#54 Jesus Uses Parables

#54 Jesus Uses Parables

Please first read: Matthew 13:1-3; 34-35; Mark 4:1-2; 33-34; Luke 8:4

Jesus with the Twelve and other disciples has spent much of the summer in the areas of Galilee, healing and teaching. In the crowds of listeners are many Jews and Gentiles, leaders and followers who support Jesus as well as those who oppose him. Those in opposition seem to be increasing in strength, number and visibility. Crowds have reached such a size that he must meet outside to accommodate them. Also, the synagogues are slowly closing their doors to him in opposition to what he is teaching.

All Jesus’ teachings to this point has been plain and straight-forward. The crowd surprise was in the healings and other miracles he did. Now, however, Jesus adds a new dimension … Parables. This is a teaching technique very familiar to the Jews. It has been in use since the time of the Judges and examples are found in the Old Testament. Edersheim writes: “Using parables in teaching was very common among the Jews in Christ’s time. Every ancient Rabbinic work was literally full of parables; mostly illustrations of what had been said or taught before, while in the case of Christ they served as the foundation of his teachings.”

This is the first time the scriptures tell us of Jesus using parables in his teaching. There are a number of advantages in doing so. Parables (comparing one item with another) make it more difficult for those opposed to charge Jesus with teaching false doctrine.

God holds us accountable for what we understand. (Mark 4:33) “as they were able to hear it.” The meaning of this phrase in Greek is “to their level of understanding. Using parables insures the listener will only be judged on that part he understands. Parable use by the Savior was an act of mercy. Gospel doctrines were hidden from those whose hearts were hardened. The same parable revealed the truths to those hearts which were open and receptive. To his close disciples Jesus could later expound more detail which was within their abilities to understand. As it was then, so it is today.

Rabbinic and Jewish writings used well known scenes and events of daily life with a spiritual connection or meaning to the story. The whole narrative was used to illustrate a spiritual teaching. A message was conveyed to one of simple education as well as to the most learned. Jesus’ parables seem to be slightly different in that they were used more as the basic foundation of what he was teaching, rather than just a story comparing one item with another.

One result of this change by Jesus is there now comes into existence two general classes of listeners:  those who will seek the message the Lord is preaching with various degrees of success and understanding, and those whose hearts are closed as they look for ways to accuse and label Jesus as being of satanic origin.

The following excerpt is from the BYU, “Doctrine and Covenants Religion Course Manual,” (p. 324-325) (D&C 86) “What Are Parables and Why Did Jesus Use Them?”

“Parables are short stories which point up and illustrate spiritual truths. Those spoken by Jesus deal with real events, or, if fictitious, are so consistent and probable that they may be viewed as the commonplace experiences of many people.

“When opposition to his message became bitter and intense, the master Teacher chose to present many of the truths of salvation in parables in order to hide his doctrine from those not prepared to receive it. It was not his purpose to cast pearls before swine.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, McConkie 1.283)

If a person is spiritually sensitive to gospel truths, parables teach beautiful and powerful principles; but if one is not spiritually aware, then, as Elder McConkie points out, “parables seldom clarify a truth; rather, they obscure and hide the doctrine involved so that none but those already enlightened and informed, on the very point presented, are able to grasp the full meaning. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the parable of the wheat and the tares. When Jesus first gave this parable, even the disciples did not understand it. They asked for the interpretation, and he gave it, partially at least. And then with both the parable and the interpretation before the world, the Lord still had to give a special revelation in latter days so that the full meaning of this marvelous parable might sink into the hearts of men.” (D&C 86) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, McConkie 1:283-284)

                                                                                  

The Savior often used parables to teach the people during his ministry on earth. On one occasion when he was on the shore of Galilee, the people pressed so close that he stepped into a boat and from there preached to the crowd on the shore. One of the messages he taught was in the parable of the wheat and the tares. Later, when he was alone with his Apostles, Jesus explained the parable to them. (Matthew 13:24-30)

On 6 December 1832, while Joseph Smith was working on the revision of the New Testament, he received an explanation of the wheat and the tares, “a more complete interpretation than he (Jesus) gave to his Apostles as recorded by Matthew. The reason for this may be accounted for in the fact it is to be in these last days that the harvest is gathered and the tares are to be burned.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, Smith 1:353)

Of General Interest About Parables In The Meridian Of Time:

1.      They use familiar scenes of everyday life or events.

2.      They use known spiritual realities.

3.      Comparisons are between abstract spiritual values and daily life situations.

His disciples later ask Jesus “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10) They don’t understand. Jesus is hoping for his listeners to be touched by the Spirit, recognize him as the Messiah, and then to learn and accept the doctrines of the kingdom he is teaching.

Some of Jesus parables chastised certain of his listeners (i.e. “wicked husbandmen” Matthew 21:45) and they perceived he was speaking to them. Jesus knew of the history and lives of his hearers and could use this in speaking to specific individuals. They could repent and change or stonewall and ignore.

Some of his hearers would notice the slight change from what they were used to hearing in parables. The Rabbis used them to illustrate and enhance existing teachings. Jesus made the parable subject matter the basic foundation of what he was teaching.

A reaction to Christ's parables was unresponsiveness among the hearers, and opposition to his teachings.

Jesus only sowed good seed; therefore the quality of the harvest depended on the soil on which it was sown. We are each a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven; no two alike. 

The Apostle Paul in his later ministry spoke of the need to preach ‘milk’ before ‘meat’ to investigators. Using parables helped in doing this. (1 Corinthians 3:2)

It is probable that the framework of some of Christ’ parables were adapted and adopted by later Rabbis.

Glenn R. McGettigan

May 2016

References:

“Brigham Young University.  Doctrine and Covenants Course Manual.”

“Church History and Modern Revelation.” Smith     

“Biblical Library: Matthew, Mark, & Luke.”

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Volume 1. Edersheim

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Parables of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick