The Parables of Jesus - Introduction

-“The parables of Jesus will always remain the very center and heart of the teachings of

Christ.  They summarize what Jesus thought and taught and lived.  They tell us what the

 good life is, what the real values of life are.  They speak to man, and bind principles

 upon him, in terms that he can understand.  They are plain, practical lessons for all ages,

 even as they depict a religion that is designed for all men” (Lightfoot, foreword)

-Let’s consider the definition of a parable

-The word “parable” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word, “parabole”.

 According to Vines Dictionary, “It signifies ‘a placing of one thing beside another’

 with a view to comparison… It is generally used of a somewhat lengthy utterance or

 narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances, the object of which is to set forth

 a spiritual lesson, e. g., those in Matt 13 and Synoptic parallels; sometimes it is used of

 a short saying or proverb, e. g., Matt 15:15; Mark 3:23; 7:17; Luke 4:23; 5:36; 6:39. It

 is the lesson that is of value; the hearer must catch the analogy if he is to be instructed

(this is true also of a proverb). Such a narrative or saying, dealing with earthly things

 with a spiritual meaning, is distinct from a fable, which attributes to things what does

 not belong to them in nature”.

-When we think of parables we normally think in terms of “stories” or “narratives”.  

  However, parables can also take on the form of short proverbs. (see references above)

-Facts Concerning the Parables

-Parables comprise more than one-third of the recorded teachings of Jesus.

-The other New Testament writers did not employ the use of parables as did Jesus.

  There are times in which they gave illustrations, examples and allegories (see Gal

  4:22-31, 1 Cor 9:24-25) but the use of parables remains a primary characteristic of

 Christ.

-However, Jesus was not the first to use parables.  Consider a couple of Old Testament

  examples:  Isa 5:1-7 and 2 Sam 12:1-7

-In regards to 2 Samuel 12:1-7, note what Neil R. Lightfoot wrote (p14):

     “This is the way that Jesus used the parables.  By telling a story that was true-to-life,

        he would draw a parallel between earthly affairs and heavenly things…He could

        arouse the curiosity of His audience by beginning a story, and they could follow Him

        all the way through without realizing where He was leading them.  Then all at once

        the hidden meaning of the story would strike them like a flash, and they could not

        contradict what He said.  This is what happened when Nathan told his parable.  The

        sins of David had lulled his conscience to sleep, and without knowing it David judged

        his own case and rightly pronounced the death-sentence against himself.”

-The number of parables (depending on the definition of the word that is used) is

  usually estimated to be 30 – 35.

-Through these parables, earthly illustrations are given to deliver important messages of

  spiritual truths.  One can benefit greatly from a study of them!