Conveying Complex Theological Truths Through Parables and Examples
The use of parables and examples is a significant method for conveying complex theological truths in biblical literature, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. The Greek word parabole (παραβολή), from which "parable" derives, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison, similitude, or illustration of one subject by another [1]. This method allows for the presentation of profound spiritual concepts through relatable, earthly scenarios [7].
In the Old Testament, the term "parable" (Hebrew mashal) had a broad application, encompassing proverbs (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13), prophetic utterances (Numbers 23:7, 18; Ezekiel 20:49), and enigmatic maxims or riddles (Psalm 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) [1, 7]. Psalm 78:2 states, "I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago" [4]. Ecclesiastes 12:9 notes that "Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables" [8]. Examples of parables in the Old Testament include Jdg 9:8-15, 2 Samuel 12:1-4, and 2 Samuel 14:5-7 [2].
Jesus extensively employed parables in his ministry, and the New Testament records numerous instances of him doing so [2]. Matthew Henry notes that Christ "tries all ways and methods to do good to the souls of men, and to make impressions upon them" [9]. These parables often drew analogies between common aspects of life and spiritual truths [11]. For instance, Jesus' parables include the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), the sower (Matthew 13:3-23), the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46) [2]. John Gill observes that Jesus spoke "many such parables" as those found in Matthew 13, including the tares, the leaven, the treasure hid in the field, and the net cast into the sea [14].
One primary reason Jesus taught in parables was to communicate spiritual truths "as they were able to hear it" [6, 14]. Adam Clarke suggests that Jesus' parables were not intended to hide the truth but to make it more manifest, serving to enlighten people [13]. The Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 13:31-33 suggests that Jesus used "surprising, evocative imagery" in parables to emphasize the inevitable growth of the Kingdom through the gospel, or to highlight the contrast between humble beginnings and glorious consummation, thereby encouraging patience among his disciples [12].
However, Jesus also indicated that parables served a dual purpose, revealing truth to some while obscuring it from others. In Matthew 13:13, Jesus states, "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" [3]. This suggests that parables functioned as a means of discernment, allowing those with receptive hearts to grasp deeper meanings, while those who were spiritually unresponsive remained uncomprehending [3]. Matthew Henry interprets this as Christ's way of keeping people "attending and expecting," even if the full clarity of the "mysteries of the kingdom" was not yet revealed [9].
The distinction between a parable and a fable is important. A fable, according to Smith's Bible Dictionary, is a narrative where irrational or inanimate beings act and speak with human interests for moral instruction [5]. The key differences are that a parable relates what is true to fact and teaches higher, spiritual truths, whereas a fable is not necessarily true to fact and teaches only earthly moralities [5]. The Bible contains very few fables, such as that of the trees in Judges 9:8-15, which is also listed as an Old Testament parable [2, 5].
Interpreting parables requires careful attention to their central analogy, historical context, and the specific context within the Gospel text [11]. Scholars caution against finding speculative allegorical meanings in every element of a parable that were not originally intended [11]. The seven parables in Matthew 13, for example, are structured with the first four spoken to the general multitude and the remaining three to the disciples in private, with the parable of the Sower serving as an introduction to the others [10]. This structure highlights a progression in understanding, from general public teaching to more intimate instruction for those committed to discipleship.
The use of parables underscores a pedagogical approach that values illustration and comparison as tools for spiritual education. By grounding abstract theological concepts in concrete, everyday experiences, Jesus made profound truths accessible, yet simultaneously challenging, to his audience. This method allowed for a layered understanding, where the immediate narrative could be grasped by many, while deeper spiritual implications were revealed to those who sought them with a discerning heart.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parables — Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament -- Jdj 9:8-15; 2Sa 12:1-4; 14:5-7. Parables of christ Wise and foolish builders. -- Mt 7:24-27. Children of the bride chamber. -- Mt 9:15. New cloth and old garment. -- Mt 9:16. New wine and old bottles. -- Mt 9:17. Unclean spirit. -- Mt 12:43. Sower. -- Mt 13:3-23; Lu 8:5-15. Tares. -- Mt 13:24-30,36-43. Mustard-seed. -- Mt 13:31,32; Lu 13:19. Leaven. -- Mt 13:33. Treasure hid in a field. -- Mt 13:44. Pearl of great price. -- Mt 13:45,46. Net cast into the sea. -- Mt 13:47-50. Meats defiling not. -- Mt 15:10-15. Un”
- Matthew “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. -- Matthew 13:13”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (LEB) — I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Fable — A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions.--Encyc. Brit. The fable differs from the parable in that-- + The parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and + The parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. Of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [[510]Parable], we have but two examples in the Bible: + That of the tree”
- Mark “Mark 4:33 (BSB) — With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:9 (DRC) — And whereas Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables.”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 13:24: In these verses, we have, I. Another reason given why Christ preached by parables, Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35. All these things he spoke in parables, because the time was not yet come for the more clear and plain discoveries of the mysteries of the kingdom. Christ, to keep the people attending and expecting, preached in parables, and without a parable spake he not unto them; namely, at this time and in this sermon. Note, Christ tries all ways and methods to do good to the souls of men, and to make impressions upon them; if men will not be instructed and influenced by ”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:3: And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, &c.--These parables are SEVEN in number; and it is not a little remarkable that while this is the sacred number, the first FOUR of them were spoken to the mixed multitude, while the remaining THREE were spoken to the Twelve in private--these divisions, four and three, being themselves notable in the symbolical arithmetic of Scripture. Another thing remarkable in the structure of these parables is, that while the first of the Seven--that of the Sower--is of the nature of an Introduction to the who”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:31: 13:31-33 Jesus used surprising, evocative imagery in these parables, either to emphasize the inevitable growth of the Kingdom through proclamation of the gospel or, more probably, to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and glorious consummation, and to exhort the disciples to patience (see also 16:24–17:13).”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:21: Is a candle - put under a bushel! - The design of my preaching is to enlighten men; my parables not being designed to hide the truth, but to make it more manifest.”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 4:28: And with many such parables,.... As those of the tares, of the leaven in three measures of meal, of the treasure hid in the field, the pearl of great price, the net cast into the sea, and of the Scribe instructed unto the kingdom of God; which though not related at length here, are by the Evangelist Matthew, in Mat 13:24 together with others elsewhere: spake he the word unto them; preached the Gospel to the multitude, as they were able to hear it: meaning either that he condescended to their weakness, accommodated himself to their capacities, and made use of the pla”