Using Parables to Illustrate Key Theological Concepts Biblically
The term "parable" originates from the Greek parabolē, meaning "a placing beside" or "comparison" [1, 2]. In the New Testament, it refers to a comparison of earthly things with heavenly truths [2]. The Hebrew equivalent, mashal, also denotes a similitude and can encompass a broader range of literary forms, including proverbs, prophetic utterances, and enigmatic sayings [2]. For instance, Psalm 78:2 states, "I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago" [5]. The prophet Ezekiel was also instructed to "tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel" [9]. Hosea 12:10 notes that God "used parables" through the ministry of the prophets [8].
Jesus frequently employed parables to illustrate key theological concepts [7]. These stories often draw analogies between common aspects of life and spiritual truths [10]. While parables are often narratives, they can also take the form of proverbs, similes, metaphors, riddles, comparisons, or examples [12]. For example, the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23) addresses the varied responses to Jesus's message [3, 10]. Other notable parables include the Mustard Seed and the Leaven, which use surprising imagery to emphasize the contrast between insignificant beginnings and the glorious consummation of the Kingdom of God, encouraging patience among disciples [11].
A key distinction exists between a parable and a fable. A parable 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 for moral instruction, but it does not necessarily relate to actual events or spiritual truths [4]. While every parable can be considered an allegory, not every allegory is a parable in the same sense [6]. For example, Nathan's address to David in 2 Samuel 12:1-4 is an allegorical narrative [6].
Jesus explained that he spoke in parables because "seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand" [7]. This suggests that parables served not only to reveal truth to those who were receptive but also to obscure it from those who were not [7]. The parables of Jesus are numerous and cover a wide range of topics, from the wise and foolish builders to the treasure hid in a field [3].
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”
- 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”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:2 (LEB) — I will offer a parable with my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
- 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”
- 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”
- Ezekiel “Son of man, tell a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; -- Ezekiel 17:2”
- 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.”
- 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 4:2: 4:2 Parables are often stories (Luke 15:11-32; 18:1-8) but can also be proverbs (Mark 3:24-25; Luke 4:23), similes and metaphors (Matt 5:14; 10:16), riddles (Mark 7:15; 14:58), comparisons (Matt 13:33; Luke 15:3-7), examples (Luke 10:30-35; 12:16-21), or allegories (Mark 4:3-9; 12:1-12).”