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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
How do you write an introduction to parables?
You don't say if this is writing about parables in general or about some specific parable.
However you could start by saying where the word parable comes from: Greek word, two parts one meaning alongside and the other to throw or cast
and then define what a parable is:
a parable is an illustration to explain a truth, a parable puts something familiar alongside something unfamiliar
What are some examples of parable?
parables are comparisons of things one of which is understood the other not ie. heaven and the pearl of great price. We can't grasp what heaven will be like but know it is worth buying the pearl of great price because we know the value of the pearl. This gives us an idea of the value of heaven.
Examples in the Bible:
2 Samuel 12: 1-4 - the poor man who had raised a single lamb.
Isaiah 5:1-6 - the vineyard which does not thrive
Matthew 13: 45,46 - The pearl of great price.
Matthew 13:3-9 - The sower
Luke 10:25-37 - The good Samaritan
Another answer:
The above noted New Testament passages and everywhere else throughout the four gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke and John] where Jesus speaks publicly, are examples of parables.
Parables are prophecies. The purpose of them was to HIDE THE MEANING of what He was saying FROM the general masses:
"He [Jesus] used many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were able to understand. In fact, in His pubic teaching He taught ONLY WITH PARABLES, but afterward when He was alone with His disciples, HE EXPLAINED THE MEANING TO THEM." (Mark 4:33-34 NLT)
"In fact"... the entire book of Revelation, which Jesus revealed to John, IS A PARABLE that has never been understood by the general public... but is intended only for God's servants to drink in, consume, chew on, digest, and understand:
"This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God [the Father] gave Him concerning events that will happen soon. An angel was sent to God's servant John so that John could share that revelation WITH GOD'S OTHER SERVANTS... God blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen." (Rev.1:1-3 NTL)
Why parables are not important?
Parables are just as much spritual in nature as they are literal. While relating to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the meanings get much more deeper and effectual in a true believers life.
No man could have written these except Jesus Christ, who was also God incarnate.
Peace
What is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus?
Many christians believe that the Rich man and Lazarus is an actual event that Jesus was telling. And they believe that it supports their belief in an eternal hell fire for the lost.
But the "parable" of the rich man and Lazarus is just that, a PARABLE. It is an illustration where Jesus is teaching us some important lessons.
One being that if we profess to be God's children like the Pharisees did, then we need to actively go out and help those in need, like Lazarus. Otherwise, if we don't we will be held accountable and judged accordingly.
The parable also teaches us that once our destiny is fixed for saved or lost, there can be no changing it. If we are saved when Jesus returns, then we are forever saved. And if lost, we are forever lost. It also shows the teaching of Purgatory to be false.
Additional Comments:
Parables are spoken in an allegorical sense. To this extent, Jesus was telling the story to the crowd that surely had Priests and scribes present. Jesus often spoke out to this group of haughty and money-hungry people to correct them.
Some have pointed to the rich man as being dressed in purple garments like the Pharisees and their scribes. These then would represent the only remaining 'chosen' or royal children of God at the time - the Jewish people (see Romans 9:3-5). The beggar Lazarus would represent the pagan or Gentiles (see Ephesians 2:12) who would soon become part of the 'bosom of Abraham' via their faith in Christ as their Savior (Read Romans 11).
Here it is the 'blind stupor' of the Jews (see Matthew 13:13 and Romans 11:8) in not accepting Him who came to them first as Messiah. Some would now say that Jesus used this parable to show the fate that awaited the Jewish nation because of the unbelief and faithlessness which led them to reject him as the Messiah. The nation-state Israel as well as many Jews throughout the world still suffer from that fate to this very day. However, the time is coming when God will pour on the Jews the Spirit of grace and supplication (Ezekiel 39:39); then they will look on Christ whom they pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn (Zec. 12:10).
A prodigal is a person who gives away their money too often and very foolishly. The prodigal son in the Bible is a good lesson for many people to learn on.
- This was a common way for Rabbis to teach at the time. Explain a part of the Law or Prophets, then tell a parable to illustrate the point taught.
- Sometimes he wanted to direct the message to some in the audience but hide it from others (Matthew 22:15-21). Those who didn't bother to find out what he meant, left confused (Matthew 13:13-15, Matthew 13:9+36).
- Most of his parables were worded in terms the least educated of the common people could understand as well as, if not better than the highly educated religious leaders. This often insulted those leaders (Matthew 13:15, Luke 10:21, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Matthew 11:25).
A parable (or story/illustration) is a proven way to teach successfully, because it :
- holds the attention of the hearers
- stirs up thinking ability
- stirs up emotions, reaching the conscience and the heart, and motivating listeners
- serves as a memory aid
- remains applicable for ANY age, at any time. So, since Jesus was KNOWN by terms such as 'good teacher' (Luke 18:18, Matthew 19:16) he would, and did, freely use this method.
What is the message of the ten virgins to you as christian?
That you should always be ready. Along with the verse "Be ready in season and out of season."
How did the priest help the wounded man In The Parable of the Good Samaritan?
It was not a priest who helped the wounded man, but a Samaritan.
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Another answer to add more detail:
According to the Bible, this was an illustration by Jesus, as he answered the question raised by a person 'versed in the law' of Moses.
The man, trying to appear righteous, wanted to know what he had to do to inherit everlasting life. Luke 10:25-29
By the time Jesus arrived as Messiah, worship of God had become nothing but empty man made laws(Mark 7:13, Matthew 15:7-9). The PRIESTS and LEVITES, the Jewish leaders of the day, showed a complete lack of concern for the poor and needy, and had failed to teach the people about God and the meaning behind the Mosaic law code. (Luke 16:14; 20:47; Matthew 15:5, 6)
Jesus gave this illustration to remind people of this meaning, and what 'love of neighbor' meant, so in this illustration, a priest and a Levite, on seeing an injured Jewish man, walked past him on the opposite side of the road rather than turn aside to help him.-Luke 10:30-37.
It was the Samaritan, a culture hated by the Jews, who stopped and
"bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine upon them. Then he mounted him upon his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two de‧nar′i‧i, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him, and whatever you spend besides this, I will repay you when I come back here.'
(a denarii was a type of money equaling a day's wage).
So, the Samaritan showed true brotherly love.
I most definitely see myself in the role of the prodigal son.
What is the theme of the parable of the good samaritans?
The moral lesson here is no matter who is in trouble, you should be willing to help the person.
Brief summary on the Parable of the Sower help anyone?
The parable of the Sower is in Matthew 13:3-9. Then in Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus explains the parable of the Sower.
When a person hears the Gospel or a message on how to come to God in salvation, their heart determines their understanding. 1) If you do not understand what is being said the devil (Satan) comes and takes that word out of your heart. This is the person who receives the word by the wayside. 2) The person who receives the word with joy, but it remains only a short while, this is the person who receives the "Seed" on stony ground and the 'seed" does not take root and the bible says this is because of persecution or tribulation in your life. 3) The person who receives the 'seed" on thorny ground accepts it but the cares of the world and riches etc choke the "seed" and it is gone. 4) But the person who hears the word and it is received on good ground, they understand it and accept it and they bear fruit.
You can not save your self. Salvation is a gift from God. He is the one who chooses a person for salvation. You can do nothing about it unless He calls you. Pray to God and ask Him to show you the way to His Son, Jesus Christ.
What were the actions of the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
A priest and a Levite (both spiritual 'leaders' the nation of Israel), walked past the injured man on the opposite side of the road rather than turn aside to help him. (Luke 10:30-37)
Who are the audience inthe parable of the lost sheep?
This parable is found in the New Testament book of Luke chapter 15 verses 3-7. The first verse tell us who the audience is:
Luke 15:1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.
What did the priest do for the wounded man in The parable of the good samaritan?
The priest did nothing , but went on ahead after taking a look at the wounded man.
What are the connections between the sheep and goats parable and the 21st century?
This parable is talking about a time in the future when Jesus will judge the nations. This is prophesied in Joel:
Joel 3:1 "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,
Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.
I think there are no direct connections to the 21st century but remember nobody knows the day or time when Christ will return.
What did jesus mean by leaving the flock and going after the one?
He loves all his sheep and cares enough to take the time to go find and rescue the one lost sheep instead of just writing it off and being satisfied with the remainder of flock that he already has.
For further consideration:
"...Take heed that ye despise [to think against; disesteem] not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.
"How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." (Matt.18:10-13)
Of this, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentarysays:
"...Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones."
No. A parable is a story in which everyday people, things or actions represent spiritual persons, things or concepts. John 3:16 is presented as a statement of fact.
Parables are important as they make the common man understand , as it was an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Why is the prodigal son an effective lesson?
The parable was told as a rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time. Jesus came to call the nation of Israel to repent but the scribes and Pharisees thought Jesus should be talking with them the "spiritual leaders" not the common people.
The father in the parable represents God and shows His desire for Israel to repent and turn to Him. The son represent the nation of Israel and the oldest son represents the scribe and Pharisees.
People often use this parable to illustrate how God is waiting for people to repent and turn to Him. It is effective because it is an interesting story which people can associate with but this not the primary interpretation.
What is the moral lesson of the parable of the good shepherd?
The lesson taught is Christ is the only way to God. The occasion was the Pharisees rejecting the testimony of miracle (John 10:1-16).
What do the four soils represent in the parable of sower?
Four:
The hard-packed soil of the "wayside" (which the "seed" cannot penetrate - Matthew 13:4);
The "stony" soil (where the plant can't establish a root - verse 5);
The "thorny" ground (where the desirable crop is overwhelmed by the worthless - verse 7);
And the "good ground" of verse 8, where the seed brings forth abundantly.
Jesus later explains to His disciples the spiritual implications of these mental images in verses 18-23.
What is your reaction about of the story good Samaritan?
I wish I were like the good Samaritan. More kind and loving, even to the people I don't get along with.
What is the reason for different interpretations of parables?
There are a number of possible answers to this:
People may not be used to reading things in context.
People may not see who the parable is being addressed to.
People may not understand the analogy or lesson being taught through the parable.
People may feel they have a right to produce their own interpretation and these will vary.
Explain a parable and what it means to the reader?
A parable is essentially a teaching tool that presents weighty, spiritual concepts through ordinary, everyday symbolism. ("Parable" is from the Greek word parabole, which means, "a placing of one thing by the side of another; a comparing; an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated.") Thus God's word becomes a seed, and the human heart becomes the soil into which it's sown, for example.
Parables are actually more beneficial to the modern reader than they were the audiences to which they were spoken. Their meanings were deliberately veiled from all but Jesus' closest disciples (Matthew 13:10, 11); but thanks to the explanations the gospel writers recorded (and spiritual illumination from other scripture), the meanings of all Jesus' parables can be determined and understood.
