Conveying Theology through Relatable Parables in Scripture
Conveying Theology through Relables in Scripture
The use of parables in Scripture is a significant method for conveying theological truths in a relatable manner. A parable is defined as a comparison or similitude that illustrates a spiritual truth by relating it to a common aspect of life [1, 2]. The term "parable" is derived from the Greek word "parabole," meaning "a placing beside" or "a comparison" [1].
In the Old Testament, parables were used by prophets to convey God's message to the people. For example, Psalm 78:2 states, "I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago" [3]. The prophets used parables to teach wisdom and insight, as seen in Ezekiel 17:2, where the prophet is instructed to "tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel" [6].
Jesus frequently used parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of God. In Matthew 13:3-9, Jesus tells the parable of the sower, which is interpreted in Matthew 13:18-23. This parable addresses the responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message [8]. Jesus' use of parables was not limited to simple stories; they could also be proverbs, similes, metaphors, riddles, or allegories [11].
The purpose of parables was to convey spiritual truths in a way that was relatable to the audience. According to Matthew 13:13, Jesus spoke in parables "because seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand" [4]. This suggests that parables were used to challenge the audience's understanding and to reveal deeper truths.
The interpretation of parables requires careful consideration of their historical context and the context of the Gospel text. The central analogy of the parable must be identified, and speculative allegorical meanings should be avoided [8]. Different traditions have interpreted parables in various ways. For instance, the parable of the sower is seen by some as an introduction to the mysteries of the kingdom, while others view it as a call to patience in the face of the kingdom's growth [9, 10].
The use of parables in Scripture highlights the importance of storytelling in conveying theological truths. By using relatable narratives, Jesus and the prophets were able to communicate complex ideas in a way that was accessible to their audience. As seen in Mark 4:33, Jesus "spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand" through the use of parables [5].
The theological significance of parables lies in their ability to reveal deeper truths about God's kingdom and his relationship with humanity. By examining the parables in their historical and literary context, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the theological themes and motifs present in Scripture. As noted by Matthew Henry, the parables of Christ are intended to "engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties" [12].
The prophets also used parables to convey God's message, as seen in Hosea 12:10, where it is written, "I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets" [7]. This highlights the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in the use of parables as a means of theological instruction.
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”
- 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”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (LEB) — I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,”
- 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”
- Mark “Mark 4:33 (BSB) — With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.”
- Ezekiel “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; -- Ezekiel 17:2”
- Hosea “Hosea 12:10 (BSB) — I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.”
- 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 (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 13:31: 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 (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:2: 4:2 Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32; 18:1-8) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25; Luke 4:23), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matt 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12).”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16:1: We mistake if we imagine that the design of Christ's doctrine and holy religion was either to amuse us with notions of divine mysteries or to entertain us with notions of divine mercies. No, the divine revelation of both these in the gospel is intended to engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties, and, as much as any one thing, to the duty of beneficence and doing good to those who stand in need of any thing that either we have or can do for them. This our Saviour is here pressing us to, by reminding us that we are but stewards of the manifold grace ”