What is a parable?

Answer

A parable is, literally, something “cast alongside” something else. Jesus’ parables were stories that were “cast alongside” a truth to illustrate that truth. His parables were teaching aids and can be thought of as extended analogies or inspired comparisons. A common description of a parable is that it is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

For a time in His ministry, Jesus relied heavily on parables. He told many of them; in fact, according to Mark 4:34a, “He did not say anything to them without using a parable.” There are about 35 of Jesus’ parables recorded in the Synoptic Gospels.

It had not always been that way. In the early part of His ministry, Jesus had not used parables. Suddenly, He begins telling parables exclusively, much to the surprise of His disciples, who asked Him, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” «And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? », (Matthew 13:10).

Jesus explained that His use of parables had a two-fold purpose: to reveal the truth to those who wanted to know it and to conceal the truth from those who were indifferent. In the previous chapter (Matthew 12), the Pharisees had publicly rejected their Messiah and blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-32). They fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of a hardhearted, spiritually blind people (Isaiah 6:9-10). Jesus’ response was to begin teaching in parables. Those who, like the Pharisees, had a preconceived bias against the Lord’s teaching would dismiss the parables as irrelevant nonsense. However, those who truly sought the truth would understand.

Jesus made sure His disciples understood the meaning of the parables.Parables: “When he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything” «But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. », (Mark 4:34b).

Interpreting a parable can present some challenges for the student of the Bible. Sometimes, interpretation is easy because the Lord Himself gave the interpretation—the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares are both explained in Matthew 13. Here are some principles that help in interpreting the other parables:

1) Determine the scope of the spiritual truth being presented. Sometimes, a parable is preceded by some introductory words that provide a context. For example, often Jesus preceded a parable with the words “this is what the kingdom of heaven is like.” Also, before the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, we read this: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable” «And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: », (Luke 18:9). This introduction delineates the subject matter being illustrated (self-righteousness and spiritual pride).

2) Distinguish between the “meat” of the story and what is just ornamentation. In other words, not every detail of a parable carries a deep spiritual meaning. Some details are simply there to help the story seem more realistic. For example, in Jesus’ own interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, He does not comment on the fact that there are four (and only four) different types of soil. That detail was meaningless to the overall point Jesus was making.

3) Compare Scripture with Scripture. This basic principle of hermeneutics is invaluable when studying parables. Jesus’ parables will never contradict.The remainder of the Word of God, which He came to express «For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. », (John 12:49). The parables are intended to illustrate doctrine, and the teachings Jesus illuminated are clearly taught elsewhere in the Bible.

There are parables in the Bible apart from those in the Gospels. The book of Proverbs is replete with analogies—whenever Solomon employed a comparison to convey a truth, particularly in emblematic parallelism, the outcome was a straightforward parable. For instance, Proverbs 20:2 states, “A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion.” The roaring of a lion is “placed alongside” the wrath of a king for comparison. That is the core of parabolic language.

After sharing some of His parables, Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” «And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. », (Mark 4:9,23) «If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. », (Mark 4:9,23). This was an invitation to listen to the parables, not merely as one would listen to a regular story but as someone seeking God’s truth. May God grant us all ears to truly “hear.”