RPG Adults
WHAT IS A PARABLE?
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Matthew 13:1-9
Memory Verse: Matthew 13:9
“And he spake many things
unto them in parables…”
WHAT IS A PARABLE?
A parable is a short narrative with a spiritual teaching. The parables in the Gospels are true accounts of the people’s daily lives in Israel during Jesus’ days. A parable is simply defined as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Thus, parables are everyday events which teach eternal truths. Many tend to use parables as an illustration rather than to study them for their precious truths’ sake.
The Greek word translated as “parable” is to “throw alongside” or “cast near” something else for comparison. Therefore, parables in the Bible are everyday events placed side by side with spiritual truths. Another way to view parables is that it is an extended simile. An example of a simile is: “He eats like a pig.” The preposition “like” is used to compare the way he eats. An extended simile with many words is called a parable. Therefore, the commonly used phrase in the parables of Christ is “The kingdom of heaven is like…” Not all the parables begin with this phrase in the Bible (cf. Luke 16: parables of the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar). However, the final determinant factor is the content of the parable itself.
The main lesson is usually found at the end of the parable. The parables comprise significant words and embellishments to complete the story. The interpreter needs to distinguish between the two; otherwise, he may arrive at the wrong teaching. Since parables are accurate descriptions of everyday events that Jesus used to teach spiritual truths, the morality or unreasonable way of doing things in some parables is not the emphasis. For example, why would someone cast seeds on the way side, knowing the birds would consume them? This is wasteful. And the parable of the unjust steward seems to condone wrong.
Parables teach easy-to-remember truths. Once the spiritual truth of a parable is learned, remembering the parable reminds us of the spiritual truth. We cannot obey what we have forgotten. Thank God for parables.
THOUGHT: Do I love to study the parables of Jesus?
PRAYER: O Father, give me wisdom to understand Thy parables with a heart of obedience.