Using Parables to Explain Divine Mystery in Scripture
Parables are a significant literary and teaching device in Scripture, used to convey spiritual truths through earthly comparisons [11]. The Greek word parabole signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or similitude [1]. Similarly, the Hebrew term mashal denotes a similitude or comparison [2].
In the Old Testament, the term "parable" (or mashal) had a broad application, referring to proverbs (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13), prophetic utterances (Numbers 23:7, 18; Ezekiel 20:49), and enigmatic maxims or riddles (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) [1, 2, 4, 7, 8]. For instance, Psalm 78:2 states, "I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago" [4].
In the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus, parables are primarily understood as comparisons of earthly things with heavenly truths [2]. Jesus frequently used parables to explain the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" [9]. These mysteries are not incomprehensible secrets, but rather divine revelations that were often darkly understood in the Old Testament but fully revealed under the Gospel [9]. Jesus explained that he spoke in parables so that "seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" (Matthew 13:13) [6]. This suggests that parables served both to reveal truth to those who were receptive and to obscure it from those who were not [6, 10].
Notable parables of Christ include the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23), the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30), the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and the Leaven (Matthew 13:33) [3]. These parables often address the responses, both positive and negative, to Jesus' message [11]. When interpreting parables, it is crucial to identify the central analogy and understand it within its historical and Gospel context, rather than seeking speculative allegorical meanings for every detail [11].
A key distinction exists between parables and fables. While both are narratives, a parable always relates what could actually happen and is true to fact, teaching higher spiritual truths. A fable, conversely, often features irrational or inanimate beings acting with human characteristics and primarily teaches earthly moralities [5]. The Bible contains only two examples of fables, such as that of the trees in Judges 9:8-15, whereas parables are a pervasive teaching method [3, 5].
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”
- 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”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (LEB) — I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,”
- 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”
- Proverbs “to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. -- Proverbs 1:6”
- Ezekiel “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; -- Ezekiel 17:2”
- 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”
- 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 13:3: 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.”