Lesson 1: Introduction

The Nature of Parables Greek “parabole” translated: Comparison (Mark 4:30) Figure (Heb. 9:9; 11:19) Proverb (Luke 4:23) Parable (46 times) Greek “parabole” defined: Throwing or placing something beside something else for the purpose of making a comparison As Jesus used them, they were stories placed alongside certain truths for the purpose of illustrating those truths An earthly story with a heavenly meaning

The Nature of Parables Not a simile Not a metaphor Not fables Not an explicit comparison between two things essentially unlike each other, introduced with “like” or “as” (ex., “send you forth as sheep,” “as Jonah was three days and three nights,” “you are like whitewashed tombs”) Not a metaphor Not an implied comparison between two things essentially unlike each other (ex., “you are the salt of the earth,” “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees”) Not fables Not invented stories composed of unreal elements or impossible situations that could not actually have occurred (ex., Judg. 9:7-15) Not an allegory Not to be understood as every detail in the story having meaning where there’s really no comparison and is self-interpreting (“I am the light of the world,” “I am the door of the sheep”)

The Nature of Parables They were illustrations Something real in life (something that could have happened) was used as a means of presenting a moral thought Jesus used parables frequently Estimated that 1/3 of verbal teaching was in parables

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables Reveal spiritual truth clearly to those who were sincerely seeking the will of God (Matt. 13:10-11, 16) To those disposed to know and accept the truth, the parables served to arouse attention and to excite inquiry. If they did not at first apprehend the meaning, they would come and ask (cf. Matt. 13:36; Mark 4:10) Effectively separated the truth-seekers from the non-seekers

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables Conceal truth from those who were not really interested in learning it (Matt. 13:12-15) The scribes and Pharisees were constantly attempting to twist the teaching of Jesus (cf. Matt. 13:13-15). With no desire to know the truth, these did not come and make inquiry It was not that Jesus did not want them to know the truth; the people themselves had shut their own eyes, ears and minds “Perceived He spoke of them” (Matt. 21:45; Luke 20:19)

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables Cause men to assent to the truth (get the people nodding their heads in agreement) before they realized its applicability to them personally when He revealed the points In some cases, they would convict themselves before they knew the main point of His teaching (cf. Matt. 21:33-45; cf. 2 Sam. 12:1-7)

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables Fulfill Old Testament prophecy “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us” (Psa. 78:2-3). “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world’” (Matt. 13:34-35).

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables Many advantages resulting from this type of teaching He spoke concerning things and circumstances with which the first-century Jews were very familiar and with which they could associate Sower Mustard seed Leaven Merchant Net

The Purpose of Jesus’ Use of Parables To convey “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” in a way that men would be prone to remember long after it had been given