Parables
Introduction. As He began His ministry, “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,” and “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” (Mt. 4:23). His message was simple yet powerful and “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mt 7:28). This continued for over a year, but with each sermon, the animosity of the Jewish scribes and Pharisees continued to grow. Jesus did not shrink back from telling them the truth, but they took His words as an affront to their authority. As the conflict increased, they began asking questions, “that they might accuse Him.” When He didn’t answer as they wanted, “they were filled with rage,” and “plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.” They began to slander Him saying “This man does not cast out demons, but by the prince of the demons.” They also made light of all His miracles as if they proved nothing by asking, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” (Mt. 12:1-42; Lk. 6:11).
After all of this, Jesus made a decision. “On the same day,” “He spoke many things to them in parables” and “without a parable He did not speak to them.” The disciples immediately noticed the change in His teaching style and “came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’” (Matt. 13:10). His answer was simple. In these parables, the moment of judgment had begun. He had tried to teach these leaders the truth, but they had rejected it. Yet they went even further: “You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” (Luke 11:52). These parables created a unique opportunity. For those who would ponder and ask questions, great truths would be revealed. But for those who were already opposed to Him, they would see them as meaningless stories, thus ignoring them and possibly even losing interest in His teaching.
Jesus’ ministry was changing. Those who were humble and willing to submit were now being greatly blessed by these parables. But the proud and rebellious leaders, whose hardened heart had rejected the truth, would learn nothing. Through parables, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Mt. 13:11). Jesus was so wise, He could preach the same lesson to both groups; one would see and learn the mysteries of the kingdom, while the rest would see and hear, but would will learn nothing.
In this way, the prophesy of Isaiah was being fulfilled. Just as God had sent Isaiah to reveal truth that they would refuse to hear or see, Jesus came to do exactly the same thing. Because of the rebellion in their hearts, the scribes and Pharisees could see what He was doing, but not understand. They could hear His lessons and His words of truth, but not perceive. It is amazing that God’s clear words could be taught by the Master Teacher and certain people still couldn’t understand or perceive their meaning. Isaiah’s prophesy gave the reason: “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed.” (Mt. 13:15). How each responded to these parables would prove which category they would fall into.
Jesus then revealed the profound truth about parables. First, within the parables Jesus gave what will enlighten the eyes of the righteous! “Many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Mt. 13:17). What a sad and bitter paradox. The Jewish leaders were missing the very things their righteous forefathers had sought to see. Second, Jesus spoke in parables “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.’” (Mt. 13:35). Thus the parables are a treasure store of what many prophets and righteous men wanted to see. They reveal things that God had kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Mt. 13:1-17; 33-34).
Reading the parables should create great excitement and anticipation. Like panning for gold when we know it is there, we are reading parables where we know great revelations of truth and insight can be gained. Parables reveal more about the eternal judgment than all that is revealed in the Old Testament! They bring into the light that “the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father,” while the wicked, will face a “furnace of fire with the wailing and gnashing of teeth.” They also reveal the four distinct hearts of sinners who hear the gospel. If we are wise, we will carefully consider their words to be certain we have a good and honest heart. The kingdom of God is a treasure and a pearl of great price which we are expected to sell all that we have to obtain. Each parable contains hidden gems of wisdom and insight. If we ignore them, we lose both insight and understanding.
Trench’s “Notes on Parables,” lists 30 parables, but A. T. Robertson’s “A Harmony of the Gospels” lists 52. The reason for the difference is based on the definition and scope of the word “parable.” The Greek term used by Jesus was “para-bolé.” This term was simply shortened to “parable.” The prefix, “pará” is a preposition, used of things that are placed “beside” or “along side of” each other. If we lay our phone along side of our car keys, we would use “pará.” The verb “bállō,” is used of “throwing” a stone or “casting” a fishing net. When Jesus told a simple story about things in this world and “cast” it “along side of” a profound spiritual truth, it is a parable. Each parable is like a net Jesus used to cast into the unknown spiritual realm to bring back truths hidden from the foundation of the world.
Once we understand this definition of a parable, we can see that there are many things that could be classed as a parable that have not been designated as one. For example, when Jesus ended His sermon on the mount, He cast a simple story about two different men building a house. One built on a foundation of rock and another on sand. Then He brought back the spiritual truth that all who hear His words and do them are building on rock and all who hear His words, but don’t do them are building on sand. On the final day, many elaborate spiritual houses will come crashing down because they were not built on the foundation of His word. Thus though not identified as a parable, it clearly fits the definition of one. That same sermon spoke of savorless salt and a lamp under a basket as well as a gate and path to eternal life which is narrow and difficult, while the gate and path to destruction is broad and wide. False teachers are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Are these simple stories illustrating vital spiritual truths any different from those identified as parables?
When Jesus said “behold, a sower went out to sow,” He revealed a spiritual mystery to His disciples, but just a meaningless story to His enemies. Throughout the thirteenth chapter of Matthew Jesus “spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them.” He revealed that “the kingdom of heaven is:” “like a man who sowed good seed,” “like a mustard seed,” “like leaven,” “like treasure hidden in a field,” “like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,” and “like a dragnet.” This left all disciples, even those who live today with the keys to unlock the mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world.
Conclusion. Things have not changed. Even to this day, the parables present the same dual purpose. For those disciples who wish to understand what many prophets sought as mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world, the parables are a precious gold mine of truth, offering amazing nuggets of insight and understanding. For those who are not interested in the deeper spiritual realities they reveal, they are just interesting stories. Sadly some will lose their eternal soul because these simple stories convey vital truth that they needed to understand before they stand before the Lord.
After all of this, Jesus made a decision. “On the same day,” “He spoke many things to them in parables” and “without a parable He did not speak to them.” The disciples immediately noticed the change in His teaching style and “came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’” (Matt. 13:10). His answer was simple. In these parables, the moment of judgment had begun. He had tried to teach these leaders the truth, but they had rejected it. Yet they went even further: “You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” (Luke 11:52). These parables created a unique opportunity. For those who would ponder and ask questions, great truths would be revealed. But for those who were already opposed to Him, they would see them as meaningless stories, thus ignoring them and possibly even losing interest in His teaching.
Jesus’ ministry was changing. Those who were humble and willing to submit were now being greatly blessed by these parables. But the proud and rebellious leaders, whose hardened heart had rejected the truth, would learn nothing. Through parables, “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Mt. 13:11). Jesus was so wise, He could preach the same lesson to both groups; one would see and learn the mysteries of the kingdom, while the rest would see and hear, but would will learn nothing.
In this way, the prophesy of Isaiah was being fulfilled. Just as God had sent Isaiah to reveal truth that they would refuse to hear or see, Jesus came to do exactly the same thing. Because of the rebellion in their hearts, the scribes and Pharisees could see what He was doing, but not understand. They could hear His lessons and His words of truth, but not perceive. It is amazing that God’s clear words could be taught by the Master Teacher and certain people still couldn’t understand or perceive their meaning. Isaiah’s prophesy gave the reason: “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed.” (Mt. 13:15). How each responded to these parables would prove which category they would fall into.
Jesus then revealed the profound truth about parables. First, within the parables Jesus gave what will enlighten the eyes of the righteous! “Many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Mt. 13:17). What a sad and bitter paradox. The Jewish leaders were missing the very things their righteous forefathers had sought to see. Second, Jesus spoke in parables “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.’” (Mt. 13:35). Thus the parables are a treasure store of what many prophets and righteous men wanted to see. They reveal things that God had kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Mt. 13:1-17; 33-34).
Reading the parables should create great excitement and anticipation. Like panning for gold when we know it is there, we are reading parables where we know great revelations of truth and insight can be gained. Parables reveal more about the eternal judgment than all that is revealed in the Old Testament! They bring into the light that “the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father,” while the wicked, will face a “furnace of fire with the wailing and gnashing of teeth.” They also reveal the four distinct hearts of sinners who hear the gospel. If we are wise, we will carefully consider their words to be certain we have a good and honest heart. The kingdom of God is a treasure and a pearl of great price which we are expected to sell all that we have to obtain. Each parable contains hidden gems of wisdom and insight. If we ignore them, we lose both insight and understanding.
Trench’s “Notes on Parables,” lists 30 parables, but A. T. Robertson’s “A Harmony of the Gospels” lists 52. The reason for the difference is based on the definition and scope of the word “parable.” The Greek term used by Jesus was “para-bolé.” This term was simply shortened to “parable.” The prefix, “pará” is a preposition, used of things that are placed “beside” or “along side of” each other. If we lay our phone along side of our car keys, we would use “pará.” The verb “bállō,” is used of “throwing” a stone or “casting” a fishing net. When Jesus told a simple story about things in this world and “cast” it “along side of” a profound spiritual truth, it is a parable. Each parable is like a net Jesus used to cast into the unknown spiritual realm to bring back truths hidden from the foundation of the world.
Once we understand this definition of a parable, we can see that there are many things that could be classed as a parable that have not been designated as one. For example, when Jesus ended His sermon on the mount, He cast a simple story about two different men building a house. One built on a foundation of rock and another on sand. Then He brought back the spiritual truth that all who hear His words and do them are building on rock and all who hear His words, but don’t do them are building on sand. On the final day, many elaborate spiritual houses will come crashing down because they were not built on the foundation of His word. Thus though not identified as a parable, it clearly fits the definition of one. That same sermon spoke of savorless salt and a lamp under a basket as well as a gate and path to eternal life which is narrow and difficult, while the gate and path to destruction is broad and wide. False teachers are like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Are these simple stories illustrating vital spiritual truths any different from those identified as parables?
When Jesus said “behold, a sower went out to sow,” He revealed a spiritual mystery to His disciples, but just a meaningless story to His enemies. Throughout the thirteenth chapter of Matthew Jesus “spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them.” He revealed that “the kingdom of heaven is:” “like a man who sowed good seed,” “like a mustard seed,” “like leaven,” “like treasure hidden in a field,” “like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,” and “like a dragnet.” This left all disciples, even those who live today with the keys to unlock the mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world.
Conclusion. Things have not changed. Even to this day, the parables present the same dual purpose. For those disciples who wish to understand what many prophets sought as mysteries hidden from the foundation of the world, the parables are a precious gold mine of truth, offering amazing nuggets of insight and understanding. For those who are not interested in the deeper spiritual realities they reveal, they are just interesting stories. Sadly some will lose their eternal soul because these simple stories convey vital truth that they needed to understand before they stand before the Lord.