ᐅ What is a parable? What are parables in the Bible?

In the Bible there are various literary styles such as narrative, poetry and discourse. And among them are parables; specially taught by Jesus and that have an internal meaning that is sometimes not easy to understand.Advertisement

In life there are abstract concepts that are difficult to explain. But if it is explained through a story that has a practical application it can be easier to understand, that is why parables are presented in the Bible.

A parable is a story told to explain a complex truth through everyday examples. Jesus told parables to teach his disciples the gospel. A parable does not narrate things that necessarily happened; they are illustrative stories that reveal profound truths.Advertisement

How did Jesus use parables?

The parable of the Greek parable «παραβολή, ῆς, ἡ» that in his etymology means “compare«, «put one thing next to the other” either “draw a parallel» was common in the time of Jesus to teach.

The parables are easy to remember and use simple language for the listeners. In this way Jesus used practical examples such as farm work and fishing in his parables.

Jesus used parables to explain complicated topics like:

• Salvation. In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-8)
• the kingdom of heaven. In the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32)
• God’s forgiveness. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31)
• Love to neighbor. In the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
• The final judgement. In the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30)

Jesus usually answered people’s questions with parables. In fact, he spoke through parables to thousands of people, but explained the meaning to his disciples (Mark 4: 33-34).

See here: Is God a person?

Note: Usually when the Lord Jesus spoke in parables, he later gave his explanation. Therefore, when we read the Bible, it is important to see the context of the parable to understand its meaning.

Old Testament parables

Although some may not know it, in the Old Testament the prophets of God used parables as teaching. Therefore, the use of parables as a literary device is quite old.

What are the parables of the Old Testament?

The parables found in the Old Testament are:

• The parable of Jotham (Judges 9:7-15);
• The poor man’s little lamb (2 Samuel 12:1-4);
• The two brothers and the avengers (2 Samuel 14:1-11);
• The escaped prisoner (1 Kings 20:35-40);
• The vine and the grapes (Isaiah 5:1-7);
• The parable of the rotten girdle (Jeremiah 13:1-11);
• The two eagles and the vine (Ezekiel 17:1-10);
• The lion in the cage (Ezekiel 19:2-9);
• The boiling pot (Ezekiel 24:3-14);

See here: What are the names of God?

parables of the new testament

A large number of metaphors and comparisons are found in the New Testament. However, the parables only appear in the gospels and they were all told by Jesus.

The Lord Jesus used parables with extraordinary originality and purpose. Proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven!. And they cannot be compared with the teachings of the rabbis of the time. Jesus announced something unprecedented and it was one of the characteristics of his incredible ministry.

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What are the New Testament parables?

In the New Testament there is a significant number of parables of Jesus that for some may vary in quantity. There are parables in only one gospel, in two, or even in all three gospels.

It is also important to clarify that some texts are the subject of discussion among scholars of Bible, who dispute whether the texts are parables. Therefore, there are texts that for some scholars are parables, while for others they are not.

One of the most discussed passages is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Many believe that this text is not a parable but a story that happened in reality. The list of parables accepted by most interpreters is as follows.

Parables found in a gospel:

• The tares (Matthew 13:24-30).
• New and old treasures (Matthew 13:52).
• Marriage and mourning (Matthew 9:15).
• The hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44).
• The pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45,46).
• The net (Matthew 13:47-50).
• The servant who did not forgive (Matthew 18: 23-35).
• The workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).
• The two sons (Matthew 21:28-32).
• The wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14).
• The ten virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13).
• The separation of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46).
• The growth of the seed (Mark 4:26-29).
• The absent owner of the house (Mark 13:33-37)
• The two debtors (Luke 7:41-43).
• The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).
• The importunate friend (Luke 11:5-13).
• The rich fool (Luke 12:16-21).
• Watchful servants (Luke 12:35-40).
• The faithful servant and the wicked servant (Luke 12:42-48).
• The barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9).
• The Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24).
• The builder of a tower and a king preparing for war (Luke 14:25-35).
• The lost coin (Luke 15:8-10).
• The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
• The unfaithful servant (Luke 16:1-13).
• The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
• Useless servants (Luke 17:7-10).
• The persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).
• The Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14).
• The ten minas (Luke 19:11-27).
• The sheepfold (John 10:1-16).
• The vine and the branches (John 15:1-6).

Parables found in two gospels:

• The two foundations (Matthew 7:24-29; Luke 6:47-49).
• The son who questions his father (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13).
• The narrow gate (Matthew 7:13,14; Luke 13:23-30).
• The boys in the square (Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35).
• The tree and its fruits (Matthew 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-45).
• Leaven (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20,21).
• The lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7).
• The good servant and the bad servant (Matthew 24: 45-51; Luke 12:41-48).
• The talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27). The parable recorded in Luke, although very similar to the parable recorded in Matthew, is not the same parable.

Parables found in three gospels:

• The lamp under a bushel (Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21,22; Luke 8:16,17).
• Patch of new cloth (Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21; Luke 5:36).
• New wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37,38).
• The sower (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23; Mark 4: 2-9,13-20; Luke 8: 5-8,11-15).
• The mustard seed (Matthew 13:31,32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18,19).
• The wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21: 33-46; Mark 12: 1-12; Luke 20: 9-19).
• The fig tree and all the trees (Matthew 24:32 – Mark 13:28 – Luke 21:29).

Related: What is the meaning of seeking first the kingdom of God?

Errors in the interpretation of parables

Interpreting parables is not entirely easy and sometimes many people make mistakes when interpreting them. They often try to find truths and meanings that are not actually conveyed by them originally.

This can lead to doctrinal errors because they can serve to blur the true message conveyed by the parable. And although the parables of the Lord contain more than one teaching, care must be taken to ensure that the true meaning is not distorted.

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