Parable Notes
Parables - Symbolic stories told by Jesus in order to teach messages.
- The stories are filled with symbolism. The characters and events represent people and events in
real life.
2 Things that make a story a parable:
1) Symbolism
2) Messages
When reading parables, it's important to look at
1) Context, in particular who Jesus is telling the story to.
2) The details and what exactly happens in the story.
3) Using the details, try to figure out the symbolism of the story, looking at who and what the
characters and events represent.
4) Use the symbolism to figure out the messages and how people in modern times act like the
characters in the story.
Interpreting Parables – 3 Step process
Step 1: Creating your character list
After you understand the context and read the parable, make a list of the characters in the story.
Then write what each character does or what happens to him or her that is important. Sometimes
the setting can also be counted as a character.
Character List:
Character 1 - Important details
Character 2 - Important details
Step 2: Understanding the symbolism
For each character look at the details you recorded in step 1. Then write the types of people who
demonstrate similar types of behavior as the characters in the story.
Character 1 - Symbolism (who you think they represent)
Character 2 - Symbolism (who you think they represent)
Step 3: Deciphering the main message
Now that you understand the symbolism of the story, use that information to figure out what
message Jesus is teaching. Look at the plot and the symbolism of the characters’ actions to
decipher the message.