Jesus' Teaching Style: Parables and Metaphors Explained
Jesus frequently employed parables and metaphors as central elements of his teaching style, a practice noted across the Gospels [3, 4]. The Greek word for parable, parabole, signifies "placing beside" or "comparison," indicating an illustration of one subject by another [1, 6]. This method allowed Jesus to convey spiritual truths through relatable earthly scenarios [6].
In the New Testament, the term "parable" had a broad application, sometimes referring to short proverbs, dark prophetic utterances, or enigmatic maxims [1, 6]. Jesus' parables often presented surprising or evocative imagery, designed to highlight the contrast between humble beginnings and glorious outcomes, or to encourage patience among his disciples [8]. Examples include the parables of the Sower, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven [5].
Jesus' use of parables served multiple purposes. He spoke "to the extent that they could understand" [2], suggesting an adaptation to his audience's capacity. However, his parables also functioned to reveal the "secret of the Kingdom of God" to his followers while obscuring it from "outsiders" [11]. This dual function meant that for those who were not true followers, his teachings could seem like riddles, preventing them from understanding, repenting, and being forgiven [11]. This intentional judgment on some hearers is linked to a quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 [11].
The Gospel of Matthew records that Jesus spoke "all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them" at certain times [3]. Matthew Henry suggests that this approach was partly because "the time was not yet come for the more clear and plain discoveries of the mysteries of the kingdom," and that Jesus used parables to keep people engaged and expectant [7]. Jesus often provided private explanations of his parables to his disciples, particularly when they were alone in a house, indicating that these inner circle followers were meant to grasp deeper meanings, even if they sometimes struggled with comprehension [9, 10].
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”
- Mark “Mark 4:33 (BSB) — With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.”
- Matthew “Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, -- Matthew 13:34”
- King James Version “[KJV] Mark 4:2 — And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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 (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 10:10: 10:10 Jesus often explained his teaching to his disciples in the privacy of a house (see 7:17; 9:28, 33).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:33: 4:33-34 Mark’s summary of this section indicates that 4:3-32 is a collection of parables, not a chronological description of Jesus’ teaching on a specific day. • Jesus’ private explanation of the parables to the disciples shows that they were not outsiders, even though they sometimes lacked understanding (cp. 4:13).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 4:11: 4:11-12 Jesus’ real followers were permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God—namely, that the Kingdom of God had come (1:14-15) and that Christ, the Son of God, was in their midst (1:1). For outsiders, it all seemed like riddles. • Jesus’ reply to the disciples’ question suggests that the parables were intended to prevent outsiders from understanding them, so that they would be unable to repent and be forgiven. The quotation from Isa 6:9-10 (Greek version) suggests that it was an intentional judgment on the hearers. Jesus’ teaching in parables, and th”