Parables And Parabolic Images In The Gospels

Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospelsby Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.What is a "Parable"?Definition: "At itssimplest a parable is ametaphor or similedrawn from nature orcommon life, arrestingthe hearer by its vividnessor strangeness, andleaving the mind insufficient doubt about itsprecise application totease it into activethought." (C. H. Dodd, TheParables of the Kingdom, NewYork: Charles Scribner's Sons,1961, p. 5)Implications of thisdefinition: The meaning of most parables is not so obvious, or at least it shouldn't be. If we assumewe know what Jesus is talking about, we are probably missing the main point; if we aretoo familiar with the story (having heard it so often before), we might not think carefullyenough about its real meaning.Most parables contain some element that is strange or unusual. They should cause you tosay, "Wait a minute! That's not how farmers do their work! That's not what kings usuallydo! That's not what normally happens in nature!" And this strange element should causeyou to think!Parables do not define things precisely, but rather use comparisons to describe someaspect of how God acts or interacts with human beings. Yet to say "A is like B" does notmean that "A is identical to B in all respects"; so one should be careful not to misinterpretor misapply the parables."Parables"; by James C. Christensen; from Swoyer's Fine Art & CollectiblesThe Purpose of the Parables?We might think that Jesus spoke in parables to make it easier for people to understand hismessage. According to the Gospels, however, he surprisingly does NOT expect everyone tounderstand them! This is clearly expressed in Matthew 13:10-17:

10 Thenthe disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them [the crowds] inparables?"11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven,but to them it has not been given.12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but fromthose who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearingthey do not listen, nor do they understand.' (cf. Isa 6:9-10)14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen,but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they haveshut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, andunderstand with their heart and turn--and I would heal them.'16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, butdid not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.In Matthew, at least the disciples of Jesus understand the parables; but in Mark, even they have ahard time understanding, despite receiving extra instructions in private! "Have you understood all this?" They [the disciples] answered, "Yes." (Matt 13:51) And he said to them [the disciples], "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will youunderstand all the parables?" (Mark 4:13) With many such parables he spoke the word to them [the crowds], as they were able to hear it;he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to hisdisciples. (Mark 4:33-34).Biblical Terminology:The Greek word παραβολή (parabolē) is used a total of 50 times in the New Testament (13 timesin Mark, 17 in Matthew, 18 in Luke, and twice in Hebrews, but never in John). It always refers tosome type of “figure of speech” or “literary comparison”; it is usually translated “parable” inEnglish, but sometimes also “lesson” (Mark 13:28; Matt 24:32), “proverb” (Luke 4:23),“symbol” (Heb 9:9), or “figuratively speaking” (Heb 11:19, all in the NRSV).Greek parabolē is used in the following NT verses: Mark 3:23; 4:2, 10, 11, 13a, 13b, 30, 33, 34; 7:17; 12:1, 12; 13:28Matthew 13:3, 10, 13, 18, 24, 31, 33, 34a, 34b, 35, 36, 53; 15:15; 21:33, 45; 22:1; 24:32Luke 4:23; 5:36; 6:39; 8:4, 9, 10, 11; 12:16, 41; 13:6; 14:7; 15:3; 18:1, 9; 19:11; 20:9,19; 21:29Hebrews 9:9; 11:19A related Greek word, παροιμία (paroimia), which also refers to some type of “figure ofspeech,” is used only in John 10:6; 16:25; 16:29; and 2 Peter 2:22.

Not all the stories or figures of speech identified by biblical scholars as parables are explicitlycalled “parables” in the New Testament itself. This page lists all Gospel texts normally identifiedby scholars as parables, as well as related texts dealing with Jesus' use of parables.Where Are the Gospel Parables?From the following tables, you will note that Mark has only few parables and related images;Matthew adds quite a few more; and Luke has by far the most parables in the New Testament,including some of the most famous ones. The non-canonical Gospel of Thomas also containsquite a few parables that are also found in one or more of the Synoptics. In contrast, John'sGospel never uses the word "parable" and has only few very images that are even similar to theparables of the Synoptic Gospels. To compare the texts of parables that appear in two or more of the Gospels,see The Five Gospel Parallels website.Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according to MARK:ParableMarkMatthewLukeThomasGarments & WineskinsMk 2:21- Mt 9:16-1722Lk 5:36-39GTh 47bStrong ManMk 3:27Lk 11:21GTh 35Sower & SeedMk 4:3-8 Mt 13:3-9Lk 8:5-8GTh 9[Why Jesus UsesParables]Mk 4:10- Mt 13:10-1712Lk 8:9-10-[Interpretation ofSower & Seed]Mk 4:13- Mt 13:18-2320Lk 8:11-15-Lamp on a StandMk 4:21Lk 8:16; andLk 11:33GTh 33[Sayings about Jesus'Parables]Mk 4:22- Mt 10:26; 7:2; Lk 8:17-18;13:1212:2; 6:38b25GTh 5; GTh41Seed Growing SecretlyMk 4:26- [cf. Mt 13:2430]29-GTh 21cMustard SeedMk 4:30- Mt 13:31-3232Lk 13:18-19GTh 20[Jesus' Use ofParables]Mk 4:33- Mt 13:34-3534--SaltMk 9:50Lk 14:34-Wicked TenantsMk 12:1- Mt 21:33-4411Lk 20:9-18GTh 65Mt 12:29Mt 5:15Mt 5:13

Budding Fig-TreeMt 24:32-33Mk13:28-29Lk 21:29-31-DoorkeeperMk13:33-37[cf. Lk 12:3538]-Total Number ofMarkan Parables10Lk keeps allbut 2GTh has 7 ofMark'sMt keeps allbut 2Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in both Matthew & Luke, but not inMark (from the "Q" Source?):ParableMark MatthewLukeSpecks and Planks in Eyes-Mt 7:3-4Lk 6:41-42 -Good and Bad Fruit-Mt 7:16-20 Lk 6:43-44 -Two Houses, Built on Rock orEarth-Mt 7:24-27 Lk 6:47-49 -Children in the Market Place-Mt 11:1619Lk 7:31-35 -Return of the Unclean Spirit-Mt 12:4345Lk 11:2426-Burglar-Mt 24:4344Lk 12:3940GTh 21b, 103Servant Entrusted withSupervision-Mt 24:4551Lk 12:4246-Going before the Judge-Mt 5:25-26 Lk 12:5859-Leaven-Mt 13:33Lk 13:2021GTh 96Great Supper-Mt 22:1-10 Lk 14:1624GTh 64Lost Sheep-Mt 18:1214GTh 107Serving Two Masters-Mt 6:24-25 Lk 16:13-Pounds or Talents-Mt 25:1430Lk 19:1227-Number of New Parables in Q-1313GTh has 4 ofQ'sLk 15:3-7Thomas

Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in MATTHEW's Gospel (but neitherin Mark nor in Luke):ParableMark MatthewLukeThomasWheat & Tares-Mt 13:2430-GTh 57[Interpretation of Wheat & Tares] -Mt 13:3643--Treasure-Mt 13:44-GTh 109Pearl-Mt 13:4546-GTh 76Net-Mt 13:4748-GTh 8Unmerciful Servant-Mt 18:2335--Vineyard Workers & Employer-Mt 20:1-16 --Two Sons-Mt 21:2832--Guest without a WeddingGarment-Mt 22:1114-GTh 75Ten Virgins-Mt 25:1-13 [cf. Lk13:25]Last Judgement / Sheep & Goats-Mt 25:3146--Number of New Parables inMatthew-10-GTh has 5 ofMt's-Additional Parables and Parabolic Images in LUKE's Gospel (but neither inMark nor in Matthew):ParableMark Matthew LukeThomasTwo Debtors--Lk 7:41-43-Good Samaritan--Lk 10:25-37-Friend Asking for Help atMidnight--Lk 11:5-8-Rich Fool--Lk 12:16-21GTh 63Faithful Servants--Lk 12:35-38-Barren Fig-Tree--Lk 13:6-9-

Closed Door--Lk 13:24-30-Choice of Places at Table--Lk 14:7-11-Tower-Builder--Lk 14:28-30-King Planning for Battle--Lk 14:31-33-Lost Coin--Lk 15:8-10-Prodigal Son--Lk 15:11-32-Unjust Steward--Lk 16:1-8-Rich Man & Lazarus--Lk 16:19-31-Servant's Reward--Lk 17:7-10-Unjust Judge--Lk 18:1-8-Pharisee & Publican--Lk 18:9-14-Throne Claimant--Lk 19:12, 14, 15a, 27Number of New Parables inLuke--18GTh has 1 ofLk'sParable-like Images in the Gospel according to JOHN:The word παραβολή (Gk. parabolē) is never used in the Fourth Gospel. However, the JohannineJesus does use some metaphors and images that are somewhat similar to but also significantlydifferent from the Synoptic parables. John's Gospel four times also uses the related wordπαροιμία (paroimia "proverb" or "figure of speech").Shepherd and Sheep (John 10:1-16) In Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, Jesus tells a parable about a Shepherd wholost one of his 100 sheep.In John, Jesus directly says, "I am the Sheepgate" (10:7, 9) and "I am the GoodShepherd" (10:11, 14).Vine and Branches (John 15:1-8) In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus tells several parables involving workers invineyards (Mark 12:1-11 & par.; Matt 20:1-16; Matt 21:28-32).In John, Jesus directly says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower"(15:1) and "I am the vine; you are the branches" (15:5).Paroimia "proverb" or "figure of speech" (John 15:1-8)

John 10:6 - Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did notunderstand what he was saying to them.John 16:25 - "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour iscoming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly ofthe Father."John 16:29 - His disciples said, "Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in anyfigure of speech!List of Parables and Parabolic Images in the non-canonical Gospel according toTHOMAS:ParableThomasMarkMatthewLuke[Sayings about Jesus'Parables]GTh 5Mk 4:22Mt 10:26Lk 8:17;12:2NetGTh 8-Mt 13:47-48-Sower & SeedGTh 9Mk 4:3-8 Mt 13:3-9Lk 8:5-8Mustard SeedGTh 20Mk 4:30- Mt 13:31-3232Lk 13:1819BurglarGTh 21b [cf.GTh 103]-Lk 12:3940Seed Growing SecretlyGTh 21cMk 4:26- [cf. Mt 13:24- 2930]Lamp on a StandGTh 33Mk 4:21Mt 5:15Lk 8:16;11:33Strong ManGTh 35Mk 3:27Mt 12:29Lk 11:21[Sayings about Jesus'Parables]GTh 41Mk 4:25Mt 13:12Lk 8:18Garments & WineskinsGTh 47bMk 2:21- Mt 9:16-1722Lk 5:36-39Wheat & TaresGTh 57-Mt 13:24-30-Rich FoolGTh 63--Lk 12:1621Great SupperGTh 64-Mt 22:1-10Lk 14:1624Wicked TenantsGTh 65Mk 12:1- Mt 21:33-4411Lk 20:9-18--Guest without a Wedding GTh 75Mt 24:43-44Mt 22:11-14

GarmentPearlGTh 76-Mt 13:45-46-LeavenGTh 96-Mt 13:33Lk 13:2021BurglarGTh 103 [cf. GTh 21b]Mt 24:43-44Lk 12:3940Lost SheepGTh 107-Mt 18:12-13Lk 15:3-7TreasureGTh 109-Mt 13:44----Total Number in Thomas 18Complete List of Parables and Parabolic Images in the Gospel according toMATTHEW:ParableMatthewMarkLukeThomasSaltMt 5:13Mk 9:50Lk 14:34-Lamp on a StandMt 5:15Mk 4:21Lk 8:16;11:33GTh 33Going before the JudgeMt 5:25-26 -Lk 12:58-59 -Serving Two MastersMt 6:24-25 -Lk 16:13-Specks and Planks in EyesMt 7:3-4-Lk 6:41-42-Good and Bad FruitMt 7:16-20 -Lk 6:43-44-Two HousesMt 7:24-27 -Lk 6:47-49-Garment & WineskinsMt 9:16-17 Mk 2:21-22Lk 5:36-39GTh 47Children in the Market PlaceMt 11:1619-Lk 7:31-35-Strong ManMt 12:29Mk 3:27Lk 11:21GTh 35Return of the Unclean SpiritMt 12:4345-Lk 11:24-26 -Sower & SeedMt 13:3-9Mk 4:3-8Lk 8:5-8GTh 9[Why Jesus Uses Parables]Mt 13:1017Mk 4:10-12Lk 8:9-10GTh 41[Interpretation of Sower &Seed]Mt 13:1823Mk 4:13-20Lk 8:11-15-Wheat & TaresMt 13:2430[cf. Mk 4:26- 29]Mustard SeedMt 13:31-Mk 4:30-32GTh 57Lk 13:18-19 GTh 20