Thread: Some of the most famous of Jesus' parables
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Some of the most famous of Jesus' parables
Posted : 23 Jan, 2012 01:24 PM
The Prodigal Son
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of Jesus' most well known parables. The story is found in Luke 15:11�32, being preceded by The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. It is the story of a son who dishonors his father and squanders his fortunes and returns home in disgrace to his father but is welcomed with arms open wide and forgiveness. [ A central theme of the story is that God is like the Prodigal son's father - full of mercy and love and forgiveness.]
Jesus often taught using illustrations and stories - parables. His parables often tell of the kingdom of God and the nature of God. Sometimes the meaning is clear, at other times it can seem hidden.
The word "parable" is derived from the Greek word ( G3850 ~ parabole ). It can be used to refer to stories that make a point (like the Good Samaritan), stories that are allegories (like the parable of the Sower) or simple statements.
Each of the four Gospels contains parables of Jesus unique to that Gospel, with two of the best known, the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, both being among those that occur only in the Gospel of Luke. Only two parables occur in the Gospel of John, and both are unique to that Gospel. A few parables appear in more than one of the synoptic Gospels. But no parable is common to the Mark and either Matthew or Luke but not both; that is, if a parable occurs in Mark and also somewhere else, then it appears in all three. This observation is one of those used to try to identify and analyze the sources used by the gospel writers. Parables also exist in the Old Testament and in many other writings, the best known being the story that the prophet Nathan tells King David.
Nature / types of parables
The Hebrew word H4912 ~ mashal has wide meanings. It can be used for riddles, stories, or comparisons.
There are differences of opinion as to what actually constitutes a parable. What one person considers a parable, another may not. Some theologians class Jesus' parables into 1 of 4 general types
Similitude ~ Example: Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed (Matthew 13)
Story ~ Example: Good Samaritan (Luke 10)
Extended metaphor � Luke 10 - In the parable, Jesus illustrates that compassion should be for all people, and that fulfilling the spirit of the Law is just as important as fulfilling the letter of the Law. In the story, Jesus describes how a Samaritan, who at the time was a despised foreigner in the eyes of the Jews, shows himself to be the neighbor by helping out a Jew who was in great need.
Example: Great Banquet (Luke 14)
Allegory ~ Example: Wicked tenants
Purpose of parables
The reason that Jesus' taught in parables is not immediately obvious. It seems that Jesus taught in parables for many reasons.
Purpose: To conceal meaning
Some parables, rather than enlighten everyone, seemed to be spoken to conceal the meaning. For example, in the parable of the sower, we are told that Jesus spoke in parables so that people would be "Forever seeing, and not understanding" (Luke 8).
Purpose: To make one or two spiritual points
Parables usually had one overall point. Occasionally they have two or three main points. For example, in the difficult parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16, Jesus seems to be making a single point - think and be shrewd in your actions. Likewise, the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14) seems to be making one main point - come when you are invited.
Purpose: To make points by comparison
Many parables made their point by comparison. For example, in the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), Jesus makes a point by comparing the responses of the two brothers and the father.
Purpose: To make people who were interested to think and judge
Parables, by their very nature of not being completely straight forward, draw interested people to think and judge. A person who is interested is almost always compelled to think and wonder at hearing a parable. For example, Jesus' disciples came to Jesus wanting an explanation after the parable of the sower.
Purpose: To help people remember
Parables can be easy to remember because a story needs to be remembered.
Purpose: To reveal people's hearts / to confront people
In the Gospels, we find that the parables often confronted people and revealed their hearts. For example, in the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus confronted the Pharisees, and instead of repenting, they became angrier - their true hearts were revealed by the parable.
Mt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mt 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mt 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mt 13:15 For this people�s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mt 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mt 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
This parable tells us why he talked to them in parables and the understanding we get here is very obvious to those that have an ear to hear, that some refuse to hear and see.
I don't remember where it is but he also said there cometh a time he will no longer speak to them in parables.
He never spoke to the church in parables.
The most important of the parables is the parable of the sower, and it is consequently the one most denied.
Your welcome Angel and thanxs PJ...I see and understand the parables as Jesus Painting a Picture using His Words and Common Everyday Events in the times in which He lived here on earth...And the same Pictures come to mind everytime I read them...There is much Truth, Lessons, Guidance in All of the parables and they apply to us today...Amazing how God's word Jesus continues to cross the line of Eternity to Give Sound and Loving Guidance for todays times...:yay:...Be Blessed and hava a Great day...luv ya...xo
