The Parables Of Jesus

7/21/2012The Parables of JesusIntro22 July, 2012Andy Lewis(Courtesy of www.BibleStudyMen.com)A Closer LookWhat is a Parable?“A Parable” a short story or word picture thatillustrates a single point ofspiritual truth. Mustard Seed Small Seed – Large Plant Growth of Kingdom of God1

7/21/2012ParablesWhat Are They? ParableMetaphorAllegoryFableMetaphor “You are my sunshine.” Figure speech A word or phrase Literally denotes one object or idea is used inplace of another Suggests a likeness or analogy between them Directly compares seemingly unrelated subjectsAnalogy “the URL of a web site is like thetitle on the tab of a file folder” Inference If two things agree with each other in somerespects, they will probably agree in others Often used to make a difficult idea or anarchaic subject easier to understand2

7/21/2012Allegory “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyon Like a Metaphor but Sustained longer and more fully in its detailsFable Aesop’s Fables Most Equivalent to a Parable Fables tend to be longer than parables Both a short allegory with one definite moral Like an Analogy but .Appeals to imagination instead of reason or logicThe Bundle of Sticks There are many fables that have similarmeanings to Biblical parables, but many morethat present good advice that is not at allBiblicalThe Bundle of SticksAn old man on the point of death summoned hissons around him to give them some partingadvice. He ordered his servants to bring in abundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son:“Untie the bundles,” said the father, “and eachof you take a stick.”“Break it.”“Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken.The son strained and strained, but with all hisefforts was unable to break the Bundle. Theother sons also tried, but none of them wassuccessful.“You see my meaning,” said their father .When they had done so, he called out to them:Union gives strength.3

7/21/2012Where are the Biblical Parables?Old Testament Jews and Moabites (analogy) - BalaamNumbers 23:24The people rise like a lioness;they rouse themselves like a lionthat does not rest till it devours its preyand drinks the blood of its victims.”Where are the Biblical Parables?Old Testament – Strong brings forth sweetness (riddle) Samson Judges 14:14, 18“Out of the eater, something to eat;out of the strong, something sweet.” Etc .Where are the Biblical Parables?Old Testament – Trees make a king (parable) - JothamJudges 9:7-15One day the trees went out to anoint a king forthemselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be ourking.’9 “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give upmy oil, by which both gods and humans arehonored, to hold sway over the trees?’ Where are the Biblical Parables?New Testament–Mostly in Synoptic GospelsMatthew, Mark, LukeJohn –Shepherd and Thieves10:1-10The one who enters by the gate is theshepherd of the sheep.Vine and the Branches15:1-8I am the vine; you are the branches.4

7/21/2012How Many Parables are there? Depends on Definition and minor variations 33 – 60 1 New cloth on an old coat :2 New wine in old wineskins3 Lamp on a stand4 Wise and foolish builders5 Moneylender forgives unequal debts6 Lamp on a stand7 Rich man foolishly builds bigger barns8 Servants must remain watchful9 Wise and foolish servants10 Unfruitful fig tree11 Sower and four types of soil12 Weeds among good plants (Kingdom of Heaven)13 Growing seed (Kingdom of Heaven)14 Mustard seed (Kingdom of Heaven)15 Yeast (Kingdom of Heaven)16 Hidden treasure (Kingdom of Heaven)17 Valuable pearl (Kingdom of Heaven)18 Fishing net (Kingdom of Heaven)19 Owner of a house (Kingdom of Heaven)20 Lost sheep21 The sheep, gate, and shepherd22 Master and his servant 23 Unmerciful servant (Kingdom of Heaven)24 Good Samaritan25 Friend in need26 Lowest seat at the feast27 Invitation to a great banquet28 Cost of discipleship29 Lost sheep30 Lost coin31 Lost (prodigal) son32 Shrewd manager33 Rich man and Lazarus34 Workers in the vineyard, early and late35 Persistent widow and crooked judge36 Pharisee and tax collector37 King’s ten servants given minas38 Two sons, one obeys one does not39 Wicked tenants40 Invitation to a wedding banquet41 Signs of the future from a fig tree42 Wise and foolish servants43 Wise and foolish virgins44 Servants must remain watchful45 Three servants given talents46 Sheep and goats will be separatedPrinciples of InterpretationScripture is* Clear i.e. that it is reasonably intelligible,being both comprehensible andunambiguousWhy did Jesus use Parables? Makes you thinkMore likely to be rememberedMore likely to be put into actionHelps make the truth expressed more apart of yourself than just a simplestatement Coaxed the listeners into participatingmore actively as they considered theparables’ ambiguous contentClarity of Scripture* Clarity is consonant with genre and literary stylei.e. metaphor / parables are possible* A need for translation does not imply obscuritya good translation does not clarify Scripturebut conveys the clarity which is esources/bible/whole/Clarity.htm5

7/21/2012Clarity of ScriptureClarity of Scripture*Clarity does not necessarily imply ease ofunderstanding:hard work may be required to graspthe clear text* Clarity is limited to the topics addressed byScripturei.e. - The what of the TrinityNot necessarily the howPrinciples of Interpretation* Clarity is particularly relevant with topic for matters which directly concern the purposesof God,‘those things which pertain unto salvation’.“ the more necessary a matter, the more clear itwill be (although earnest effort can discern eventhe less necessary matters)”Principles of InterpretationSola Scriptura—Scripture alone Luther ‘s Comments* Consistent with the nature and purposes ofits divine author Clarity extends to the words of Scripturethemselves and those words almost neverappear by themselves.* ‘Clear interpreting the Unclear’* Context All Scripture has the same primary author the Holy Spirit6

7/21/2012Principles of Interpretation God has not left us with an obscure Scriptureprecisely because he has left us an entireScripture. If the initial impression is that a particular textis obscure, then that can only be an initialimpression. The unity of Scripture takes usbeyond initial impressions to the true clarityof the Word of God.Parables to Explore The Cost of DiscipleshipUnjust StewardWorkers in the VineyardWedding BanquetProdigal SonNew Cloth / New WineKingdom of HeavenMaster and ServantRich Man and LazarusThe Cost of Discipleship7

Apr 01, 2013 · 7/21/2012 1 The Parables of Jesus Intro 22 July, 2012 Andy Lewis (Courtesy of www.BibleStudyMen.com) A Closer Look What is a Parable? “A Parable” a short story or word picture that illustrates a single point of