Learning from Parables

What is a Parable:

The range of meaning of the term "parable" (Gk. parabole [parabolhv]) in the New Testament closely parallels that of the Hebrew masal [l;v'm] in the Old Testament and related Hebrew literature. As well as referring to narrative parables, the term identifies similitudes ( Matt 13:33 ; B. Pes. 49a), allegories ( Ezek 17:2 ; 24:3 ; Matthew 13:18 Matthew 13:24 Matthew 13:36 ), proverbs ( Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 1:6 ; Mark 3:23 ), riddles ( Psalm 78:2 ; Mark 7:17 ), and symbols or types ( Heb 9:9 ; B. Sanh. 92b ). "Parable" is a general term for a figurative saying.

The conceptual background for the concept of parable in the New Testament was Semitic, not Aristotelian Greek. This single insight could have saved the history of interpretation of the parables of Jesus from several key misconceptions. From Jülicher on, based on the Aristotelian Greek idea of parable as "pure comparison" conveying only a single point, there has been a significant school of interpretation that has regarded all allegorical traits as foreign to the parables of Jesus and has insisted that each parable has only one point. This narrow definition of parable has led interpreters to regard the allegorical interpretations of parables in the Gospel

Jesus Teaches a parable Matthew 13:1-9

Matthew 13:1–9 (ESV)

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Jesus Explains Why he teaches in Parables 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.

Jesus Explains The Parable Matthew 13:18-23

Matthew 13:18–23 ESV

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Jesus Explains This Parable Matthew 13:36-43

Jesus Taught in Parables to teach the revolutionary values of His Kingdom.

Counter Culture Values

It seemed good to the Greeks of Asia, in the opinion of the high priest Apollonius of Menophilus Azanitus: “Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance (excelled even our anticipations), surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good tidings [εὐαγγέλιον] for the world that came by reason of him,” which Asia resolved in Smyrna -Priene Calendar Inscription circa 9BC

Jesus rarely explained his parables.

Don’t fixate on the elements of the parables, but on the truth they represent.

Often times we are tempted to interpret parables via our own values and motives. We keep the fictional elements of the parable, but substitute in our own truth. The truth of the parable isn’t subjective, and most often we can ascertain the truth if we pay attention to the contextual clues surrounding the parable:

WHO: was Jesus talking to?

WHAT: had Jesus been teaching/doing before or after he taught this parable?

WHERE: did Jesus teach this parable?

WHEN: did Jesus teach this parable? Was it a holiday or special occasion?

Why: did Jesus teach this parable?

EXAMPLE: the parable of the “prodigal son” Luke 15:1-31

Luke 15:1–2 ESV

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

WHO: Jesus was speaking to sinners, tax collectors and the Pharisees.

WHAT: Jesus had been a guest of a Pharisee and treated poorly (Luke 14) and was now addressing sinners.

WHERE: The region of Perea “into the coasts of Judaea beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 19, Mark 10 Luke 9:51)

WHEN: On Jesus’ way to Jerusalem before his death, burial and resurrection

WHY: The Pharisees were grumbling about him teaching sinners.

So What would you say is the truth contained in this parable based on its context?

Challenge for the Week

Are your ears open to what Jesus wants to teach you, to hear and understand? Or are you trying to apply your own wisdom to what Jesus says? Let’s make sure we are planting the truth in good soil: allow Jesus’ teachings to transform us, instead of trying to transform Jesus’ teachings to suit ourselves, our situation, or our society.