God Speaks in Parables
What is a parable? Outside of the Bible, I had never heard the word. If I had ever learned it in school,
I had forgotten it. A parable is a literary tool. They are stories often used to give comparisons.
Instead of a single simile, or metaphor, an author may give a larger comparison using a parable;
a full story. Jesus used these parables often when trying to describe or explain a circumstance to
the people around him or to his disciples. However, Jesus was not the only one to use parables.
If you think back to some of the stories that you may have heard growing up, these were often in
parable form. They would tell an interesting story and then end with a moral or message.
Such tales might include “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “The Boy Who Cried
Wolf”, or maybe even “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. These stories were all interesting, but ended
with some sort of moral or spiritual truth. Writers frequently use parables to explain truths that
may be difficult to understand or imagine. Often the listener can create mental pictures that help
them better “see” the truths or messages desired.
I had forgotten it. A parable is a literary tool. They are stories often used to give comparisons.
Instead of a single simile, or metaphor, an author may give a larger comparison using a parable;
a full story. Jesus used these parables often when trying to describe or explain a circumstance to
the people around him or to his disciples. However, Jesus was not the only one to use parables.
If you think back to some of the stories that you may have heard growing up, these were often in
parable form. They would tell an interesting story and then end with a moral or message.
Such tales might include “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “The Boy Who Cried
Wolf”, or maybe even “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. These stories were all interesting, but ended
with some sort of moral or spiritual truth. Writers frequently use parables to explain truths that
may be difficult to understand or imagine. Often the listener can create mental pictures that help
them better “see” the truths or messages desired.
Many times Jesus would use parables when speaking with the disciples or preaching to the multitudes
There are at least 37 parables spoken by Jesus and listed in the Bible. Some are unique to specific
Gospels and some are told in Matthew, Mark, AND Luke. Jesus knew that his many followers may
misinterpret His words or completely miss the spiritual messages He was trying to impart, so He
spoke to them with parables. Additionally, parables, because they are stories, often hold the attention
of the listeners as well. Moreover, Jesus would use familiar words, settings, or objects that would help
the listeners better embrace His meaning. Not only did Jesus mean to extol certain moral or spiritual
messages, He also intended to “leave them hanging”; to promote discussion; to promote a reaction.
There are at least 37 parables spoken by Jesus and listed in the Bible. Some are unique to specific
Gospels and some are told in Matthew, Mark, AND Luke. Jesus knew that his many followers may
misinterpret His words or completely miss the spiritual messages He was trying to impart, so He
spoke to them with parables. Additionally, parables, because they are stories, often hold the attention
of the listeners as well. Moreover, Jesus would use familiar words, settings, or objects that would help
the listeners better embrace His meaning. Not only did Jesus mean to extol certain moral or spiritual
messages, He also intended to “leave them hanging”; to promote discussion; to promote a reaction.
Jesus often ended His parables with the phrase, “He who has ears, let him hear.” What in the world
was He talking about? Don’t we all have ears? Most all of us with ears can hear, so what does He
mean? One website (gotquestions.org) suggests that when Jesus uses this phrase He is basically
saying, “Hey, pay attention to this! Listen up!” This site further suggests that Jesus is asking us to
use our God-given abilities and senses to tune into His words.
was He talking about? Don’t we all have ears? Most all of us with ears can hear, so what does He
mean? One website (gotquestions.org) suggests that when Jesus uses this phrase He is basically
saying, “Hey, pay attention to this! Listen up!” This site further suggests that Jesus is asking us to
use our God-given abilities and senses to tune into His words.
How can we interpret the parables of Jesus today? According to the website “Unlocking the Bible.org”,
there are several steps to understanding these parables of Jesus in our modern day lives. Several are
listed below:
--Understand the nature of the parables. It is a comparison of something concrete with something
not concrete; of something visible with something spiritual or unseen.
--Understand the purpose of the parable. Is Jesus trying to share something or disguise something?
--See the parable in the proper context. As happens with many verses in the Bible, parables
are often taken our of context. Verses taken out of context are not necessarily a bad thing as they
still can have some meaning in our lives outside of the intended context. With parables; however,
the context of the telling of the story often enhances the meaning. For example, I read a
commentary on the parable of the Widow's Mite was interesting. The widow's mite is when the
poor widow gives her last two coins to the synagogue and Jesus draws attention to her sacrifice.
Most interpret this as "giving our all to Jesus", or "sacrificing to Him" but this commentator looked
at the context in which the story was given and decided that it was actually a condemnation of
the Pharisees' treatment of widows. (See this commentary here)
--Remember the cultural gap. We are living in a whole different world than in Jesus' time. The
customs were different; the knowledge was different, so certain metaphors and comparisons
He makes in His parables may not mean as much if we do not understand the culture of
His day.
--Parables usually have one main point. Seldom will we be asked to uncover more than one
significant meaning. In other words, don't read more into it. If you get the main point, you got it!
--Notice "stock imagery" in parables. They are often-repeated characters or images in the parables
of Jesus. Generally a master, judge, or king will represent God; whereas, sheep, flock, or workers
may represent the children of God.
there are several steps to understanding these parables of Jesus in our modern day lives. Several are
listed below:
--Understand the nature of the parables. It is a comparison of something concrete with something
not concrete; of something visible with something spiritual or unseen.
--Understand the purpose of the parable. Is Jesus trying to share something or disguise something?
--See the parable in the proper context. As happens with many verses in the Bible, parables
are often taken our of context. Verses taken out of context are not necessarily a bad thing as they
still can have some meaning in our lives outside of the intended context. With parables; however,
the context of the telling of the story often enhances the meaning. For example, I read a
commentary on the parable of the Widow's Mite was interesting. The widow's mite is when the
poor widow gives her last two coins to the synagogue and Jesus draws attention to her sacrifice.
Most interpret this as "giving our all to Jesus", or "sacrificing to Him" but this commentator looked
at the context in which the story was given and decided that it was actually a condemnation of
the Pharisees' treatment of widows. (See this commentary here)
--Remember the cultural gap. We are living in a whole different world than in Jesus' time. The
customs were different; the knowledge was different, so certain metaphors and comparisons
He makes in His parables may not mean as much if we do not understand the culture of
His day.
--Parables usually have one main point. Seldom will we be asked to uncover more than one
significant meaning. In other words, don't read more into it. If you get the main point, you got it!
--Notice "stock imagery" in parables. They are often-repeated characters or images in the parables
of Jesus. Generally a master, judge, or king will represent God; whereas, sheep, flock, or workers
may represent the children of God.
Parables don't have to remain as stories with hidden meanings. As you read the parables in the Bible, pray that God will open up the meaning of the stories to you. God intends to speak to us through His word and through the parables of Jesus. The meanings may not always seem to jump right out at us, but with a little study and prayer, God will reveal them!
