God to be trampled on by sinners.

Verse 5: “crush you with wealth and power. Every waking moment you could crack” speaks of Judas Iscariot.” one last extra hour” refers to Matt. 26:40, “So you could not keep watch with Me for one hour?” As His disciples slept while He prayed.”Avenge my fathers death when I step back”, reversing the curse brought on by humanities “father” Adam. Jesus “steps back” in time to redeem all humanity from sins past and bringing back spiritual life.

Refrain: “walkin’ cane” refers to the Holy Spirit, to help Him focus on the task at hand and not the circumstances around it.

Verse 6: refers to the 12 disciples (and His other faithful followers), the “faith that has been long abandon” is obedience, “to obey is better than sacrifice”(1 Sam. 15:22, Ps. 40: 7-9, Heb. 10:5-7) “no alters on this long and lonesome road.”

Refrain: “sick mule” is all this humility has left Him feeling sick, “blind horse” (His power) is harnessed by His humanity and the direction He’s going at this moment, He can’t see. The “gal” is His Bride(the Church), the Groom has to leave for now, but will return for Her soon.

Verse 7: He (Jesus) now sees a heavenly vision, maybe when an Angel ministered to Him in the garden( Lk. 22:43). “Who says I can’t get heavenly aid” points to Matt. 26:53.

Refrain: “carryin’ a dead mans seal” (the Cross) nothing said you were going to die better than carrying your own cross through town! And (I think) the coolest reference in the song; “walkin’ with a toothache in my heel” clearly refers to Gen.3:15,”He will strike at your head; while you strike at His heel.”

Verse 8: The pain and suffering and shame, hanging on the cross. He didn’t overstate His fear.

Refrain: “walkin’ ’till I’m clean out of sight” gives up His spirit (death) Jn.19:30.

Verse 9: As mentioned in verse1, Mary Magdala at the tomb.

Refrain: The Ascension and ultimately the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Blessed be God ; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever and ever!

Amen.