Introduction to the Parables

When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable.

—Luke 8:4

What is a Parable?

The biblical parables are brilliant, witty and creative stories that communicate a message. They draw a comparison and illustrate a point. They are the work of an artist—a literary artist. Parables strike at the heart of a matter in our lives and provide us with an opportunity to consider, change and grow. Understanding them properly enriches our knowledge of God and gives us wisdom for life.

About a third of Jesus' teaching in the Gospels are given in parables (Parables, 7). It is vital that we understand the way a parable serve as a didactic device and how to interpret them properly. It is noteworthy to point out that such story parables only appear in Jewish literature and in the gospels (Jewish Parables, 1-2). While all cultures have proverbs, wisdom sayings, and traditional stories that communicate knowledge and wisdom for life, there is something uniquely Jewish about story parables. Understanding the biblical parables in the context of Jewish rabbnic parables is insightful, although Jesus' teaching stands firm in His own authority as the Son of God. We need to seek an understanding of the biblical parables in the context of the New Testament and the time in which Jesus walked the earth and taught the people. Hence, 'the parables can only be understood when viewed in relationship to their historical situation' (Jewish Parables, 2).

The original Greek word for parable (parabolē) means 'putting things side by side' and serve as 'forms of teaching which present the listener with interesting illustrations from which can be drawn moral and religious truths,' designed to communicate 'a single truth or answer a single question.' Many of the 'parables of Jesus are not merely illustrations of general principles; rather they embody messages which cannot be conveyed in any other form' (NBD, 867). The Greek word for parable is derived from the meaning of 'set beside or parallel with', or to 'compare one with another,' denoting 'something parallel or a comparison, a likeness or even a wise saying' (Jewish Parables, 5). Brad H. Young explains the following (Jewish Parables, 3-4).

Jesus' parabolic teachings captured the imagination and the hearts of the people... Jesus' parables inspired the people... they function to convey a message... The parable allows the listener to conceptualize the relationship being taught in concrete terms. If a picture can express a thousand words, then a parable can express a thousand expositions. Parables can concisely convey religious complexities in remarkable simplicity.

The basic idea is of 'a comparison between two different things. Something is likened to something it is not.' The story in the parable is fictional yet draws a parallel to real life. 'This literary form consists of two parts: a picture part, or the story proper, and a reality part, or the comparison to which it is likened' (Basic Guide, 137). Parables are 'mini-dramas designed to teach a message by illustrating a resemblance between the source of the word-picture and its redescription in metaphor.' By these 'vivid stories' with 'rich imagery of language,' and often with a 'surprising twist' in the story, the speaker is communicting 'the divine message' (Parables, 3-5).

Parables was a method of teaching that evokes emotion, inspires creative imagination and causes a reaction. Parables are 'teaching aids that aim to clarify and to illustrate' (Jewish Parables, 2). There are short parables, more like proverbs; and there are story parables, longer stories to illustrated a point and communicate a message. Parables are didactic in nature: they teach, they communicate, they make people think with 'food for thought'; they shock, they surprise and they provoke; they reveal, they expose, and they instruct. A parable creates powerful images in the hearers' minds. It speaks to them and communicates the meaning without explicitly stating it. Such is the power of a parable. Its purpose is to educate and instruct in order to leave a lasting and memorable impression, at times even to shock the audience in order to cause a change of attitude or expose a false one (e.g., Luke 10:30-35; Luke 15). Parables and what they teach are easy to remember and pass on. Young explains as follows (Jewish Parables, 6):

Story parables usually contain human characters which are cast into a drama with a more or less realistic setting... Parable telling is far more than storytelling because it is intimately related to the context of the parabolist's message. The parable illustrates a truth by using a comparison and its message often has moral implications. The abstract is made concrete.... the story parables were always intended to elucidate and to illustrate.

A parable is not esoteric mystery or 'secret teaching.' A parable seeks to reveal not to conceal. 'The purpose of the parable was to instruct and not to concel Jesus' message' (Jewish Parables, 7). Judging by the reactions to Jesus' parables, the audience usually understood precisely what He communicated without stating it directly. Parables are a brilliant tool to convey a message by what the parable means without direct confrontation. It leaves the hearers with lasting impressions and food for thought.

What does a Parable teach?

Parables teach one main point. The parables 'were intended to illustrate one truth only' (NBD, 868). Parables teach moral truths and principles for life. They expose human behaviour and motive and point to the right way in life in view of God's commandments.

Our rabbis say: Let not the parable be lightly esteemed in your eyes, since by means of the parable a man can master the words of the Torah.

—Song of Songs Rabba 1:1, 8-9

Parables are ways to teach God's word. For Jews, it is to master the Torah, God's law. 'The reality of God is revealed in the word-picture of a parable.' These 'concrete illustrations... reach the heart through imagination. They challenge the mind on the highest intellectual level by using simple stories that made common sense out of the complexities of religious faith and human experience.' God's 'infinite majesty may be captured in vivid stories of daily life' (Parables, 3).

Jesus used parables to illustrate the kingdom of God and convey His message. We are wise not to esteem them lightly, and seek to understand their intended meaning and respond to its penetrating message with humility and teachability. The genius of Jesus and the power of His message come across brilliantly in His parables. Jesus is a master parable story-teller!

How should we interpret Parables?

A parable and an allegory are similar in some ways, but decidedly distinct in other ways. In an allegory each part or detail speaks of something or conveys the comparative messsage. The parable focuses on one main point. Robert H. Stein explains the main issue as follows (Basic Guide, 149):

The key to interpreting the parables is to remember that they are not extended allegories but that they tend to teach a single basic point.

The Church Fathers applied allegorical interpretation to the parables and often confused the two literary types. Stein gives arguably the most famous example (famous for the wrong reasons) of an allegorical interpretation of a parable. In the well-known Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35), according to the allegorical interpretation, 'the details in the picture part of the parable all have a corresponding point of comparison in the reality part.' Hence, the man going down to Jericho is Adam (the first human being who fell into sin); Jerusalem is the city of heavenly peace, Jericho signifies our fallen morality; the robbers are the demons, the beaten-up condition of the man signifies our sinful state of being spiritually dead; the priest and Levite represent the Old Testament and the Good Samaritan is Christ; the animal is the body of Christ, the inn is the church and the inn-keeper is the apostle Paul; the return of the Good Samaritan is the Resurrection of Christ (Basic Guide, 139-140). What are we to do with this fancy way of allegorically interpreting a simple parable? St. Augustine of Hippo is revered as one of the greatest Christian thinkers and theologians in history. How could be possibly object to his theology? After all, the interpretation is biblical in the sense that Adam fell into sin and Christ came to rescue us.

Applying the allegorical method to a parable is wrong because each literary type (genre) has its unique rules of interpretation. Just as we can't play football with tennis rules, we cannot use allegory for a parable. The parable is a literary type in its own right and understanding the intention of it is the key to proper and accurate interpretation. The details are not the main issue; the main point of the story and its comparison to reality is. Stein explains: 'If we do not press the details of the parable but are content with its own basic point of comparison, the parable does not cause confusion... In the study of the parable therefore we should seek the main point of the parable and not press the details.' We need to 'seek the meaning of its [parable's] original author.' Further, 'a parable focuses its emphasis and point on the end of the story' (Basic Guide, 141-144, emphasis added).

Parables are not mystical, nor to be interpreted allegorically (ascribing certain meanings to the parts). The details don't matter as much as the single point being made. Often the meaning of a parable is given by Jesus or the gospel authors. The given context and the reactions of the hearers are also hints at the meaning. Context plays a key role to understand who or what is being addressed. The key question we need to ask is, what is Jesus saying to His audience? Shedding light on the context is helpful to understanding the meaning of a parable. For example, when Jesus shared three related parables in Luke 15, we must identify the audience (two groups) in order to identify the 'two sons' in the third parable. Asking where the mother was in the third parable is irrelevant to the message conveyed. Noting the culmination of the third parable is the key to understanding what Jesus was addressing in view of the audience listening to His parables. The Parable of the Good Samaritan, the concluding words of Jesus are the ley to its meaning. The context is that of a theological discussion of the Law and how and to whom (the neighbour in this case) to apply it.

We invite you to enjoy the genius of Jesus in the parables and seek the meaning of what He taught. We encourage the reader to not only gain a theorical understanding of the parables, but to allow them to speak to your heart and stimulate reflection, change and growth, and ultimately, application.

Enjoy your study of The Parables!

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References

Brad H. Young, Jesus and His Jewish Parables: Rediscovering the Roots of Jesus Teaching. Tulsa, OK: Gospel Research Foundation, 1989.

_____. The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998.

I. Howard Marshall et al (ed.) New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition). Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.

Robert H. Stein. A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1994.