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Parables
A parable is any brief story involving human characters illustrating a lesson. Parables of Jesus are a key part of the teachings of Jesus. Ask and answer here about the parables of various cultures of the world, their origin and interpretation.
545 Questions
Why did Jesus taught in Parables knowing no one will understand it?
Answer:
The whole world isn't supposed to understand the Truth of the Kingdom of God, yet. The world WILL understand when God's plan is done... but He isn't calling everyone, yet.
Jesus reveals His parables ONLY TO THOSE WHOM HIS FATHER IS CALLING NOW. It's these "predestined," "called-out-ones"... God's "elect" who are given the understanding of God's Truth at this time during this first 6000 years of man's trying to govern himself without his Creator's interference. Governments that are under the evil influence of man's chosen god, Satan... the god of this world.
Only a select few people whom God has been calling out from each of the generations of men since Abel are being given the understanding of God's Truth... because these people are "training for Kingdom rulership positions" to CO-RULE the coming Kingdom of God over the nations of the earth under Jesus Christ.
God is training up rulers who are OBEDIENT to His voice and His laws. Something to which carnal minded man is naturally rebellious.
"The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." (Rom.8:7 NIV)
Only a human mind (spirit) that is opened, changed, converted and receptive to God's Word can become or be trained to be obedient to the laws of God. And only God can open the human minds of those whom He is calling.
It's not that "no one" can understand Jesus' parables. It's just the future leaders of the coming Kingdom of God who are GIVEN the understanding of them for now. Jesus always explained them to His disciples in private, after the crowds were gone.
"The disciples came to Him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?' He replied, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU, but not to them..." (Matt.13:10-11 NIV).
"This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' " (Matt.13:13-15 NIV)
"But BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES BECAUSE THEY SEE, AND YOUR EARS BECAUSE THEY HEAR." (verse 16)
"...for I tell you the Truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 'Listen then to WHAT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER MEANS: When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (verses 17-19)
"The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since it has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly falls away. (verses 20-21)
"The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. (verse 22)
"But the one who received the Word that fell on good soil is the man who hears the Word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.'" (verse 23)
Jesus then told three more parables to the crowd: "the Kingdom of Heaven is like... the Kingdom of Heaven is like... the Kingdom of Heaven is like...".
"Then He left the crowd and went into the (His) house. His disciples came to Him and said, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field..." (verse 36).
And Jesus explained to them the symbols of the parable of the weeds... and told them three more "Kingdom parables" and said:
"'Have you understood all these things?'... 'Yes,' they replied." (verse 51)
God's Word explains His plan to those with the ears to hear. These people are being trained by Jesus through His Word to become "obedient servants" to God's laws. They are learning to care about other people... their brothers and sisters... about the future Family of God that shall one day live in the Kingdom of God being prepared for GOD'S FAMILY.
God's called-out-ones shall be fully trained... and have the full power of God... to rule over the nations when the time comes. It won't be like Bush's takeover of Iraq, where confusion reigned in the resulting ABSENCE of government leadership once Saddam was removed.
"In the time of those kings. the God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever." (Dan.2:44 NIV)
"But the saints of the Most High will receive the Kingdom and will possess it forever - yes, for ever and ever." (Dan.7:18 NIV)
"Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS - he will rule them with an iron scepter. he will dash them to pieces like pottery..." (Rev.2:25-27 NIV).
Someone understands Jesus' parables. They are the "first generation" of God's Children in the process of learning obedience, and growing and developing in Godly love and character. They are the future leaders of God's growing Family.
The Father has "many mansions" (chambers, offices, jobs, positions) to fill in His preparation of His Kingdom. And when they're filled, He will send His Son back to earth with many crowns to give to His faithful and obedient Children.
"Jesus said to them (His disciples), 'I tell you the Truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt.19:28 NIV)
Someone understands Jesus' parables.
How long was the prodigal son gone?
We don't really know because the father is not mentioned after the son had left. Possibly we can say his attitude was one of forgiveness towards his son because the father readily accepted his son when he returned.
This varies with the Parable.
For example, the parable of the lost son, teaches us about God's forgiveness and patience as well as His willingness to have us if we repent. It also teaches of the bad attitudes of some.
What is the literal meaning a parable?
A parable is a story with a moral, or a story that teaches a particular lesson. It usually involves familiar people, places or objects, which differentiates it from a fable. The story is short, succinct and to-the-point. Whilst the word is not restricted to the purely spiritual, it is most commonly associated with the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Parables are used to relate everyday understanding to those things which are spiritual. The hearer can picture in their head things physical and in their heart things that are spiritual. As we relate the two, we gain spiritual understanding. Many of Christ's parables had hidden meanings that confounded the educated ones of His days - the Scribes and Pharisees - but held truths which could be understood by those with ears to hear. Read Mark chapter 4
Why in the bible were Samaritans considered second class citizens?
The Samaritan were the inhabitants of Samaria, the province that had been the (northern) Kingdom of Israel. They thought of themselves as the descendants of the original Israelites, while the Jews believed that they were a mixture of pagans and the remaining Israelites not deported.
The hostility that existed between the Jews and the Samaritans was due to religious differences. The Samaritans did not accept all the books of the Jewish Bible, believing them to glorify the people of Judah. The Jews had invaded Samaria during the second century BCE and destroyed their temple on Mount Gerizim, insisting that God could only be worshipped at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Even though Judea and Samaria were both under Roman control in the first century, there was a great deal of emnity between the two nations. A Samaritan who entered Judea would be despised, as would a Jew who entered Samaria.
Who was Jesus talking to when he told the parable of the workers in the vineyard?
This parable is found in Matthew 20:1-16 and ends with the words:
16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. This statement links it with the previous discussion Jesus was having with His disciples concerning themselves, as in: 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
This connection makes it likely He was addressing the parable to the disciples who had demonstrated their willingness to be laborers together in His vineyard.
Why did jesus teach us with parables?
* Parables are what Christ used in the Bible to teach lessons. He used them to teach lessons to the children and everyone else, though only those who were willing to follow Him actually learned their true meaning. == == * Jesus told parables while He was teaching, to help us understand what He was telling us. == == * To confuse those who are not Jesus' direct disciples.Luke 8:9And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. == == * Parables have been used in a number of different contexts as a method of teaching. In the New Testament the Greek word parabole means 'a placing beside' or a 'placing of one thing beside another' with the idea of making a comparison. The parable is generally used to describe a teaching or story which is drawn from either nature or human experience, the aim of which is to teach or illustrate a spiritual lesson. There is a distinction between a parable which uses earthly things and gives them a spiritual meaning, and a fable which gives things attributes which they do not normally have naturally.
* Jesus frequently taught in parables in which He frequently taught truths connected with the kingdom of God. It has been noted by some that Jesus' withholding of the true meaning of the parables was a judgment upon them due to their being in some manner unworthy. Edersheim expands on this when he states in relation to them "They are all occasioned by some unreceptiveness on the part of the hearers, and that, even when the hearers are professing disciples." (Alfred Edersheim:The Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah, p400)
* Thus, the secret of the parables was most certainly available to all who sincerely sought it with a heart that was right. The spiritual analogy was not for those who did not wish to submit themselves and to follow Jesus as their master and so it remained hidden from them. Their lack of submission and receptiveness was their choice. At other times Jesus spoke plainly enough, as well as through His works.
* Jesus spoke in Parables because he learnt this method from his training in India and Tibet.
What is the theme in the story of the prodigal son?
The parable of the prodigal son is the story of a young man who wanted his whole fortune and to leave and find his own way in the world. So, his father gives him everything. The young man splurges everything and soon is without anything. He decides to look for a job, and finds one in feeding pigs. The young man is in so much need to eat that he is envious of the pigs. He decides to go home and tell his father that he is not worthy to be his son and instead should be his slave. His father, meanwhile had been waiting for him the whole time. THe young man comes home, tells his father, but his father immediatly puts his best robe on the boy, gives him his ring, and kills the calf and prepares a feast for him. The boys brother, however, is not happy because he stayed with his father the whole time and yet he never got a feast.
Jesus said that the moral of the story is that there is more rejoicing over one that enters the kingdom of heaven than 1,000 who were already there. But this story goes further than just rejoicing.
It goes to show that we as sinners have run from our loving father. Instead of hating us for the rest of our lives, instead, God (our Father) welcomes us home when we come.
What is the subject of a parable that tells of the growth of the kingdom?
The grain of mustard seed (Matt. 13:31; Mark 4:31-32; Luke 13:19).
What is a parable that Jesus taught?
Jesus' parables were stories from everyday life use to illustrate a spiritual point or message. To keep those blinded by their pride in the dark, and to bring into the light those who were humble in heart.
Do Hindus believe that the gita is sacred?
Gita is sacred because it is the depository of ancient Hindu wisdom. Most people think that Gita is divine and the record of what Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, the chief of Pandava army in the battle of Mahabharata at Kurukshetra, when Arjuna wavered in his duty to fight.
What's a story similar to the parable of the talents?
Answer:
Jesus preached parables constantly about the coming Kingdom of God (or as Matthew wrote, the Kingdom of 'HEAVEN')
These stories are actually "prophecies" one day to be fulfilled when the Kingdom comes to earth.
Jesus spoke the parable of the talents to His disciples is His chronological explanation of the "signs" of the end times men refer to as the Olivette Prophecy," beginning in Matthew 24. By the end of chapter 24, Jesus has returned with the Kingdom of God and is beginning to judge the nations... and is weeding out dissidents and would-be troublemaker's
In Matthew 25, Jesus informs His disciples of His impending "judgments" upon them according to their individual performances (their works) while He is away in the "far country" of "heaven" when He returns in the parables of the "Ten Virgins" and the "Talents."
The talent was a measurement of money. But a talent is also an individual's "UNIQUE NATURAL ABILITY" that every human seems to have in one capacity or other. We all have our natural abilities as well as our weaknesses.
And since the monetary "talent" is Caesar's... it is evident that Jesus is not talking about money... but of the "talents" and abilities that God gives to men.
Each of His disciples... and everyone whom He calls out from the world... He expects to produce some form of "increase" toward the coming "harvest" at the end of the age. Everyone's talents are different.
God expects us to use our God-given abilities for good. The Man who went to the far country (Jesus, ascended into heaven) "...delivered unto them His goods... to every man according to HIS SEVERAL ABILITY..." (Matt.25:14-15).
And when He returns with His Kingdom, He will demand an accounting of His "servants" as to what they have done with the talents and abilities with which they have been blessed.
There is responsibility with God... not eternal blissful irresponsibility. God is working... preparing His Kingdom for His future Family to live in. And those whom He is calling during this phase of His plan shall become the first generation of His Children to be the leaders of the main body of His Family that shall be born during Judgment Day, a thousand years after Jesus returns. (see Revelation 20) They should be training and improving themselves in the Word of God NOW... in Christ... to be the best Child of God they can be.
God's called out ones are BEING JUDGED NOW... and at the moment of Jesus' return... not on Judgment Day.
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (I Peter 4:17)
Modern professing Christianity makes being a follower of Christ seem a mere matter of "believing"... without teaching what it is that we should be believing. Christians should be believing what Jesus SAYS. They should be believing the Bible. Christianity is faith AND works. God's coming judgment on all men will be according to his works.
Notice also in Matthew 25, the parable of the Ten Virgins. If the ten virgins represent ALL CHRISTIANS extant on the earth at the time of the return of the Bridegroom (Christ)... then ONLY HALF OF ALL CHRISTIANS WILL BE READY FOR HIM!
The parable of the talents should be a fair warning to professing Christians to get serious about the service they should be providing to their Master, the King who shall demand an accounting of His servants when He comes.
What book of the bible contains the parable of the prodigal sons?
The parable of the prodigal son is found only in Luke'sgospel, chapter 15.
What are the purposes of using parables?
Parables are both an act of mercy and condemnation. It is mercy because they do not understand the parable thus having a less severe judgement. It is codemnation because they should have sought it's meaning. Jesus ultimatley used parables to find out who was hungry spiritually. His disciples many times asked Him for the meaning of the parables after he told it. "So that seeing they may see and not see and so that hearing they may hear and not hear."
He was a Priest ( of the Jewish faith, in modern terms a presiding or chief Rabbi) He walked by the crime scene unperturbed ( Not on my Watch, so to speak).
Why did Jesus teach the parable?
Jesus' disciples asked Him this question:
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. -- Matthew 13:10,11
In His reply, Jesus distinguished between the unbelieving crowd and the believing disciples. The crowd, a cross-section of the nation, was obviously rejecting Him, though their rejection would not be complete until Jesus was crucified on the cross. They would not be permitted to know the mysteries (secrets) of the kingdom of heaven, whereas His true followers would be helped to understand.
How can you explain the parable of the sower in Matthew chapter 13?
An explaination of the parable is given in Luke 8:9 and Mark 4:10.
Basically the parable is about the preaching of the word, the planting of the word of God in peoples hearts and the bearing of fruit in the hearts of people.
the seed is the word of God, the message about the kingdom of God
the birds represent Satan, the devil
the soils represent the different states of people's hearts
the fruit or lack of fruit shows the different responses to the word of God
the sun represents persecution
In this parable Jesus explains , and makes it very clear that we all our very precious in the sight of god, and he has no desire to see that any one of us is lost for ever. So he will go and see that we are not lost.
What can Christians learn from the story the parable of the good Samaritan?
The story of the Good Samaritan has many meanings, depending on how you look at it. Now, you can look at it as a very vague meaning, and say that it means you should help everyone whenever you get a chance, no matter what.
Or, you can pick every piece apart.
First, the man was going "down from Jerusalem to Jericho."
Jerusalem is the Holy City, or at least it was then. I'm not sure what everyone considers that holy city today, but then, it was the City of God. Down the hill, there is a city called Jericho, and that was the City of Sin.
You can look at that as the man sinned, and he was lead away from God. When you sin, what does that mean? It means that you are lead away from the Lord.
Okay... Second, he "fell into the hands of robbers."
The robbers took everything he had. Just like Satan will do, if you allow sin and temptation to control your life.
Third, a priest came by, and left him there.
You can pass this off by saying that the priest was selfish and blah blah blah. Or you can look at it like this:
A priest is someone who's close to the Lord. But he can't save you from your sins. He can try to lead you in the right path, but he cannot save you from sin.
Fourth, the Levite passed by and left the man laying on the side of the road.
Again, he couldn't save man from sin.
Fifth, a Samaritan walked by and saved him.
What defines someone as a Samaritan? He is a half-breed. He's half Jew, and half.... I forget, but it's not really important for this answer. Anyway, he's half.
Who else was half and half in those days? Jesus Christ. And who can save you from sin? Jesus Christ. In this story, the good Samaritan symbolizes as Jesus.
Next, the Smaritan took care of the man.
Jesus takes care of us, his followers and his people, just as the Samaritan took care of the man.
Lastly, it says, "The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'"
The Samaritan paid for the man's expenses. What was Jesus sent to Earth to do? He was sent to Earth to pay for our sins.
So in short, the story means that men, priests, or any other creature, can NOT save you from sin. The only person or being that can save you from sin is the Lord, and he will pay for you sins on his own account.
This varied. Sometimes it was just His disciples, although most times it seems there were various other people present. These would have been either additional followers of Jesus or else those interested, either in Jesus' teaching in terms of wanting to follow Him or find out more about Him or those who were interested since they were opposed to Him and wanted to trap Him. On one occasion He told a parable which was directed against His religious opponents, They saw this and were not happy.
Did Jesus tell the story of the good samaritan?
Jesus told the parable of "The good Samaritan". The Samaritans were hated by the Jews. However when a Jew had been robbed and beaten the only person that would stop to help was a Samaritan. His own people passed him by and did not want to get involved. Jesus was telling us that we should help others regardless of their background, race, religion or any other differences. We are all one people and we should help each other. Just as God loves us all we should love each other. We may not love what others are doing but we are to love them as a person. Help those in need, pray for those that need prayer. Thus Jesus Himself did not do anything directly in the story of the Good Samaritan, although He certainly lived by the principles He taught.
Which book of the bible contains the parable of the good samaritan?
The parable of the 'good Samaritan' is found at : Luke 10:30-37
What year was the parable of the Good Samaritan told?
Oh, honey, the parable of the Good Samaritan was told around the time Jesus was strutting his stuff on Earth, so we're talking about the 1st century AD. No need to dig out your history books, just remember it's all about helping your neighbor, no matter how shady they may seem. Keep spreading that love, darling!
What is the point of the parable the good samaritan?
A Jew is beaten by highwaymen whilst traveling to Jericho. A priest comes by and rejects his moral duty to help him, and walks on by. A Levite, who is also morally obliged, does the same. A Samaritan, who is despised by Jews, sees the man and helps him recover and also pays for him to stay at an inn.
