Introduction to the Parables

Mike Johnson

“All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them.”  (Mt. 13:34)

This passage speaks of the beginning of Christ’s teaching by parables.  It also indicates that one of the primary methods employed by Him in his instruction was the parabolic method.  They appear throughout the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and make up more than one-third of the recorded teaching of Jesus.

The word “parable” (parabole) occurs around 50 times in the New Testament.  Most of the parables are in Matthew and Luke, while a few are in the book of Mark.  John uses a form of the word, but the word he uses is “paroimia,” and it is translated as “figure” by the RSV and “figure of speech” by the NASB.

The parabolic teaching method seems to be used exclusively by Christ in the New Testament.  There is a misconception that Jesus was the inventor of parables, but parables were used frequently among the Jews during this time.  In his book The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Edersheim points out, “Perhaps no other mode of teaching was so common among the Jews as that by parables (p. 589).”

What Is a Parable?

A parable involves the idea of “placing one thing by the side of another.”  A general definition would be “a comparison of two objects for the purpose of teaching.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says a parable “ordinarily signifies an imaginary story, yet . . . its details could have actually transpired, the purpose of the story being to illustrate and inculcate some higher spiritual truth.” Thayer, in his Greek Lexicon, describes the parable as, “A narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God are . . . figuratively portrayed.”

Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?

As noted, Jesus frequently taught by parables.  In Matthew 13, his disciples asked him (v. 10), “Why do You speak to them in parables?”  Apparently, Christ made an abrupt change in His teaching style, and His disciples wanted to know why.  He was questioned on many occasions and asked to give a reason for what he did (Mt. 9:11, 14; 15:2).  Sometimes, people who had ulterior motives questioned him, but here the disciples seem honest in their inquiry.

In verses 11-17, Jesus pointed out why He taught by parables.  We learn from these verses that the parable had a twofold purpose: to reveal and conceal.   In verses 11-13, he stated, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

Jesus, at first, did not speak in parables, but He adopted this method after His teaching was rejected.  The Pharisees had seen His miracles and heard His message, but because of their closed eyes and ears, they rejected Him as the son of God.

The “Parabolic Method” would reveal to those with the right hearts and conceal from the faultfinding Pharisees.  To the Pharisees (and people like them), the parables of Christ would seem silly and meaningless.  But, to those sincerely seeking truth, parables would allow an understanding of the kingdom’s mysteries.

We see a parallel today in how different people view the Bible.  Unbelievers who are only studying God’s Word to find contradictions in it and with a prejudiced mind will probably not get much from their endeavors.  In fact, they might falsely conclude that the Bible is of little value.  They would be like the Pharisees of Bible times.  To the Christian, in contrast, the Bible would be a book of great importance.  It is a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Ps 119:105).  In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul showed that different people could view God’s Word differently when he stated, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Also, in verse 24, the teaching of Christ is described as “. . . the power of God and the wisdom of God.” James 1:21 says that the Word of God can “save our souls.” Attitude is critical in gaining from God’s Word.

Verses 14 and 15 (Mt. 13) are from Isaiah 6:9-10.  Jesus applies these verses to the unbelievers of His day, describing them as having hearts waxed gross, ears dull of hearing, and closed eyes.  In contrast, verse 16 speaks of the disciples of Jesus by saying, “blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” Thus, as we noted, the “parabolic” form veils God’s truth from those who do not want it but reveals it to those who are ready and willing to understand it.

The parables of Jesus are also in fulfillment of prophecy.  Matthew 13:34 says, “. . . and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’”  Earlier, Jesus taught by direct teaching, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount, but at a certain point, he started speaking in parables, which fulfilled prophecy.

Conclusion

We need to study the parables of Christ and be willing to learn from them and apply them to our lives.