Why Did Jesus Use Parables? - Bible Study

What is a parable? Why did Jesus frequently use them when he taught the people? Are they meant to reveal or conceal God's truth?

The word "parable" is found 32 times in 32 King James Bible verses. It is found only in the gospels, with Luke recording it 16 times followed by Matthew (9), Mark (6) and John (1).

What Are They?

Parables, particularly those spoken by Jesus, are stories or illustrations that use objects, situations and so on that are common to man to reveal important principles and information. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines them as a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. They are a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences.

Some parables of Jesus are short, such as those labeled the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44), the Great Pearl (verses 45 - 46), and the Net (verses 47 - 50). These, and some others given by him, are not so much extended moral stories, as they are illustrations or figures of speech.

Old Testament Tool

Although Jesus is the best-known person for using this teaching tool, it also often appears in the Old Testament. The prophet Nathan, for example, first confronted King David by using a story involving a young lamb to condemn him obliquely initially for committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband Uriah the Hittite to cover up what he did (2Samuel 12:1 - 4).

Parable of the Lost DrachmaDomenico Fetti, c. 1618

By using experiences drawn from the world to make spiritual or moral points, Jesus could make some of His teachings a little clearer and vivid. For example, consider the incredibly famous story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). An expert in Jewish law came to Christ and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25).

After Jesus confirmed that he should love God with his whole heart and his neighbor as himself, the lawyer (wanting to justify himself) asked who their neighbor is. The Lord responded by speaking the Samaritan parable to convey that humans should have a basic concern about the welfare of all people and not just their family, friends or those who live near them.

An Evangelism Tool?

Did Jesus use parables as just another tool to preach the gospel? Are they meant to give the masses the information needed for salvation? When his disciples were quite puzzled at the meaning behind his story of the Sower and the seed they came to him privately for an explanation. His response was the following.

To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest it is given in parables, so that in seeing THEY MAY NOT SEE, and in hearing THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND (Luke 8:10, HBFV throughout)

The above point made in Luke contradicts the common notion that Jesus preached salvation for everyone to understand and act upon during this age. The gospel of Matthew confirms this conclusion.

And His disciples came to Him and asked, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" And He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT TO THEM IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN . . .

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, 'In hearing you shall hear, and in no way understand; and in seeing you shall see, and in no way perceive . . .' (Matthew 13:10 - 11, 14).

To Reveal and Conceal

So, does Jesus contradict himself? How can this teaching method using parables both teach and reveal principles yet conceal profound truth? How do they teach important life lessons yet hide the knowledge needed for salvation? The answer lies in the fact that God has built into these parables two levels of meaning.

The first level is a basic, superficial understanding (which many times can still be misinterpreted) that the average unconverted person can understand apart from God.

The second level, which is a deeper and profound spiritual meaning, can only be understood by those whose minds are opened. Only those "to whom it has been given," meaning those the Eternal is actively working with, can comprehend the profound spiritual truths such parables symbolize.

Intention

Why did Jesus speak in parables? He used them as a means to communicate two different messages to two vastly different sets of people (those who are not and those who are converted).

The Lord spoke in parables to hide precious truths of God's Kingdom from those who were not being called and converted in this present age (which contradicts the idea that now is the only time people are saved). Only those who have a repentant heart, and whose minds are opened to the truth, can understand the deep mysteries conveyed by Jesus' words.