Hermeneutics Parables and Allegories

Definition of a Parable - The Greek parabolh, is a compound term, composed of para, (“beside”) and ba,llein (“to throw or cast”), yielding literally “a casting beside.” The dominant idea is a comparison between two things, frequently an earthly story that demonstrates a spiritual reality. - The Greek parabolh, is a compound term, composed of para, (“beside”) and ba,llein (“to throw or cast”), yielding literally “a casting beside.” The dominant idea is a comparison between two things, frequently an earthly story that demonstrates a spiritual reality.

Definition of a Parable Ellison provides an excellent definition when he describes a parable as Ellison provides an excellent definition when he describes a parable as a figurative history, true to life, designed for the pedagogical purpose of conveying some specific spiritual truth, usually relative to the kingdom.... It has five constituent elements as given in the definition. First, it is a narration containing a sequence of actions. Second, it is true to life or within the realm of probability. Third, it is artificial or designed, rather than historical. Fourth, it represents the transference of knowledge between two spheres, utilizing the known to teach the unknown. Fifth, its obvious purpose is to convey some truth belonging to the sphere of religion, i.e., relative to the kingdom (Stanley A. Ellison, “The Hermeneutics of Parables” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1964), 61-62). a figurative history, true to life, designed for the pedagogical purpose of conveying some specific spiritual truth, usually relative to the kingdom.... It has five constituent elements as given in the definition. First, it is a narration containing a sequence of actions. Second, it is true to life or within the realm of probability. Third, it is artificial or designed, rather than historical. Fourth, it represents the transference of knowledge between two spheres, utilizing the known to teach the unknown. Fifth, its obvious purpose is to convey some truth belonging to the sphere of religion, i.e., relative to the kingdom (Stanley A. Ellison, “The Hermeneutics of Parables” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1964), 61-62).

General Guidelines for Interpreting Parables Interpret a parable in light of its context, paying special attention to the occasion which gave rise to the parable. Interpret a parable in light of its context, paying special attention to the occasion which gave rise to the parable. Thoroughly understand the physical story before making the transfer to the spiritual realm. Thoroughly understand the physical story before making the transfer to the spiritual realm. Understand the central thrust of the parable, then relate the details appropriately. Understand the central thrust of the parable, then relate the details appropriately. Avoid importing a theological system into a parable, or reading much more into it than would have been clear to its original hearers. Avoid importing a theological system into a parable, or reading much more into it than would have been clear to its original hearers.

The Importance of Considering the Whole Story “The kingdom of heaven is like...” “The kingdom of heaven is like...”

United King. Northern Kingdom Southern Kingdom 722 BC 586 BC 1000 years New heavens & earth The Main Topic for Jesus’ Parables: 7 “Mysteries of the Kingdom” (Matt 13) Prophets predict a coming king and kingdom The Kingdom of God

Jesus’ Turn to a Parabolic Ministry in the Argument of Matthew’s Gospel Three Major Movements within Matthew’s Gospel Three Major Movements within Matthew’s Gospel The Presentation of Jesus Christ as the Indisputable King of the Jews (1-10) The Presentation of Jesus Christ as the Indisputable King of the Jews (1-10) Genealogy and Birth of the King (1-2) Genealogy and Birth of the King (1-2) Forerunner of the King (3) Forerunner of the King (3) The Moral Character of the King (4) The Moral Character of the King (4) The King’s Manifesto (5-7) The King’s Manifesto (5-7) The King’s Power (8-10) The King’s Power (8-10) The Rejection of Jesus as King (11-12) The Rejection of Jesus as King (11-12) Jesus’ Ministry in Light of His Rejection (13-28) Jesus’ Ministry in Light of His Rejection (13-28)

“Mysteries of the Kingdom” in Matthew 13 Eight parables in all, four to the multitudes at large and four to the disciples in private. Eight parables in all, four to the multitudes at large and four to the disciples in private. Of these eight, three are interpreted by Christ Himself: Of these eight, three are interpreted by Christ Himself: Parable of the Four Soils Parable of the Four Soils Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Parable of the Wheat and the Tares Parable of the Dragnet Parable of the Dragnet The remaining five are not interpreted, and four of these five have been the subject of much debate. The remaining five are not interpreted, and four of these five have been the subject of much debate.

Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31- 32) The Physical Story The Physical Story Two Views Two Views Abnormal growth with implications of evil. Abnormal growth with implications of evil. A mustard seed cannot properly and normally produce a magnificent and far-spreading tree. It must be recognized that Jesus was describing something out of the ordinary, something unnatural. The mustard is an herb and not a tree, and if it so happen that the mustard plant, which is naturally small and unobtrusive, pass out of the stage of the yellow flowering herb of beauty to that of a great and mighty tree with branches, then both process and result are abnormal and unnatural (G. Campbell Morgan, The Parables of the Kingdom, p. 101). Tremendous growth from a small beginning. Tremendous growth from a small beginning. What, to the eye of flesh, could be less magnificent, what could have less of promise than the commencements of the kingdom of God in the person of the Son of man? He grew up in a distant and despised province; till his thirtieth year, did not emerge from the bosom of his family,—then taught for two or three years in the neighboring towns and villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few converts, chiefly among the poor and unlearned; and then falling into the hands of his enemies, without an attempt on his own part or his followers to release him, died the shameful death of the cross: such, and so slight, was the commencement of the universal kingdom of God (Richard Trench, Notes on the Parables of Our Lord, p. 94). See Ezek 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-12 for “birds of the air” See Ezek 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-12 for “birds of the air”

Parable of the Leaven in the Meal (13:33) The Physical Story The Physical Story Two Views Two Views The leaven is good and refers to the permeating influence of the gospel. The leaven is good and refers to the permeating influence of the gospel. What is the primary support for this view? What is the primary support for this view? The leaven is evil, The leaven is evil, whether in the form of false doctrine, hypocrisy, or some other apostasy. Though it will have a small start in the kingdom, it will eventually permeate it entirely. When leaven is used metaphorically in the NT it always refers to evil ( When leaven is used metaphorically in the NT it always refers to evil (Matt 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6,7; Galatians 5:9).

Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44) The Physical Story The Physical Story Three Views Three Views The treasure represents the kingdom and speaks of its great value. The treasure represents the kingdom and speaks of its great value. Cannot be, because the whole story must be considered. Cannot be, because the whole story must be considered. The treasure represents the nation of Israel. The treasure represents the nation of Israel. Based on KJV rendering of Exo 19:5 and Psa 135:4. Based on KJV rendering of Exo 19:5 and Psa 135:4. The treasure represents spiritual truth about the kingdom that Christ is revealing in parables. The treasure represents spiritual truth about the kingdom that Christ is revealing in parables. This explanation accounts for the “hiddenness” of the treasure and the subsequent “rehiding” in the parable. From a revelatory standpoint Christ “discovered” these truths about the kingdom’s mysteries and promptly rehid them in parabolic form until such time as He could complete a purchase of the world, which is the scene of the fulfillment of these mysteries (Robert Thomas, unpublished exegetical digest). Cf. Prov 2:4, 8:21; 2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:2-3; 2 Tim 1:14. Cf. Prov 2:4, 8:21; 2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:2-3; 2 Tim 1:14. Treasure in the parable of the householder (Matt 13:52). Treasure in the parable of the householder (Matt 13:52).

Parable of the Costly Pearl (13:45-46) The Physical Story The Physical Story Three Views (linked to the Parable of the Hidden Treasure) Three Views (linked to the Parable of the Hidden Treasure) The pearl is the kingdom of heaven The pearl is the kingdom of heaven Difference is in the manner of discovery! Difference is in the manner of discovery! The pearl is the church The pearl is the church In this parable, the same thought was presented as in the preceding one; only here, the pearl seemed to represent the church rather than Israel. In the world of gems, the pearl is uniquely formed organically. Its formation occurs because of an irritation in the tender side of an oyster. There is a sense in which the church was formed out of the wounds of Christ and has been made possible by His death and sacrifice (John Walvoord, Thy Kingdom Come, p. 105). The pearl is spiritual truth about the kingdom The pearl is spiritual truth about the kingdom From where else in Scripture could this be substantiated? From where else in Scripture could this be substantiated? “ “Do not cast pearls to swine, nor deliver wisdom to him who does not know its worth” (From the Talmud, as cited in Broadus, Matthew, p. 158).

Definition of an Allegory While a parable is an extended simile, an allegory is an extended metaphor. A primary distinction between these two literary devices is that a parable keeps interpretation or meaning separate from the story, while an allegory intertwines story and meaning. While a parable is an extended simile, an allegory is an extended metaphor. A primary distinction between these two literary devices is that a parable keeps interpretation or meaning separate from the story, while an allegory intertwines story and meaning. Examples from Scripture: Examples from Scripture: Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8 and 9) Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8 and 9) Israel as Unproductive Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) Israel as Unproductive Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10) Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10) The Vine and the Branches (John 15) The Vine and the Branches (John 15) The Armor of God (Ephesians 6) The Armor of God (Ephesians 6)

Guidelines for Interpreting Allegories Note the points of comparison that are explained or interpreted in the passage (see exercises on pp ). Note the points of comparison that are explained or interpreted in the passage (see exercises on pp ). Do not press details of allegories beyond what is reasonable. Do not press details of allegories beyond what is reasonable. Determine the main point of the allegory. Determine the main point of the allegory.

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