Things To Remember When Studying The Parables

When the officers of the Sanhedrin returned empty-handed from their mission to bring Jesus in for an inquisition and were asked to explain their failure to do so they replied, "Never man so spake", Jo. 7:45-46. Whether or not they had heard parables is a matter of conjecture but certainly possible for, as Matthew observed, "All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them", Matt. 13:34.

It is because Jesus used parables with such frequency and did so with such effectiveness that we need to study them. But before we can reap the harvest of spiritual truths contained therein, a number of matters need to be kept in mind. One thing we need to remember is...

Parables are figures of speech. Geikie said parables "made the homeliest trifles symbols of the highest truths", The Life and Words of Christ, p. 490. W.E. Vine's observation is more technical: "It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view to comparison (some consider that the thought of comparison is not necessarily contained in the word)." p. 830. At the risk of over-simplification, a parable is a figure that takes some ordinary, everyday event that all can relate to and understand and along side of that places some lofty spiritual principle for the purpose of indelibly impressing our minds with the spiritual duty that is being enjoined. We don't point out this figurative nature of parables to lessen their intended impact but to remind us that...

Parables, as figures, are used to reinforce and emphasize truth. We use exclamation marks or underlining for emphasis in writing or raise our voices when speaking to achieve that effect; Jesus used, among other things, parables. Bullinger said it well: "an unusual form (figura) is never used except to add force to the truth conveyed, emphasis to the statement of it, and depth to the meaning of it...it is not too much to say that, in the use of these figures, we have, as it were, the Holy Spirit's own markings of our Bibles." Figures Of Speech Used In The Bible, p. vi. Don't discount the teachings conveyed in parables because they are figures, but rather esteem them the more highly. But before we can glean Truth from parables, we need to remember and heed the maxim...

From the literal to the figurative. Always harmonize what is taught figuratively in a parable with what is taught literally elsewhere on the same subject. For example, in the parable of the tares, Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43, some have concluded that because Jesus said let the tares and the wheat grow together, vs. 30, we should never withdraw ourselves from those who persist in ungodliness. But this conclusion conflicts with 1 Cor. 5:1-13 and 2 Thess. 3:6 where very plain, literal language tells us to do exactly that. Besides a careful reading of the parable and Jesus' explanation of it, such a conclusion would be avoided if we had first been familiar with what had been taught regarding "church discipline" in other passages using non-figurative language. And being a figure of speech we shouldn't forget...

The interpretation of all figures of speech, including parables, are governed by certain rules. We are not at liberty to either call something "figurative" or, even if a word or phrase is couched in figurative terms, to interpret it in any way we choose. We don't (or shouldn't) read any other form of literature in this manner nor should we treat the Bible in this way. Remembering this will help us not to violate another "rule":

Don't turn parables into allegories. Several years ago I heard a well-known evangelist preach on church discipline using the parable of the lost coin, Lk. 15:8-10. He cited the lighting of the lamp as evidence that we need to turn on the light of truth and expose error and the sweeping of the house as being analogous to withdrawing fellowship. Besides missing the point of what the parable is teaching, the brother turned the parable into an allegory in which all people, places, objects, and actions have corresponding meanings. While every detail in a parable is essential to the telling of the story we are not to try and find some meaning in every detail. Parables are not the place to exercise one's ingenuity. Remember this also...

Always consider the context. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard, Matt. 20:1-16, has been interpreted in numerous ways. But a look at the very first word in the first verse---"for"---ought to tell us that the parable Jesus is introducing is based upon something he has just said. A careful reading of the context beginning with 19:23 will help us to arrive at the correct interpretation. And, finally, keep in mind that...

Parables are not intended to convey all of God's truth on the matter discussed. Matthew 13 contains many "kingdom" parables and teaches basic truths regarding the kingdom. But one is not to think that if they confine their study of the "kingdom" to these parables that they would have all of God's truth on the subject. Use parables as "spring boards" to other sections of scripture dealing with the same subject.

As we study the parables, may our attitude be "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law", Ps. 119:18, let us pray for wisdom that we might understand and apply them, Jas. 1:5, but let us remember that diligent effort and thought on our part is required.

David Smitherman