A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whereas parables have human characters. A parable is a type of analogy.
Some of the most famous parables are those that Jesus used in the gospels. According to the Cambridge Bible Commentary, “The parables of Jesus seek to draw the hearer into the eternal world of the Kingdom of God which Christ came to proclaim.” Christ’s parables often feature comparisons to help convey his message, such as in the Parable of the Sower which compares the Kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seeds. The meaning of Jesus’ parables was not always readily apparent to all listeners. His disciples often questioned him about the meaning of parables such as the Parable of the Sower. Jesus explained that he used parables to encourage those who were spiritually receptive while hiding the meaning from unbelievers.
The etymology of the word “parable” comes from the Greek word “parabole” which means “comparison, analogy, parallel.” A parable makes a theological, moral, or spiritual point by comparing two things in a short analogy or story. The important meaning behind the simple story is what matters. That’s why Jesus used parables – to convey profound spiritual messages in plain illustrations that anyone could understand if their heart was open.
There are several examples of parables in the Old Testament as well. The prophet Nathan told King David a parable about a rich man taking a poor man’s pet lamb rather than taking from his own flock. This parable was meant to convict David and expose his sin of taking Bathsheba from her husband Uriah. The story immediately caused David to recognize his guilt. Other Old Testament examples of parables include Balaam’s prophecy using a parable about a lion, and the prophet Ezekiel using the parable of the boiling pot to symbolize Jerusalem’s coming judgment.
In summary, a parable is a brief, succinct story that uses familiar imagery to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The purpose of a parable is to get the listener to arrive at the meaning on their own, rather than having it explicitly told to them. Jesus frequently used parables as a teaching tool because the stories could be understood by anyone, yet revealed deeper meaning upon reflection. His parables used imagery from everyday life like farming, fishing, or shepherding to convey timeless spiritual truths.
Here are some key characteristics that define parables:
- Brief stories that are typically told in order to teach a moral or spiritual lesson
- Use metaphors and symbolism to make comparisons with spiritual meanings
- Jesus used parables frequently in the gospels
- The purpose is to get people to arrive at the meaning on their own
- Imagery is taken from everyday occurrences and activities
- The stories illustrate virtuous principles and conduct
Parables are memorable stories that provoke insight, self-reflection, and convey profound spiritual truth in simple forms. Jesus’ parables contain timeless wisdom accessible to all who have ears to hear. Though short in length, parables have the power to arrest our attention, expand our imagination, and transform our hearts.
Examples of Parables in the Bible
The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15)
In this well-known parable, Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a farmer sowing seeds. Some seeds fell on the path and were devoured by birds, some fell on rocky ground and withered in the sun, some fell in thorns and were choked. But some seeds fell on good soil and produced abundant fruit. Jesus later explained that the seed represents the Word of God, and the soils represent different responses to hearing God’s message.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
This parable contrasts a selfish younger son who squanders his inheritance but is welcomed back by his compassionate father, with an older son who resents his brother being accepted after his shameful behavior. The father’s overflowing grace illustrates the forgiveness God offers to those who turn back to him in repentance.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Jesus told this parable in response to the question “Who is my neighbor?” A man is robbed and left for dead by the side of the road. Two religious leaders fail to help him but a Samaritan man (despised by the Jews) stops to help him. Jesus reveals our neighbors are anyone in need, and we should show mercy as the Samaritan did.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7)
A shepherd leaves his 99 sheep to search for one lost sheep. Jesus compares God’s love to the caring shepherd, not willing to lose even one person. This shows the depth of God’s love for those who are lost in sin.
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
A master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (talents) before leaving on a trip. Two servants invest and double the money, but one buries the money. The master rewards the productive servants but punishes the servant who wasted the gift. This illustrates using one’s gifts and abilities for God’s glory.
The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20:1-16)
Laborers who worked longer complained when the landowner paid the same wages to those hired at the end of the day. But the landowner wished to be generous with his own money. This parable shows God’s grace is not earned but freely given, challenging self-righteous attitudes.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)
Jesus contrasted a wise man building his house on rock with a foolish man building on sand. When storms came, only the house with a strong foundation survived. Our lives must be rooted in obedience to Christ’s teachings to withstand adversity and judgment.
The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
A self-righteous Pharisee and despised tax collector both pray in the temple. The Pharisee brags about his righteousness while the tax collector humbly asks for mercy. Jesus says the tax collector’s prayer is the one that pleases God, showing humility is valued over pride.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
Those invited to a wedding banquet made excuses and refused to come. So the invitation went out to anyone, good or bad. But one guest was thrown out for not wearing wedding clothes, representing righteousness. God invites all, but requires turning from sin.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom fell asleep with their lamps. Five were wise and prepared with oil, while five were foolish and their lamps went out. We must remain spiritually ready for Christ’s return at any time.
These examples demonstrate how Jesus used everyday occurrences and activities like planting seeds, losing sheep, or attending weddings as object lessons to convey deeper spiritual principles. The familiar cultural stories and images served to capture attention while imparting important wisdom. The parables provoked self-reflection and pressed listeners to uncover the spiritual meaning on their own.
Common Themes in Parables
There are certain recurring themes that appear frequently in parables, both in the Old and New Testaments:
- God’s Nature: Parables highlight God’s attributes like love, grace, mercy, generosity, and patience.
- Kingdom of Heaven: Many parables use imagery to describe what God’s kingdom is like and who will be part of it.
- Behavior and Choices: Parables teach moral lessons and illustrate proper conduct versus improper actions.
- Judgment and Reward: The consequences of obedience versus sin are contrasted. Some parables warn of being excluded from relationship with God.
- Wisdom and Folly: Wise choices leading to blessing are compared with foolishness leading to ruin.
By using relatable situations and familiar cultural stories, the parables hook the listener into identifying with the narrative before revealing the spiritual insight. The frequent themes give cohesion to the purpose of the parables in revealing who God is, and what he expects of us.
Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?
There are several reasons why this distinctive teaching style was used by Christ:
- Engage the audience: The parable story format captured the listeners’ attention and caused them to reflect on the spiritual meaning.
- Memorability: The vivid imagery was easy to remember and pass on to others.
- Encourage inquiry: Parables weren’t always immediately clear, provoking questions to uncover meaning.
- Reveal truth subtly: Parables could convey convicting messages non-threateningly by putting the focus on fictitious characters.
- Sift insincere seekers: Those with hardened hearts would hear but not understand the meaning of parables.
- Illustrate theological truths: The stories encapsulated meaningful metaphors and symbols of spiritual realities.
However, Jesus’ disciples asked him why he taught using parables that were hard for some people to understand. Jesus replied in Matthew 13:11-13:
“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.”
Jesus used parables to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts, yet conceal the meaning from those hardened against it. Parables separated sincere followers from superficially interested bystanders. The engaging stories pulled back the veil on spiritual truths for those desiring to understand.
Principles for Interpreting Parables
When studying the parables of Jesus, here are some principles to keep in mind:
- Look for the main point – don’t get distracted by non-essential details.
- Study the context – connect the parable with events before and after.
- Know Jesus used hyperbole and exaggeration to make a point.
- Don’t allegorize every detail – the main imagery conveys the key message.
- Think about how the original audience would understand it.
- Focus on what the parable reveals about God’s nature and the kingdom of heaven.
- Look for connections between related parables.
- Let scripture interpret scripture by cross-referencing other passages.
The clear messages of the parables center on who God is and what he expects of us. We should avoid reading too much into peripheral details that may just provide helpful imagery. By following these principles, we can correctly handle God’s word and glean the spiritual insights Jesus intended to convey.
Significance of Parables for Spiritual Growth
Parables are invaluable tools for spiritual development because of the memorable lessons they impart. Here are some reasons the parables of Jesus are so significant for our walk with God:
- Encourage introspection – They reveal our heart attitudes and convict selfish tendencies.
- Invite application – They demand we evaluate our own response to God’s word.
- Spur behavioral change – They highlight where we need to alter conduct and mindset.
- Deepen understanding – They unpack theological concepts through relatable analogies.
- Promote wisdom – They guide us to live out spiritual truth, not just know it intellectually.
- Strengthen faith – Hearing God’s word through parables increases trust and obedience.
Parables serve as mirrors enabling us to see ourselves and our own nature more clearly. Their timeless spiritual insights help believers continue to grow in faith and godliness throughout our lives if we constantly reflect on their significance. We glimpse the heart of God through these memorable stories that compel us to evaluate our relationship with him.
Conclusion
Parables utilize familiar everyday stories and activities to convey profound theological truths. Jesus leveraged this distinctive teaching style to engage audiences and lead them to draw deeper meaning on their own. His parables frequently used imagery from agriculture, weddings, fishing, business, and other everyday cultural touchpoints. The themes convey insights about the nature of God, the kingdom of heaven, spiritual wisdom versus folly, consequences of obedience and sin, and what it means to live righteously.
Jesus’ parables contain memorable messages accessible to everyone, yet can take a lifetime of reflection to fully grasp their richness. By understanding the principles for interpreting parables, we can correctly discern the spiritual insights they impart. Parables serve as a mirror into our own hearts, provoking introspection and self-examination. The enduring stories compel us toward greater faith, wisdom, and intimacy with God if we continually contemplate their significance and apply their lessons. Parables with their deceptively simple narratives hide layer upon layer of profound truth, unlocking spiritual growth.
