External Examples in Scripture for Illustrating Key Truths

The Bible frequently employs external examples to illustrate key truths, drawing from both the lives of individuals and common observations of the natural world and human experience. These examples serve to make abstract spiritual concepts tangible and relatable for the audience.

One prominent category of external examples involves the lives and actions of biblical figures, including Jesus Christ himself. Christ is presented as the ultimate example for believers in numerous virtues. For instance, he is cited as an example of early rising, demonstrating devotion and diligence (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) ^[1]. His zeal for God's house and purposes is highlighted (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17) ^[2]. Christ also exemplifies self-denial, as seen in his rejection of worldly temptations and his willingness to humble himself (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:38; Philippians 2:6-8) ^[4]. His resignation to the Father's will, even in the face of suffering and death, serves as a model for believers (Matthew 26:39-44; John 12:27; 18:11) ^[5]. Furthermore, Christ's compassion and communion with God are presented as examples to follow (Luke 19:41-42) ^[6].

Beyond Christ, other biblical figures provide examples of various qualities. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, and Mary are all noted for their practice of early rising, illustrating diligence in executing God's commands and daily duties ^[1]. The zeal of saints, such as Phinehas, is shown to be ardent and to provoke others to good works (Numbers 25:11,13; 2 Corinthians 9:2) ^[2]. Conversely, some examples serve as warnings, such as the zeal of Saul (later Paul) before his conversion, which was "wrongly directed" (Acts 22:3-4; Philippians 3:6) ^[2].

The use of parables is a significant way the Bible, particularly the New Testament, employs external examples. A parable, derived from the Greek parabole, literally means "placing beside" or "comparison," serving as a similitude or illustration of one subject by another ^[3]. Jesus frequently used parables to teach profound spiritual truths by drawing from familiar objects and incidents of everyday life ^[8]. For example, the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven use surprising, evocative imagery to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and glorious consummation, and to encourage patience among disciples ^[10]. These parables illustrate the inevitable growth of the Kingdom of God through the proclamation of the gospel ^[10].

Beyond parables, other literary forms also utilize external examples. Proverbs, for instance, are wise and weighty sentences that often draw on observations of human behavior and natural phenomena to impart knowledge ^[11]. The book of Proverbs itself is a collection of such sayings, many attributed to Solomon ^[11].

The natural world and common human experiences also provide rich illustrative material. The "light of thy countenance" is a figure of speech for divine favor, drawing on the common understanding of light as a positive symbol (Numbers 6:26; Psalm 44:3) ^[9]. The imagery of a lion is used in Genesis 49:9 to describe Judah, and in Revelation 4:7 to depict one of the living creatures around God's throne, symbolizing strength and majesty ^[7]. Similarly, the eagle is used in Deuteronomy 28:49 and Isaiah 40:31 to represent swiftness or renewal ^[7].

Even seemingly mundane objects or actions can become powerful illustrations. Jesus' observation about the "cup and platter" in

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
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: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 4:7 cross-references: Genesis 49:9, Numbers 2:2, Numbers 23:24, Numbers 24:9, Deuteronomy 28:49, 2 Samuel 1:23, Proverbs 28:2, Isaiah 40:31, Ezekiel 1:8, Ezekiel 1:10, Ezekiel 10:14, Ezekiel 10:21, Daniel 7:4, Obadiah 1:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Revelation 4:6”
Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:39: cup and platter--remarkable example of our Lord's way of drawing the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents of life. ravening--rapacity.”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 4:6: Contrast true with vain confidence. light of thy countenance upon us--figure for favor (Num 6:26; Psa 44:3; Psa 81:16).”
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).”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25 (introduction): This verse is the title of this latter collection of Solomon's proverbs, for he sought out and set in order many proverbs, that by them he might be still teaching the people knowledge, Ecc 12:9. Observe, 1. The proverbs were Solomon's, who was divinely inspired to deliver, for the use of the church, these wise and weighty sentences; we have had many, but still there are more. Yet herein Christ is greater than Solomon, for if we had all upon record that Christ said, and did, that was instructive, the world could not contain the books that would be wr”

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