Parables & Metaphors : Parables & Metaphors Christian Life College
Stockton, CA
Terry R. Baughman, MAET, Instructor
Defining Parable : Defining Parable parabolh, - “parabole”
A placing of one thing by the side of another; a comparing; a parallel case cited in illustration; a comparison, simile, similitude...
Related to paraballw (paraballo) which means “to throw or place alongside.”
Defining Parable : Defining Parable The Greek “parabole” is used to translate the Hebrew “masal”, 28 of 39 times it is used in the LXX
Defining Parable : Defining Parable The Hebrew lwAmA - “masal” is much broader in definition.
1. a similitude, parable
2. sentence, opinion, ...
3. a proverb,
4. a song, poem (specially used of a prophecy)
Definitions of Terms : Definitions of Terms Simile - An explicit comparison using “like” or “as”.
ex. “he roared like a lion” or “his roar was as a lion”
Similitude - an extended simile. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, ...
Definitions of Terms : Definitions of Terms Metaphor - an implied (unexpressed) comparison (without “like” or “as”).
ex. “he is a lion” “the preacher is a loose cannon”
Allegory - A series of related metaphors
ex. the story of “Pilgrim’s Progress” I am the vine, you are the branches...
Definitions of Terms : Definitions of Terms Parable - An extended metaphor or simile. The parable can incorporate various forms. I am the vine, you are the branches...
FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES : FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES 1. Similitude
“the Kingdom of Heaven is like”
The Parables of Matthew 13
vs. 31 ... a grain of mustard seed ....
vs. 33 ... leaven ....
vs. 44 ... treasure hidden in a field, ...
vs. 45 ... a merchant in search of fine pearls,
vs. 47 ... a net that was thrown into the sea gathered fish of every kind.
vs. 52 ... Therefore every iscribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
Matt. 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES : FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES 2. Example story
A good or bad example presenting character traits and actions to be imitated or avoided.
Luke 10:37 –a Samaritan
And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES : FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES 3. Parable
The parable of the banquet
Luke 14:15-24.
FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES : FOUR FORMS OF PARABLES 4. Allegory - A series of related metaphors.
ex. The parable of the sower. Jesus gives the key to understanding this parable in allegorical terms.
“Parables are best defined as stories with two levels of meaning...” (Snodgrass)
Facts about the Parables : Facts about the Parables Fully one-third of the teaching of Jesus is in parables.
All but two of the fifty occurrences of the Greek word “parabole” in the New Testament are found in the synoptic gospels.
Though the gospel of John does not use “parabole”, the word “paroimia” (paroimi,a) is similar (used by John 4 times).
The Purpose of the Parables : The Purpose of the Parables To reveal truth to believers
“And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,”
Mark 4:11 (NKJV) To hide truth from those who have hardened their heart against it.
“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Matthew 13:13-15 (NKJV)
Let him hear : Let him hear How can parables at the same time bring understanding and confusion?
Isaiah 6:9
Let him hear : Let him hear And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
“Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”
Isaiah 6:9-10 NKJ
Let him hear : Let him hear The burden of understanding is placed upon the hearer, “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”
The theme of hearing is seen 13 times in Mark 4.
Mark 4 : Mark 4 3 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
9 And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
12 "so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.'
15 "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
Mark 4 : Mark 4 18 "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19 "and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20 "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.“
23 "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
Let him hear : Let him hear Matthew 13
13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Let him hear : Let him hear Matthew 13
14 "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'
Let him hear : Let him hear Matthew 13
16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
17 "for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Respectful substitute for the label of Deity
Divine circumlocution
Communicate to their audience
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Parallel passages where “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably:
Reason for Parables
Mt. 13:10-15
cf. Mk. 4:10-12 and Lk. 8:9-10
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Parallel passages where “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably:
The Mustard Seed
Mt. 13:31-32
cf. Mk 4:30-32 and Lk 13:18-19
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Parallel passages where “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably:
Leaven
Mt. 13:33
cf. Lk 13:20-21
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Parallel passages where “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are used interchangeably:
The Beatitudes
Mt. 5:3
cf. Luke 6:20
Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God : Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God Notice the parallelism in Matthew 19:23-24 where the two terms are used interchangeably:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”