Sensus plenior

Sensus plenior is a Latin phrase that means "fuller sense." In biblical interpretation, it refers to a deeper meaning in Scripture intended by God, even if the human author was unaware of it. This deeper meaning is usually revealed through patterns, symbols, and structures that consistently point to Christ.

Unlike surface-level interpretations that focus on history, culture, or moral lessons, sensus plenior sees the entire Bible—especially the Old Testament—as speaking of Jesus, His cross, and His bride (the Church), often in hidden or symbolic ways. Every story, character, name, and even the structure of the text can carry a deeper Christ-centered message.

For example, the sacrifice of Isaac isn’t just about Abraham’s faith—it points to the Father offering His Son. The rock that Moses struck wasn’t just for water—it symbolized Christ struck for our sake.

Sensus plenior recognizes that God authored Scripture through human writers but layered it with divine meaning. These layers can be uncovered through consistent symbolic interpretation, especially using the meanings of Hebrew letters, word formations, and patterns that repeat throughout Scripture.

In short, sensus plenior is the spiritual reading of Scripture that reveals Christ as the center of all things.