Using Ancient Parables and Stories in Modern Teaching
Ancient parables and stories serve as powerful teaching tools, often drawing analogies between everyday life and deeper spiritual truths [10]. The Greek word parabolē, from which "parable" is derived, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude [1, 3]. This method of instruction has a long history in biblical tradition, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term mashal encompasses a broad range of literary forms, including proverbs, prophetic utterances, and enigmatic sayings [3]. For instance, Hosea 12:10 states, "I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables" [7]. The book of Psalms also refers to opening one's mouth "in a parable" and pouring forth "enigmas out of antiquity" [8]. Notable Old Testament parables include Jotham's fable of the trees in Judges 9:8-15 and Nathan's parable of the rich man and the poor man's lamb, used to confront David about his sin with Bathsheba [2, 11]. Nathan's parable, in particular, illustrates how these stories can convey unwelcome truths effectively by presenting them in a relatable, yet initially veiled, manner [11].
Jesus frequently employed parables in his teaching, often to explain complex spiritual concepts to his disciples and the crowds [6, 9]. He stated, "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" [5]. This suggests that parables could both reveal truth to those who were receptive and obscure it from those who were not [5]. The New Testament contains numerous parables from Jesus, such as the Sower, the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, and the Pearl of Great Price [2].
A key distinction exists between a parable and a fable. While both are narratives used for moral instruction, a parable always relates what could actually happen and is true to fact, teaching higher heavenly and spiritual truths. In contrast, a fable often features irrational or inanimate beings acting with human characteristics and typically conveys only earthly moralities [4]. When interpreting parables, it is crucial to identify the central analogy, understand its historical context, and grasp its meaning within the Gospel text, rather than seeking speculative allegorical meanings for every element [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”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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 “He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching, -- Mark 4:2”
- Hosea “I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables. -- Hosea 12:10”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (Rotherham) — I will open, in a parable, my mouth, I will pour forth enigmas out of antiquity;—”
- 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.”
- 2 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Samuel 12 (introduction): NATHAN'S PARABLE. (Sa2 12:1-6) the Lord sent Nathan unto David--The use of parables is a favorite style of speaking among Oriental people, especially in the conveyance of unwelcome truth. This exquisitely pathetic parable was founded on a common custom of pastoral people who have pet lambs, which they bring up with their children, and which they address in terms of endearment. The atrocity of the real, however, far exceeded that of the fictitious offense.”