A Study of the Parables
(Mt 13:34-35) "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 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."(Mrk 4:2) "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,"
What is a Parable?
A short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.
A statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.
Christ used parables as his teaching tool, teaching them the
doctrines that has been in place since the foundation of the earths
creation. A parable is nothing more than changing direct statements into
short stories, replacing the factual spiritual-truths (spiritual meaning) with
word-pictures (objects).
To understand a parable first find the (objects) found within, then find their
spiritual meaning. The best way to accomplish this is to use both a Concordance
and a Dictionary. First look up all the texts using the (objects) in the
Concordance and see how they are used in other scriptures.
The Dictionary can help in understanding
the root meaning of some words, such as, Sower =
1. To scatter (seed) over the ground for growing.
2. Introduce idea: to instill and spread an idea.
3. To propagate; disseminate.
Lets examine the parable of the Sower, since this one is already
explained by Christ;
*word-pictures (objects) are underlined
(Matt 13:3-9) "And he spate many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way-side, and the birds came and devoured them up: some fell upon, stony places, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no depth of earth; and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and, because they had no root, they withered away: and some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them: but others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold. Who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Lets examine its spiritual meaning as explained by Christ;
*spiritual-truths (spiritual meaning) are underlined
(Matthew 13:19-23) "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Sower = spreads the word of God
Seed = word of God
Way side = they that hear the word of God
Earth + Stony Place + Ground = spiritual condition of the mind
Birds = ungodly people, deceivers
Thorns = cares of the world
Sun = visible to the world
Scorched = embarrassed
Root = will power
Now lets read this parable in its clear form:
Behold, a teacher went out to teach the word of God; and as he taught the word, some heard it that did not understand it, and right away deceivers came along and taught them a false word of God keeping them from learning the truth.
And others who heard the word, at first showed gladness to know the word, but because they had no real desire; when the world looked upon them, they were embarrassed; and, because they had no real will power, they gave up on their walk with the Lord.
And some who heard had many cares for the world; so the cares and lusts of this world distracted them and they do not mature into truly converted individuals.But others heard the word and have completely accepted it, and in turn bring forth fruit, that of helping others to know the truth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold.
Who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Hear what?
Do not allow preachers/teachers to deceive you, study your bible, as in read it ALL!
Do not be embarrassed by your Christian walk
Do not allow the cares of this world to distract you from your walk with the Lord
You are expected to mature and bring forth fruit
Now read the other parables in their plain and direct to the point meanings:
Was Christ deliberately trying to confuse his listeners as some claim?
(Matt 1313-15) "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 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: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed (should read they have closed their eyes); 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.."
No! It was not that they could not understand them, rather it was to hide the truth from the unresponsive, those whose hearts (minds) were closed to what he was saying, they had already made up their minds as to what they wanted to believe. This is the same condition people are in today, show them the truth and they will reject it in favor of human traditions.
