Parables

[B-A-C]

The word parable is mentioned 3 times in the Old Testament.

Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
Ezek 17:2 "Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,
Ezek 24:3 "Speak a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Put on the pot, put it on and also pour water in it;

It is mentioned over 30 times in the New Testament, where it seems only Jesus told parables.

Matt 13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower.
Matt 13:24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
Matt 13:31 He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
Matt 13:33 He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."
Matt 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.
Matt 13:36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
Matt 15:15 Peter said to Him, "Explain the parable to us."
Matt 21:33 "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who PLANTED A VINEYARD AND PUT A WALL AROUND IT AND DUG A WINE PRESS IN IT, AND BUILT A TOWER, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey.
Matt 24:32 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
Mark 4:13 And He *said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How will you understand all the parables?
Mark 4:30 And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?
Mark 4:34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.
Mark 7:17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable.
Mark 12:12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.
Mark 13:28 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
Luke 5:36 And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.
Luke 6:39 And He also spoke a parable to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?
Luke 8:4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
Luke 8:9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
Luke 8:11 "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
Luke 12:16 And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.
Luke 12:41 Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?"
Luke 13:6 And He began telling this parable: "A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.
Luke 14:7 And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them,
Luke 15:3 So He told them this parable, saying,
Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Luke 18:9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
Luke 19:11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.
Luke 20:9 And He began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.
Luke 20:19 The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.
Luke 21:29 Then He told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees;

Most scholars believe that if Jesus told a story that was not identified as a parable, then it was not a parable. The story of Lazarus and the Rich man is probably the most famous example of this.
It is not identified as a parable in any Bible translation.

The other thing about parables, is that they are always down to earth, and easy to understand. No exaggeration or hyperbole is used in any of Jesus's parables.
Man had a field, a man had a son, a tree was in a field, a net caught some fish, some seeds were planted in a field, etc... perhaps these were fictional stories,
but they were all stories' people could relate to. Everyone knew someone with a field, or a son, or a fishnet, or some wheat seeds. No parable was ever like a sci-fi fantasy or incredibly
un-realistic. No space ships, monsters, giants, zombies or invisible people in any of the parables Jesus told. There was nothing in any parables that people weren't familiar with in everyday life.
There was never anything told in a parable that couldn't happen in everyday life.

Near the beginning of Jesus's public ministry he used parables a lot. Mostly to the public, not so much to His disciples.

Matt 13:34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.
Mark 4:34 and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.

But this changed near the end of His ministry.

John 16:29; His disciples *said, "Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech.
John 16:30; "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God."

 

[B-A-C]

The reasons people give for the story of Lazarus and the Rich man not being a parable are usually...

1. It isn't identified as a parable in the Bible.
2. It uses someone's name "Lazarus". Where all other parables just said "a man".

Those are good reasons, and I don't dispute them... but I have another reason.

Let us take two parables. I am picking these two specifically because Jesus explained the meaning of them. We don't have to guess what they meant.

Matt 13:1; That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.
Matt 13:2; And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
Matt 13:3; And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow;
Matt 13:4; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.
Matt 13:5; "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.
Matt 13:6; "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Matt 13:7; "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.
Matt 13:8; "And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matt 13:9; "He who has ears, let him hear."

On the surface, nothing special about this parable. I sure most of the farmers ( if not all ) who were hearing this story could say, yeah that's happened to me before.
Some seeds, get ate by the birds, some seeds, fall on rocky places, some seeds get choked out by the weeds, but some seeds fall on good soil.
Just a story about planting seeds... nothing special here.

Then we have another parable in the same chapter.

Matt 13:24; Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
Matt 13:25; "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.
Matt 13:26; "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.
Matt 13:27; "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
Matt 13:28; "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves *said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'
Matt 13:29; "But he *said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.
Matt 13:30; 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

Again, on the surface just another story about tares ( weeds ) in a field of wheat. I'm sure many farmers listening to this story could relate. "yeah someone put weeds in my crop last month". No great mystery here.

... ahh... but then we get to the explanation of these two parables. We have to separate the explanation from the parables themselves for a moment here.

Matt 13:18; "Hear then the parable of the sower.
Matt 13:19; "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
Matt 13:20; "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
Matt 13:21; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.
Matt 13:22; "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Matt 13:23; "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

Now the parable in verses 3-9 take on new life. A new spiritual truth has been revealed. It's not just about seeds in a field anymore. Now it's about salvation, receiving the word of God.

Matt 13:36; Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
Matt 13:37; And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,
Matt 13:38; and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;
Matt 13:39; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.
Matt 13:40; "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.
Matt 13:41; "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
Matt 13:42; and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 13:43; "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Again the parable in verses 24-30 take on new life, new meaning, it isn't just about wheat and weeds anymore. It's about angels, heaven and hell.
Now we know the spiritual side of the story. In both these parables ( as well as all others ) natural every day events were used to explain supernatural spiritual events.

In the story of Lazarus and the Rich man, the supernatural events are right out in the open. Abraham's bosom and hades right before our eyes. No hidden meaning here about
trees, or fish, or seeds, or even weeds. This is why I do not believe Luke 16:19-31; to be a parable.

 

[B-A-C]

.

 

[Garee]

My own personal thoughts with a couple of scripture tossed in
True, but the physical act of actually be given the mantle was not a hand to hand but rather one would take it as it fell either off Elijah's shoulders/hands and from a height. Now whether Elijah was carrying it, or he was wearing it, we can't say, but "fell" like I said speaks of height and of hitting the ground. This was important since its mentioned in 2 verses one right after the other v13-14. As if to affirm Elisha's possession of it, since it was used as part of the miracles as well. As shown in the parting of the Jordan by both prophets.

In the parables which without Christ spoke not. Christ uses a mantle or cloak as a hiding metaphor falling off shoulders to represent the government of Christ.

Elijah used to represent the Holy presence of Christ passing it down to Elisha's who in turn passes it to John the Baptist who goes in the power of Elijah yoked with Christ

Isaiah 9:6-7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

In that way in the parable God uses Moses to represent the law (old testament) mixed with Elias as the unseen power of sol scriptura passed down to John Again uses Moses and Elisa to represent the whole book of prohecy


Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

 

[Christ4Ever]

In the parables

Not everything is a parable.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Garee]

Not everything is a parable.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

Thanks

Yes, only the words Christ spoke prophesied through his apostle prophet Jesus the Son of man the chief apostle .

Without parables (comparing the temporal historical to the unseen eternal work of faith) "Let there be" Christ spoke not .

It would seem today many Christians neglect to seek the approval of our Holy Father loving commandment (2 tim 2:15) rightfully dividing the parables according to the recipe (2 Corinthians 4:18)

What is on the rise are the lying signs as wonders the limbo tool "wondering marveling" Not believing.

Prophecy sealed with 7 seals till the last day under the Sun. Some are deceived to believe God is still sending new revelations

Today it seems to be a higher authority than sola scriptura. Many seek after a sign .Jesus calls them the evil generation .Non converted .They love to hold thier signs and wonders above sola scriptura.

God sends them a strong delusion

 

[Christ4Ever]

Thanks

Yes, only the words Christ spoke prophesied through his apostle prophet Jesus the Son of man the chief apostle .

Without parables (comparing the temporal historical to the unseen eternal work of faith) "Let there be" Christ spoke not .

It would seem today many Christians neglect to seek the approval of our Holy Father loving commandment (2 tim 2:15) rightfully dividing the parables according to the recipe (2 Corinthians 4:18)

What is on the rise are the lying signs as wonders the limbo tool "wondering marveling" Not believing.

Prophecy sealed with 7 seals till the last day under the Sun. Some are deceived to believe God is still sending new revelations

Today it seems to be a higher authority than sola scriptura. Many seek after a sign .Jesus calls them the evil generation .Non converted .They love to hold thier signs and wonders above sola scriptura.

God sends them a strong delusion

This is not the thread for this discussion. I will move it to another thread, because it has nothing to little to do with the subject at hand on this thread. I have found a thread started by Brother @B-A-C that I'm sure he will not mind having a couple of these postings moved over to. It will be that we can continue this portion of the conversation.

The following will be the link in case anyone is interested in joining in from this thread.

Thread 'Parables'

Aug 31, 2024

The word parable is mentioned 3 times in the Old Testament.

Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
Ezek 17:2 "Son of man, propound a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel,
Ezek 24:3 "Speak a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Put on the pot, put it on and also pour water in it;

It is mentioned over 30 times in the New Testament, where it seems only Jesus told parables.

Matt 13:18 "Hear then the parable of the sower.
Matt 13:24 Jesus presented another parable to...

• B-A-C
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Bible Study

• 

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><
P.S. Don't answer this until after it is moved to the new/old thread.

 

[Christ4Ever]

@Garee
Let's get this out of the way first and I'll type another post on the subject of parables.

Your words:
"It would seem today many Christians neglect to seek the approval of our Holy Father loving commandment (2 tim 2:15) rightfully dividing the parables according to the recipe (2 Corinthians 4:18)

What is on the rise are the lying signs as wonders the limbo tool "wondering marveling" Not believing.

Prophecy sealed with 7 seals till the last day under the Sun. Some are deceived to believe God is still sending new revelations

Today it seems to be a higher authority than sola scriptura. Many seek after a sign .Jesus calls them the evil generation .Non converted .They love to hold thier signs and wonders above sola scriptura.

God sends them a strong delusion"

We can agree to disagree, but when you start using the above to put another as being either unscriptural or being diluted, or attempt to just shut them up, we are going to have a problem, and it won't be tolerated. I've accepted too much of this in the past, between members, to the point I fear that many believe this is an acceptable way that brethren are to talk to each other here on Talk Jesus. I tell you now, I will not abide by this type of communication as a way one talks to another here, even when one is in disagreement. You might believe it to be true, and I might even believe it as well, but I suggest you keep it to yourself, or Private Message the individual if you feel it necessary to make that point to them.

I hope I've made myself clear in this.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Garee]

I would offer.

The Bible is historical true as well as spiritual gospel true . . .hid in parables.

Defining the dying temporal historical as the signified mixed with faith the unseen . it does not change the gospel. But does establish

2 Corinthians 4:18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are (historical) temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Parables the mixing of the two teaching us how to understand the things hidden from the god of this world.

Like honey parables enrich and not destroy the simplicity of the gospel .God pouring out his Living Spirit on dying flesh and blood in jeapordy of his own Holy Spirit Life with the living promise of a new incorruptible body

Parable should not cause us to flee and look for wonders as if God was brining new prohecy but rather we can mix the gospel of rest having been given the hidden understanding (Hebrew 4:1-2)

I think a person could say the gospel ."Let there be" The power of God working in the believer needed to believe a invisible God .

Comparing God not seen who is literal light and not that he can only create it temporal as as sign .

When God faithfully said "let there be light" his glorious presence illuminated and interpreted the darkness. Day three his glorious presence left.

Day four the temporal corruption time keeper Sun and Moon winding down to the last day under the Sun

it wouls sem to esatblish the law of interpreting parables (2 Corinthians 4:128

 

[Christ4Ever]

Yes, only the words Christ spoke prophesied through his apostle prophet Jesus the Son of man the chief apostle .

Without parables (comparing the temporal historical to the unseen eternal work of faith) "Let there be" Christ spoke not .

The problem with what you have quoted, is that it fails to consider the context of who was being spoken of and why it was so.

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: Matthew 13:34 KJV

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matthew 13:35 KJV

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Psalm 78:2 KJV

We know that this was so directed to the people in general, but not all. For he clearly explains it to the disciples once everyone else had been sent away and indirectly to us the readers.

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Matthew 13:36 KJV

Which is even in accordance with the previous Psalm 78:2 and what follows in v4:

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. Psalm 78:4 KJV

Otherwise, we'd probably as dumbfounded as the Apostles were to their meaning.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Christ4Ever]

I would offer.

The Bible is historical true as well as spiritual gospel true . . .hid in parables.

Defining the dying temporal historical as the signified mixed with faith the unseen . it does not change the gospel. But does establish

2 Corinthians 4:18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are (historical) temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Parables the mixing of the two teaching us how to understand the things hidden from the god of this world.

Like honey parables enrich and not destroy the simplicity of the gospel .God pouring out his Living Spirit on dying flesh and blood in jeapordy of his own Holy Spirit Life with the living promise of a new incorruptible body

Parable should not cause us to flee and look for wonders as if God was brining new prohecy but rather we can mix the gospel of rest having been given the hidden understanding (Hebrew 4:1-2)

I think a person could say the gospel ."Let there be" The power of God working in the believer needed to believe a invisible God .

Comparing God not seen who is literal light and not that he can only create it temporal as as sign .

When God faithfully said "let there be light" his glorious presence illuminated and interpreted the darkness. Day three his glorious presence left.

Day four the temporal corruption time keeper Sun and Moon winding down to the last day under the Sun

it wouls sem to esatblish the law of interpreting parables (2 Corinthians 4:128

The problem is that what you call it all as being "parables" while others might say "proverbs" still must require context to be understood. I would just call the understanding thereof is spiritually discerned through and by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we would fail to have any understanding of it no matter the word you would use to call the contents of Scripture as being.

That the contents are explicable to both temporal/spiritual is evident to anyone who sees it as what God would want us to know, as being told by the vessels He chose to use to do so.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Bill]

In the parables which without Christ spoke not. Christ uses a mantle or cloak as a hiding metaphor falling off shoulders to represent the government of Christ.

Elijah used to represent the Holy presence of Christ passing it down to Elisha's who in turn passes it to John the Baptist who goes in the power of Elijah yoked with Christ

Isaiah 9:6-7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

In that way in the parable God uses Moses to represent the law (old testament) mixed with Elias as the unseen power of sol scriptura passed down to John Again uses Moses and Elisa to represent the whole book of prohecy


Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Just a question, how did Elisha pass the Holy Spirit to John the Baptist.

"Elijah used to represent the Holy presence of Christ passing it down to Elisha's who in turn passes it to John the Baptist who goes in the power of Elijah yoked with Christ"

It was God who Blessed Elijah with the power of the Holy Spirit and it was God who gave the authority of the Holy Spirit to Elisha. It was God who gave the Holy Spirit to John the Baptist before John was born.

Trying to say Elijah handed it off to Elisha and Elisha to John makes no sense.

The whispering wind was God

 

[B-A-C]

I have been thinking about this for a while.

This is sometimes found in allegorical or symbolic-only approaches to Scripture. While it's not new, it has taken different forms over time.

---

What Do They Mean by “Everything Is a Parable”?​

Some people claim that every event in the Bible is symbolic, metaphorical, or a parable—not literal history. So, for example:

• Lazarus being raised = symbolic of spiritual awakening.
• Feeding the 5,000 = symbolic of spiritual nourishment.
• Peter walking on water = symbolic of faith overcoming doubt.

They often don’t mean “parable” in the traditional sense (like the Prodigal Son), but rather that everything is a coded message or spiritual metaphor.

---

Where Does This View Come From?​

This view can stem from several sources:

1. Gnosticism (ancient and modern) – which often taught that Scripture is full of hidden, mystical meanings.
2. Extreme allegorism – especially from some early church fathers like Origen, who saw nearly every passage as symbolic.
3. Modern spiritualism or liberal theology – which may deny miracles or historical events and instead treat them as moral or spiritual lessons.

=============================================

How to Respond or Define Limits?​

You’re right to want a way to define what a parable is and what it isn’t. Here’s a helpful framework:

A Parable Is​

• A fictional story told by Jesus (or others) to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth.
• Clearly marked as such in the text (e.g., “He spoke a parable unto them…”).
• Often introduced with phrases like “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

A Miracle or Historical Event Is​

• Reported as something that actually happened.
• Often includes specific names, places, and eyewitnesses.
• Not introduced as a parable or metaphor.

For example, John 11 (Lazarus) is written as a narrative, not a parable. It includes:

• Real people (Mary, Martha, Lazarus)
• A specific location (Bethany)
• A timeline and emotional reactions
• A crowd of witnesses

That’s not how parables are written.

Why It Matters​

If everything is a parable, then:

• Historical truth is lost.
• Doctrinal foundations (like the resurrection) become optional or symbolic.
• It undermines the authority and reliability of Scripture.

 

[B-A-C]

Mark 4:34:

“But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” (KJV)

This verse has led some to wonder whether Jesus always spoke in parables, or if this was context-specific. Here's a breakdown:

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Literal or Contextual?​

• Contextual Interpretation:
  The verse is part of a passage describing how Jesus taught the crowds during a specific period of His ministry. In Mark 4, Jesus is teaching by the sea, and the crowd is so large that He gets into a boat. He then delivers several parables (e.g., the sower, the lamp under a bushel).
  
  The phrase “without a parable spake he not unto them” is best understood as referring to His public teaching to the multitudes at that time, not a blanket statement about all His communication.
• Private Teaching:
  The second part of the verse—“when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples”—shows that Jesus did explain things plainly to His disciples in private. So He did not always speak in parables to everyone.

---

Why Parables?​

Jesus Himself explains this in Matthew 13:10–17 and Mark 4:10–12. The disciples ask why He speaks in parables, and He replies that it is to reveal truth to those who are spiritually receptive, while concealing it from those who are hardened. This fulfills prophecy from Isaiah 6.

---

Summary​

• Jesus did not always speak in parables to everyone.
• He used parables strategically, especially when teaching large crowds.
• To His disciples and in other settings, He spoke plainly and directly.

 

[B-A-C]

If we take post #9 above from Garee, this is what it seems to be saying...

1. All Scripture is both historical and spiritual—but the spiritual truth is “hid in parables.”
2. Temporal events (like miracles or creation) are signs pointing to unseen eternal realities.
3. 2 Corinthians 4:18 is used to argue that the seen (historical) is temporary, while the unseen (spiritual) is eternal.
4. They see parables as a divine teaching method—not just fictional stories, but a way God mixes the seen and unseen.
5. They interpret Genesis creation as symbolic of spiritual illumination and decline, rather than a literal timeline.

My initial response was...

“I agree that Scripture is spiritually rich and that God often uses signs and symbols to teach eternal truths. But I believe the Bible also records real historical events—like the resurrection of Lazarus or Peter walking on water—not just as metaphors, but as demonstrations of God’s power in real time and space. Parables are clearly marked as stories Jesus told to illustrate a point, while historical narratives are written with names, places, and eyewitnesses. Mixing the two too freely can risk losing the foundation of our faith in real events.”

You might also point to 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul insists that if Christ was not literally raised, our faith is in vain. That’s a strong defense of historical truth as essential to the gospel.

---

On 2 Corinthians 4:18​

That verse is beautiful and true—but it’s about perspective, not denying the reality of the seen. Paul isn’t saying the seen is false—just that it’s temporary compared to the eternal. That’s different from saying it’s all symbolic.

A question I would ask...

“How do you distinguish between a parable and a historical event in Scripture? What criteria do you use?”

 

[KingJ]

The reasons people give for the story of Lazarus and the Rich man not being a parable are usually...

1. It isn't identified as a parable in the Bible.
2. It uses someone's name "Lazarus". Where all other parables just said "a man".

Those are good reasons, and I don't dispute them... but I have another reason.

Let us take two parables. I am picking these two specifically because Jesus explained the meaning of them. We don't have to guess what they meant.

Matt 13:1; That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.
Matt 13:2; And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.
Matt 13:3; And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow;
Matt 13:4; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.
Matt 13:5; "Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.
Matt 13:6; "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Matt 13:7; "Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.
Matt 13:8; "And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.
Matt 13:9; "He who has ears, let him hear."

On the surface, nothing special about this parable. I sure most of the farmers ( if not all ) who were hearing this story could say, yeah that's happened to me before.
Some seeds, get ate by the birds, some seeds, fall on rocky places, some seeds get choked out by the weeds, but some seeds fall on good soil.
Just a story about planting seeds... nothing special here.

Then we have another parable in the same chapter.

Matt 13:24; Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
Matt 13:25; "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.
Matt 13:26; "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.
Matt 13:27; "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
Matt 13:28; "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves *said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?'
Matt 13:29; "But he *said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.
Matt 13:30; 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

Again, on the surface just another story about tares ( weeds ) in a field of wheat. I'm sure many farmers listening to this story could relate. "yeah someone put weeds in my crop last month". No great mystery here.

... ahh... but then we get to the explanation of these two parables. We have to separate the explanation from the parables themselves for a moment here.

Matt 13:18; "Hear then the parable of the sower.
Matt 13:19; "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.
Matt 13:20; "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
Matt 13:21; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.
Matt 13:22; "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Matt 13:23; "And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

Now the parable in verses 3-9 take on new life. A new spiritual truth has been revealed. It's not just about seeds in a field anymore. Now it's about salvation, receiving the word of God.

Matt 13:36; Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
Matt 13:37; And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,
Matt 13:38; and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;
Matt 13:39; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.
Matt 13:40; "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.
Matt 13:41; "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
Matt 13:42; and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 13:43; "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Again the parable in verses 24-30 take on new life, new meaning, it isn't just about wheat and weeds anymore. It's about angels, heaven and hell.
Now we know the spiritual side of the story. In both these parables ( as well as all others ) natural every day events were used to explain supernatural spiritual events.

In the story of Lazarus and the Rich man, the supernatural events are right out in the open. Abraham's bosom and hades right before our eyes. No hidden meaning here about
trees, or fish, or seeds, or even weeds. This is why I do not believe Luke 16:19-31; to be a parable.

Comparison: Parables vs. Luke 16:19–31

Feature	Typical Parable	Luke 16:19–31 (Rich Man & Lazarus)
Character Names	Anonymous or generic titles (e.g., “a sower,” “a man,” “a king”)	Lazarus is named — unique among all parables
Introductory Formula	Often introduced as a parable: “He spoke a parable…” or “The kingdom of heaven is like…”	Begins with “There was a certain rich man…” — no mention of “parable”
Tone and Style	Symbolic, illustrative, brief	More detailed and narrative, with dialogue and vivid descriptions
Spiritual Meaning	Obvious symbolic meaning meant to illustrate a truth	Seems to describe literal events and doctrines (afterlife, judgment, sufficiency of Scripture)
Setting	Earthly scenes (fields, vineyards, weddings, kings, business)	Afterlife setting with distinct descriptions of Hades, Abraham’s bosom, and a great chasm
Realism	General or fictional tone, meant to teach a lesson	Contains specific geography of the afterlife, real patriarch (Abraham), and current family (five brothers)
Use of Named Biblical Figures	Rare or symbolic figures (e.g., “a king”)	Abraham is a central character, named and speaking, suggesting a real, historical person
Purpose	Convey a singular kingdom truth or moral principle	Conveys multiple truths: justice, eternal consequences, sufficiency of Scripture

 

[Garee]

The problem is that what you call it all as being "parables" while others might say "proverbs" still must require context to be understood. I would just call the understanding thereof is spiritually discerned through and by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we would fail to have any understanding of it no matter the word you would use to call the contents of Scripture as being.

That the contents are explicable to both temporal/spiritual is evident to anyone who sees it as what God would want us to know, as being told by the vessels He chose to use to do so.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

Hi Thanks

Not a salvation issue .More of be careful how we hear who we say we do.

Parables enrich and do not destroy the historical value.

The simplicity of the gospel God saves dying mankind

The word proverb is the same as parable needed to hide the spiritual understanding from Satan the signs and lying wonders god of this world. He is not subject to the gospel.

Proverbs are moral parables. The parables in which Christ the husband spoke not without are after the temporal historical things seen mixed with faith the unseen the believer can rest assured, he has the hidden understanding. while some do hear but are not given the powerful understanding. Needed to do the good will. Of the Holy Father .

The very valuable parable mixing recipe must be applied or there can be no gospel rest. The hidden understanding is revealed to the believer
if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the (historical ) things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Things visible must be compared and mixed to the invisible .Things of faith or unseen power

Hebrews 4Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.;For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

 

[B-A-C]

Parables enrich and do not destroy the historical value.

Here is the definition of the word "Parab;e". Note: This isn't a definition I made up. This is from collective authoritive sources.

Definition of PARABLE

a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle; also : something (such as a news story or a series of real events) likened to a parable in providing an instructive example or lesson… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle

Parable - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Although the meaning of a parable is often not explicitly stated, it is not intended to be hidden or secret but to be quite straightforward and obvious.<a href="Parable - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a>

Example:
Matt 21:43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.
Matt 21:44 "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."
Matt 21:45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.

The meaning wasn't hidden from them.

Parable - Easton's Bible Dictionary

Parable :: (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a

www.blueletterbible.org

The parables uttered by our Lord are all recorded in the synoptical (i.e., the first three) Gospels. The fourth Gospel contains no parable properly so called

I would challenge the notion that Jesus didn't say anything in the book of John, even though none of it was a parable.

We can't go aorund making up our definitions for words.

parable noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson, especially one of those told by Jesus as recorded in the Bible
[/quote

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/parable

If we turn every event in the Bible into "a hidden spiritual truth", then there are no factual historical events.
Historical events do not qualify as parable according to any definition I have found. There can be spiritual truths gleaned
from historical events, but then this no longer qualifies as a parable.

If you can show me your source of your definition, I will consider it. But if the source is just you, then I won't consider that valid.

 

[Garee]

Here is the definition of the word "Parab;e". Note: This isn't a definition I made up. This is from collective authoritive sources.

Yes different kinds authroity different kinds of parables .

Biblical Parables not that popular today it would seem out of body I had a vison as false prophecy coming from the king of lying signs to wonder after ahs taken the high ground. Some sort of fear of understanding the parables? And why they are used?

A biblical parable the signified understanding using the temporal historical things seen to signify as sign to reveal the hidden spiritual understanding
.
The recipes for mixing the temporal historical with the unseen eternal faith

2 Corinthians 4:18;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are (historical) temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

In the garden of Eden parable The tree of eternal life is hid in the center, Satan the king of lying signs to wonder after as if true prohecy added 4 words of false prohecy "neither shall you touch"

Then the two fold power of the lust of the flesh drawing them to the center. . then the lust of the eye caused them to touch.

The two building blocks of false pride .Still doing thier work of touching . . lusting dripping honey.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Parables the signified prophecy teach how to not have false pride rather than comforting prohecy sealed till the end of time

 

[B-A-C]

Yes different kinds authroity different kinds of parables .

So still ... your authority.. your definition.