Understanding the Parables

What is a Parable?

the word Parable comes from the Greek word Ballo, which means to throw or cast

the prefix is para - Which means beside or alongside

Put these two parts together it means to cast alongside each other. So what is being put together here?

on one side you have this world. In the parables, Jesus takes things that his hearers, first century Middle easterners were very familiar with. Fishing, planting crops, working in vineyards and so on. Stuff that these folks dealt with everyday.

alongside of something familiar like this, Jesus casts the kingdom of heaven.

1. The parables were meant to force people to decide about their attitude to Jesus and his message

R. V. G. Tasker and I. H. Marshall, “Parable,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 868.

Purpose of Parable

See Matthew 13:10-17

Matthew 13:10–17 ESV

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 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. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 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. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

To Conceal the Kingdom of God

the parables are judgment against the rebel

“even what he has will be taken away” vs. 12

to Reveal the Kingdom of God

to you, it has been given to know the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Interpretation

Allegorical Method

here you assign meaning to every part of the story give the example of Origen on the Prodigal Son.

Look at Origen in Historical Theology.

Parables teaching a Moral Concept or Kingdom Principle

this does not mean that there is no defining who main characters represent.

So, for example, In the Prodigal Son, Characters do represent specific people or groups. Without which, the message of the Parable is lost

PRINCIPLES FOR UNDERSTANDING PARABLES

Understand the social, historical and cultural context

it is hard to overemphasize the signficance of understanding Bible Backgrounds in order to fully understand the parables.

Discern the main point of the parable or main points. What is the parable aiming at?

usually, this can be determined by looking at the narrative directly around the parable.

Who is the Audience? Who is Jesus talking to when he tells the Parable?

knowing this information helps us to discern the point of the story

Look for repitition

identify some stock symbolism

for example: Father, judge, king, shepherd) things like that, will typically represent God in the story. Master. Let’s look at an example of this.

many parables, have a conclusion.

what is the conclustion given?