INTRODUCTION TO THE PARABLES

Mt. 13:10-17

Introduction:       This will be the beginning of a series of Sunday night lessons on the parables of Jesus, a study hopefully profitable as well as interesting to all of us.

This lesson is intended to provide some background material that is needed before we actually begin to study the parables themselves.

I.          Jesus, the Master Teacher

A.     “No man spake as this man.” (John 7:46)

B.     “The common people heard him gladly.” (Mk. 12:37)

C.     But, one characteristic of Jesus’ preaching and teaching was his teaching in parables.

1.     Other parables were spoken before (2 Sam. 12:l ff. the parable of the ewe lamb by Nathan to David.)

2.     However, when the word “parable” is mentioned, Jesus is the one who immediately comes to mind.

D.     Mt. 13:34

1.     “Without a parable spake he not unto them.”

2.     Fulfilled prophecy. Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in a parable:

I will utter dark sayings of old.” (comp. N.T. reading)

E.     Note the beauty of the parables.

F.     Note the effect of the parables

G.    Note the paradox of the parables

1.     Some are so simple the point is hard to be missed.

2.     Others take a great deal of study, and the context must be considered. Even the disciples needed special explanations at times. (Sower, Mt. 13:l8 ff; tares, Mt. 13:36 ff.)

II.         What Is a Parable?

A.     “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”

1.     Common definition, good as far as it goes.

2.     As we read the gospel records, there is no doubt that this definition helps us to identify the parables.

3.     Also, this definition helps show a purpose for the parables, namely, to present spiritual truths in earthly apparel.

4.     More is needed, however.

B.     The word “parable:”

1.     Gr. parabole — “1. a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition...2. metaph. a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude,...spec. a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and wages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God’s Kingdom, are figuratively portrayed...” (Thayer, p. 479).

C.     What a parable is not.

1.     A parable is not a fable, for a fable uses talking animals, or plants acting as humans, etc.; things that are not “agreeable with the laws and usages of human life.” Biblical example of a fable:

Jotham’s in Judges 9:7 ff.

2.     A parable is distinct from a myth, for a myth either consciously or unconsciously blends together the truth being symbolized with the outward symbol.

The parable separates the earthly and the heavenly.

3.       A parable is not the same as an allegory, for the allegory transfers the properties of one thing to another see (Gal. 4:22-31), while the parable contents itself in comparing one thing with another, not in every particular, but only in salient points.

III.        The Purpose of Parables

A.     To teach truth clearly.

1.     The Good Samaritan - Lk. 10:25 ff.  The point is unmistakable.

2.     The Wicked Husbandman - Lk. 20:9-19. The Pharisees “perceived that he spake this parable against them.”

B.     To conceal truth from those who would not receive it. (Mt. 13:10-17)

1.     Jesus had previously used a few parables that taught simple lessons (example: Mt. 7:24-27, The Two Builders.)

2.     Now, however, he begins to use one parable after another, and rather than being simple, easily understood stories, they are more complex.

3.     The disciples are not certain of the meaning of at least two of the parables in Mt. 13 (Sower and Tares), and they ask Jesus why he is teaching in parables.

4.     Jesus teaches a principle: (v.12) - “To him who hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”

a.     By this time, Jesus knew that many loathed him, and were deliberately looking to find fault with him.

b.     Such people had no “love for the truth” (2 Thess. 2:10).

c.     Jesus did not “cast pearls before swine” or “give that which is holy to the dogs” (Mt. 7:6); thus, he taught in parables which were difficult; those who desired truth asked for explanation.

d.     These could have seen and heard, but refused: “None so blind as he who will not see!”

5.     A summary:

a.     The parables veiled truth from the enemies of Jesus.

b.     The parables revealed truth to sincere seekers of truth.

c.     The parables served to further antagonize those who were of a disposition to reject Christ.

d.     The parables served to strengthen faith of disciples who “hungered and thirsted for righteousness.”

6.     A primary lesson, needed by all who approach the Scriptures, is the great responsibility of how we hear! See warning in Mt. 13:9,43.

!! IV.        The Profit of Parables

              A. Inspire a desire for deeper study of the word of God.

              B. Enable us to have a greater appreciation for Jesus as a teacher

              C. They add beauty of expression to our vocabulary, such as “pearl of great price,” “good Samaritan,” “prodigal Son,” etc.

  D. Evidence of genuineness of gospels: none of the apocryphal gospels contain parables!

Conclusion:  No wonder the common people heard him gladly, and the Pharisees hated him the more. The parables help us to understand the great difference in the people’s reaction to the Savior.