Jesus and the Use of Parables

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Much of Jesus’ teaching was through parables, which he utilized as a method of illustrating insightful and divine truths. Biblical scholar Madeleine Boucher informs audiences that “the importance of the parables can hardly be overestimated (Boucher, 1977).” Rather than representing simple anecdotes, each parable displays a deeper meaning. Comprehending the Gospel Parables requires an understanding of the definition of a parables, Jesus’ reason for speaking in parables, and the purpose of parables.

The parables of Jesus are mainly found in the three Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Boucher writes, “The parables are generally regarded by scholars as among the sayings which we can confidently ascribe to the historical Jesus; they are, for the most part, authentic words of Jesus (Boucher, 1977).” Representing a key part the teachings of Jesus, it is estimated that they form approximately one third of his recorded teachings (Wiersbe, 1982). A common belief is that Jesus spoke in parables so that his audience might better grasp the point behind his message. According to Matthew 13:10-7, however, he did not expect everyone to comprehend them. In Matthew 13:10, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak in parables?” He replied to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables (The Holy Bible: New International Version, 1986).” His reason for this being, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven(The Holy Bible: New International Version, 1986).” He spoke to them in parables because of the hardness of their hearts. Through this, “Jesus effectively separated the...

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...provide insight into heavenly and spiritual concepts. Furthermore, they present a much richer knowledge of the values we receive from the Kingdom of God.

References

Boucher, M. (1977). The Mysterious Parable: A Literary Study, Volumes 6-10. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.

Dodd, C. H. (1961). The Parables of the Kingdom. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

Getty-Sullivan, M. A. (2007). Parables of the Kingdom: Jesus and the Use of Parables in the Synoptic Tradition. Liturgical Press.

McKeehan, D. J. (2007). Why Parables? Retrieved from The Purpose Driven Church: http://www.purposedrivenchurch.net/pdf/Why%20Parables.pdf

Perkins, P. (2011). Imagining the Kingdom: Jesus Tells Parables. Bible Today, 223-227.

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1986). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1982). Meet Yourself in the Parables. S+U Publishers.

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