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Interpreting Parables and Examples in the Gospels Correctly

Interpreting parables and examples in the Gospels requires understanding their nature as illustrative teachings and their specific contexts. The Greek word parabole (parable) signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude [1]. In the New Testament, this term has a broad application, sometimes referring to short proverbs, dark prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or expanded metaphors [1, 4]. The Hebrew equivalent, mashal, also denotes a similitude and can encompass proverbs, prophetic sayings, and enigmatic statements [4].

Jesus frequently taught in parables, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew, where seven parables are recorded in chapter 13 alone [10]. These parables often draw analogies between common aspects of life and spiritual truths [8]. For instance, the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-23) uses the familiar act of sowing seeds to illustrate different responses to the message of the kingdom of God [2, 8]. Other notable parables include the wise and foolish builders, the mustard seed, and the leaven [2].

One significant reason Jesus spoke in parables was to reveal spiritual truths to some while concealing them from others. As Matthew 13:13 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 served as a means of divine revelation for those who were receptive, while those who were not would remain in their lack of understanding [9]. John Gill notes that Jesus used parables because it was God's will to grant knowledge of divine mysteries to some but not to others [9]. Matthew Henry adds that Christ used parables to keep people attentive and expectant, trying various methods to impress upon them the truths of the kingdom [12]. The "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" are not inherently incomprehensible but are matters of purely divine revelation, fully published under the Gospel [13].

To correctly interpret a parable, it is essential to identify the central analogy and understand it within its historical context and the specific Gospel narrative [8]. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended by the author should be avoided [8]. For example, the parable of the sower is explicitly interpreted by Jesus himself in Matthew 13:18-23, providing a direct guide to its meaning [8].

Beyond parables, the Gospels also present "examples" for Christian conduct. The concept of an "example" (typos in Greek) is seen in various contexts within the New Testament. Christ himself is presented as an example for believers (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15) [7]. Pastors are also called to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) [7]. The experiences of the Jews in the Old Testament serve as a warning example (Hebrews 4:11), and the prophets are examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) [7]. These examples are not merely illustrative stories but are intended to guide behavior and understanding. For instance, Matthew Henry suggests that Christ's teachings, including those in parables, are designed to engage and quicken believers to practice Christian duties, such as beneficence [11].

The Gospels themselves are "good news" (euaggelion in Greek) about the life and teaching of Christ [5]. They are historical accounts of Jesus's person and work, composed during the latter half of the first century [5, 6]. Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King, Mark as a mighty prophet, Luke as the Savior of humanity, and John as the Son of God [6]. Understanding the specific theological emphasis of each Gospel can also aid in interpreting the parables and examples within them.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. 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”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
  8. 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.”
  9. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:12: Therefore speak I to them in parables,.... Because it was the will and pleasure of his Father to give the knowledge of divine mysteries to some, and not to others; and because even the outward good things they had, being wrongly used or abused by them, would be taken away from them: and because they seeing, see not: they saw Christ with their bodily eyes, but not with an eye of faith; they saw the miracles he did, but did not discern, at least did not acknowledge the evidence of them, proving him to be the true Messiah. And hearing, they hear not, neither do the”
  10. 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”
  11. 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 ”
  12. 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 ”
  13. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 13:11: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven--The word "mysteries" in Scripture is not used in its classical sense--of religious secrets, nor yet of things incomprehensible, or in their own nature difficult to be understood--but in the sense of things of purely divine revelation, and, usually, things darkly announced under the ancient economy, and during all that period darkly understood, but fully published under the Gospel (Co1 2:6-10; Eph 3:3-6, Eph 3:8-9). "The mysteries of the kingdo”
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