Parables

1
Parables
1. "An earthly story with a heavenly meaning?"

• 2. Greek (parabole) to cast along side of.
• Hebrew (mashal) a proverbial comparison.
• These words cover a range of figures of speech.

Is Like
Short Metaphor Simile
Long Allegory Parable
2
Parables
Characteristics
1. Unhistorical but not antihistorical

• 2. Often 3 principle characters

3. Unexpected turn of events
4. End Stress (Ryken)--the last line is the
punch, therefore most important.
5. Evidence of careful composition
6. Simple vocabulary
7. Little embellishment to the story lines or
characters
8. Setting, Story, Application
3
Parables
Rabbinic Parables
There are more than 2,000 Rabbinic parables that
span several centuries but not can be proven to
predate Jesus.
1. Begin To what shall I compare this
2. Use from lesser to greater logic
3. Short, with 2-3 main characters which often
compare the wicked and righteous
4. They use stock images
5. They may either reveal or conceal
4
Parables
Rabbinic Parables
How Jesus parables are different from other
Rabbis
1. Jesus parables were not always allegorical
(although they are in John)
2. They are all (35) about the Kingdom
3. Rabbinic parables reinforce conventional
wisdom and/or exegesis
4. The degree of explicit interpretation in the
rabbinic texts regularly exceeds that of the
Gospels
5
Parables
Why Use Parables
1. To reveal difficult truths in simple language
2. They are easy to remember
3. Stories are easy to listen to and gain
attention
4. They persuade people to action
5. To conceal truth
6
Parables
Concealing purpose of parables
"A parable is one of those stories in the Bible
which sounds at first like a pleasant yarn but
keeps something up its sleeve which pops out and
leaves you flat" A.M. Hunter, Interpreting
Parables, Westminster, 1976, p. 14.
Passages to Consider Isaiah 68-13 Matthew
1310-17 John 317-19 1236-43 Romans 115-14
7
Parables
Concealing is based on
1. Gods response to our sin.
2. Our refusal to listen. Like sleeping through
an alarm clock.
3. Gods foreknowledge
4. Mutual rejection of men and God (e.g.
Pharaoh).
5. Purging of the Remnant (Is. 611-13 Rom.
115-8).
6. Opening for the Gentiles (Rom. 119ff.)