What is the meaning of parable?
BREAKDOWN
A parable, in biblical terms, is a short, allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach a profound moral or spiritual truth. Predominantly used by Jesus Christ in the Gospels, parables draw upon common, everyday experiences and observations, such as farming, household management, or social dynamics, to convey abstract theological concepts. Unlike fables, parables often contain an element of realism and are intended to challenge the listener's perspective, provoke thought, and elicit a response. Their didactic nature is multifaceted: they can both illuminate truth for those who are receptive and, conversely, obscure it from those whose hearts are hardened, as Jesus himself explained in Mark 4:10-12, "To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables; that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.'" The strategic use of parables by Jesus was pivotal in his teaching ministry concerning the Kingdom of God. They served as a bridge between the familiar and the divine, making complex spiritual realities accessible, yet also demanding deeper contemplation. For instance, the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8) uses agricultural imagery to explain the varying responses to God's word, highlighting different types of 'soil' representing human hearts. Parables such as the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) or the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) encapsulate central tenets of Christian ethics, grace, and redemption, demonstrating God's character and humanity's call to love. Beyond simple illustration, parables functioned as prophetic utterances, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies regarding God speaking in parables (Psalm 78:2), and were integral to Jesus' methodology for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom while also sifting his audience.
KEY TERMS
allegorical story
A story in which characters or events are symbols representing abstract ideas or moral qualities.
Kingdom of God
The spiritual reign of God over humanity and creation, central to Jesus's teaching and often revealed through parables.
Parable of the Sower
A parable told by Jesus about a sower who scattered seed on different types of ground, symbolizing different responses to God's word.
Mashal
A Hebrew term for a proverb, parable, or riddle, encompassing a broader range of illustrative literary forms in the Old Testament.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Mark 4:10-12
When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables; that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”
Matthew 13:3-9
He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded a crop: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Mark 4:3-9
“Listen! Behold, the sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it. Others fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Others fell into good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.” He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Luke 8:5-8
“The sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, and the birds of the sky devoured it. Other seed fell on the rock, and as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and yielded a hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Luke 15:11-32
He said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your property that falls to me.’ He divided to them his livelihood. Not many days after, the younger son gathered all he had and traveled into a far country, and there he wasted his property with riotous living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’ He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants to him, and asked what these things meant. He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him. But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again! He was lost, and is found.’”
Luke 10:25-37
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend more, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Psalm 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
παραβολή
parable
DefinitionA placing beside, a comparison, a parable.
מָשָׁל
mashal
DefinitionProverb, parable, allegory, byword, oracle.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The use of parables was a common pedagogical tool in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures, particularly within Jewish rabbinic tradition, where they were known as *mashalim* (singular: *mashal*). These were often short narratives or proverbs used to illustrate ethical principles or interpretations of Torah. Jesus, as a Jewish rabbi, employed this familiar method but infused it with unprecedented theological depth and authority. His parables often challenged the prevailing social norms and religious interpretations of his time, particularly those of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The agrarian society of Judea and Galilee, where most people were engaged in farming, shepherding, or fishing, provided a rich tapestry of relatable imagery. References to sowers, seeds, vineyards, sheep, and fishing nets resonated deeply with his audiences, making his teachings immediately accessible while concealing their radical implications from those unwilling to truly 'see'. The cultural expectation was often that a teacher would use such stories to explain complex ideas, but Jesus' parables frequently subverted expectations, forcing listeners to confront their own biases and spiritual state.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Theologically, parables are more than mere moral tales; they are instruments of divine revelation concerning the Kingdom of God. Jesus utilized them to describe the nature of this Kingdom, its values, its citizens, and its eventual triumph. They reveal God's character as gracious, patient, just, and sovereign, inviting hearers to repent and embrace His rule. The dual function of parables—revealing truth to the humble and concealing it from the proud (Matthew 13:10-17)—underscores the sovereign will of God in disclosing spiritual understanding. This selective revelation is not arbitrary but tied to the spiritual disposition of the hearer. Ultimately, parables compel a decision, challenging the audience to align their lives with the radical implications of God's in-breaking Kingdom, emphasizing the cost of discipleship and the boundless grace offered to those who respond in faith.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
On *mashal* (Proverbs 1:6), Rashi explains that the *mashal* is a profound statement or a riddle that conceals a deeper meaning, requiring interpretation to uncover wisdom. This aligns with the idea that parables are not always immediately obvious but require engagement.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin highlights the didactic purpose of parables, stating that Jesus spoke in parables to accommodate his teaching to the capacity of the unlearned, making divine truths accessible through earthly analogies. However, he also emphasizes their role in distinguishing between those who genuinely sought truth and those who were merely curious or resistant.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Matthew Henry emphasizes the practical and moral application of parables, viewing them as instruments to stir conviction and encourage righteous living. He often expounds on the moral lessons embedded within each parable, urging believers to apply the teachings to their personal conduct and spiritual growth.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine often interpreted parables allegorically, seeing profound spiritual symbolism in every detail. For instance, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, he would interpret the man who fell among thieves as Adam, Jerusalem as the heavenly city, Jericho as mortality, the priest and Levite as the Old Covenant, and the Samaritan as Christ.