Heb.9 [27] And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment

This verse is often cited as discounting reincarnation, and can easily appear to do so at face value. However, on closer inspection, it can be noted that the term "man" refers to the unique combination of the spirit (or "soul") and the physical body itself. In reincarnational thought, a man from one life is not the same man as from his previous life, as only an aspect of the spirit is common to both - and certainly not the physical body. Hence with reincarnation, men do in fact only die once, then when they return, they return as different men (or women) with a completely new physical body. So this verse is in fact quite compatible with reincarnation when viewed in the strictest possible sense - as it is only the soul which does not die.

Psa.78 [39] He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return

Here as with the previous verse, the flesh component of a human would never return in the case of reincarnation, hence this line does not preclude the concept either.

Moreover, Jesus plainly stated that the general masses (unlike the disciples) were simply not ready for all the mysteries to be imparted to them, and probably never would be:

Matthew 13
[10] Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
[11] And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
[12] For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
[13] This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
[14] With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 'You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive'.

Verses mentioning the return of Elijah

The most significant mention by far is when Jesus announced that John the Baptist was Elijah, which is highly significant as it was foretold in the Old Testament that Elijah would precede the messiah.

Note that Malachi said:

Malachi 4
[5] "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes".

Not someone like Elijah, or someone inspired by Elijah - as many people claim - but Elijah himself. And then John denies he is Elijah when people ask who he is. (If there were no reincarnation then why would they even ask, one wonders?) John denied being Elijah (below) because he was not aware of the fact. However Jesus later confirms that he was indeed Elijah.

And that's exactly how reincarnation is often described as working: the more advanced mystics can see who a person was in previous incarnations, the lesser mortals (even ones as great as John the Baptist) mostly don't.

Note that Malachi also says that God would send Elijah - and the New Testament confirms that John was this same man, sent from God....

John 1
[06] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
...
[21] And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No."
So John claims he is definitely not Elijah.

But Jesus disagrees:

Matthew 11
[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;
[14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
[15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear.


Obviously, many people are not "willing to accept it". Note that the point is stressed as being difficult one to accept, and its significance is further stressed by verse [15].

Parable of the talents

One parable that many people have found very difficult to understand is the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25
[14] For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
[15] To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
[16] Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.
[17] In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.
[18] But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
[19] Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
[20] The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, "Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents."
[21] His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."
[22] Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, "Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents."
[23] His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."
[24] And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, "Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.
[25] "And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours."
[26] But his master answered and said to him, "You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.
[27] "Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.
[28] "Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents."
[29] For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
[30] Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


It is highly unlikely that it is to be taken literally (the talent was a unit of currency), as Jesus's preachings are non-materialistic. If as most see it, it is referring to what we make of our sojourn on earth, then what is the point of it?

As mainstream Christianity promises, the good believers will end up spending eternity in heaven. However this parable perplexingly speaks of misery for those who do not make the most out of the "talents" they are provided with - even, in the case of the unfortunate servant, if they only mean to do the right thing.

Reincarnationists easily resolve this issue as the lesson appears to relate directly to the idea that in each incarnation we have to learn lessons and evolve upwards in terms of knowledge and experience. If we simply stagnate and let our "talents" (i.e. skills and opportunities) go to waste, we run the great risk of returning much worse off in our next incarnation.

Matt 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Many Christians find this verse hard to fathom, as meek people certainly often inherit little during their lifetime. And if they are to spent eternity in heaven, then this inheritance is even less likely. However if they are to return in another incarnation, it becomes quite possible to understand. (Though whether there is such a reincarnation pattern where meek people are rewarded in such a way can only be speculated upon.)

Matt 26:52 "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword"

Another difficult verse for mainstream Christians, for as we know this is often not the case at all in reality - many soldiers who have killed people in battle quite often die peacefully of old age. However with reincarnation, this can be viewed as a powerful statement of how karma can work across incarnations.

Luke 9:18 "Who do the people say that I am?"

Luke 19
[18] Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?"
[19] And they answered, "John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen."


Why would anyone say that Jesus might be any of these people from the past, unless reincarnation were possible? This passage strongly suggests that the general populace of the time did not think reincarnation inconceivable, especially if they thought that an "old prophet" could rise again by being reborn into a new body...

Just as interesting is the terminology used - in this instance, "risen" is used here specifically to mean "reborn".

John 3 "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."