Parables of Jesus
The Ministry of Christ
7th Bible
New Testament Studies
click here to
begin
Table of Contents
click
here
An Overview of Parables
Parables of JESUS
click
here
go back
An Overview of Parables
Introduction
Definition of a Parable
The Purpose of Parables
Interpretation of Parables
return to
first slide
go back
Introduction
“Why would you go to church?” you
may hear many say today. In our days many
turn their backs upon church. Sadly there
are many youths among them. It is very
difficult to find the causes. One of them is
that many youths don’t recognize the benefit
of attending church. What is the sense of it?
It is good to consider this question for a
moment.
You should add up about how many times you
have attended church. Then you should ask yourself
what you really gained from it. Has it truly changed
your life and renewed it? Or, did it not?
Probably there are many reasons to be found
why a sermon makes so little impression. Maybe it is
the sermon itself, or the minister … or, maybe
yourself. It is best to start there. Maybe your
thoughts were somewhere else. You may have been
ashamed to listen seriously; what would your friends
say if they discovered that you actually listened
seriously. Maybe you had so many worries that you
could never listen attentively. Or, … fill it in for
yourself.
The Lord Jesus also addressed this problem.
One of the best known parables of the Lord Jesus
deal with this. The Lord Jesus told about a Sower
who went out to sow. One part of the seed fell by
the wayside and the birds ate it. A part fell on the
rocky soil. It germinated but it withered when the
heat of the day arrived. It had no depth. A part fell
among thorns. Wheat and thorns grew up
together. The thorns choked the wheat.
Maybe you recognize yourself in this parable.
Did you at times hear the Word and fail to understand
it? It probably did not remain long with you but you
may have forgotten it soon. The devil took it away.
Or, did you happen to think at times: That was a
good sermon! The minister said it very well! You went
home happy. However, you heard someone else
complain about it. They thought you were funny to take
it seriously. You did not want to be looked at and so
you put it out of your mind.
Or, do you resemble the seed that fell among
thorns. Do you have so much on your mind and in your
heart that the sermon went in one ear and out the
other?
Yet … When the Word finds you, it
becomes altogether different. The Lord Jesus
continued this parable. There is also a part that
fell into the good soil and it bore fruit: thirty,
sixty, a hundred-fold. -article by Drs. J. van Mourik
go back to
beginning
go back
one slide
What is a Parable?
go back
more
information

“An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”
A commonly known earthly event or illustration
that is used to teach spiritual truths.

An extended SIMILE becomes a PARABLE.

–
Example of a Simile: “He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove”
(Matt. 3:16)

–
Simile = comparison using “like” or “as”.
Example of a Parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of
mustard seed…” (Matt 13:31)

Parable = a very large simile / a long extended simile
Description of a Parable
go back
go back to
beginning
The Lord Jesus often borrowed images from
nature, daily life or daily work. Consider the
Sermon on the Mount. He used images in it:
the salt, the candlestick, a city on a hill, etc.
The gospels are full of comparisons from the
beginning to the end. The parables are part
of that. Also in the parables the Lord Jesus
borrowed images from daily life: the sower,
the baker, the farmer, etc.
Parables are stories borrowed from everyday
life that serve to convey a lesson. –article by Drs. J.
van Mourik
WHY DID JESUS USE PARABLES?




Jesus used parables to reveal truth to those who had
spiritual insight, but also to hide it from those who were
spiritually blind.
Jesus used parables to teach deep spiritual truths in a
way that made heavenly truths more understandable.
Those who were willfully ignorant and refused to
receive the plain teachings of Christ, were left in their
blindness.
“To him who believes ‘the mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven’ are revealed. To those who do not believe they
remain hidden.” – Drs. J. van Mourik
Click to read Matthew 13:10-13
Double Function of a
Parable

1. Reveal the mysteries of the
Kingdom to the believing.

2. Keep the Kingdom hidden for
the unbelieving.
Matthew 13:10-13
And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou
unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it
is not given.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have
more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be
taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see
not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
go back
Interpreting PARABLES (5 rules)
1.
2.
3.
Find out if Christ interpreted the parable Himself.
Look for a verse that gives a clue for why Jesus
spoke the parable.
Always view the parable in its context. (what happened
before and after it was spoken)
4.
5.
Do not interpret the parable in any way that does
not agree with the rest of Scripture.
Each parable has one lesson or center point.
Do NOT try to find “spiritual” meaning in the
various details. (see example)
go back
EXAMPLE
Interpretation: The Pharisee
and the Publican
(Matthew 18:9-14)
go back
 Interpret this parable based on its context:
“And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others.
 Interpret this parable based on its conclusion:
“For everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.”
 Do NOT interpret the minor details!
 It would be wrong to say: “There were two men and
one was a hypocrite and therefore in every church 50%
of the people are hypocrites.”
 CENTRAL MEANING: Let us not consider ourselves good, but
let us humble ourselves before God as sinners in need of His mercy,
and let our prayer be: “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Select Parables of JESUS













The Soils – Matt. 13, Mark 4, Luke 8
Wheat and Tares – Matt. 13
Mustard Seed – Matt. 13, Mark 4
Leaven – Matt. 13, Luke 13
Hidden Treasure – Matt. 13
Pearl of Great Price – Matt. 13
Fishing Net – Matt. 13
Good Samaritan – Luke 10
The Rich Fool – Luke 12
Great Supper – Luke 14
Lost Sheep – Luke 15, Matt. 18
Lost Coin – Luke 15
Lost Son – Luke 15












return to
first slide
Laborers – Matt. 20, Mark 10
Unjust Servant – Luke 16
Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16
Woman and the Judge – Luke 18
Pharisee and Publican – Luke 18
Ten Pounds/Minas – Luke 19
Vineyard Owner – Mar 12, Mat. 21, Lu 20
Two Sons – Matt. 21
Marriage Feast – Matt. 22
Fig Tree – Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21
Ten Virgins – Matt. 25
Talents – Matt. 25
go back
No Information Available!
Would you like to design 5 slides that would tell
the story of this parable?
Here is what you would do:
1. Look up the parable and use a few slides to
explain its content.
2. Explain what the parable means. Be sure to look
for the central meaning.
 Follow the five rules for Interpreting Parables.
Ask your teacher if you need help.

go back