Why Jesus Spoke in Parables By: Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan

1-8 Why Jesus Spoke in Parables By: Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35, 51-52 (NASB) (10) And the disciples came and said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables? (11) Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. (12) For whoever has, to him {more} shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (13) Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (14) In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; (15) FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM. (Isaiah 6:9-10) 1 (16) But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. (17) For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see {it,} and to hear what you hear, and did not hear {it.} (34) All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. (35) {This was} to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. (Psalm 78:2) (51) Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. (52) And Jesus said to them, Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old. Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35, 51-52 (NASB) INTRODUCTION 1. During His earthly ministry, as Jesus went about preaching and teaching, He frequently used parables - cf. Mt 13:1-3, 13:34-35 a). It has been estimated that at least one-third of Jesus' recorded teaching is found in the parables (Wiersbe, Meet Yourself in the Parables, p. 13) 1 Isaiah 6:9-10 is found five times in the New Testament (Mt. 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:39-40; Acts 28:26-27) Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan, (LEADER S EDITION)

2-8 2. The word parable is used 48 times in the first three Gospels, twice in Hebrews (9:9 and 11:19) and nowhere else in the New Testament. 3. It is therefore proper for disciples today to ask such questions as: a. What is a parable"? b. Why did Jesus teach in parables? c. What are they about? d. How should we interpret them? 4. With this lesson, we begin a study on The Parables of Jesus... a. This first lesson will serve as an introduction to the parables in general. b. Succeeding lessons will examine the parables in particular. I. THE DEFINITION OF "PARABLE" A. THE WORD "PARABLE"... 1. Is a transliteration of the Greek parabole (para-bow-lay) 2. Means to place beside, to cast alongside 3. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 4. A parable is an extended simile. A simile compares the point of commonality (similarity, thus, simile) between two unlike things in order to demonstrate and teach that point. 5. Therefore, A parable is a brief story that is true to life, comparing the point of commonality between two unlike things, given for the purpose of teaching spiritual truth. 6. Even though a parable may be fictional, it is always true to life. In contrast to a fable or allegory, the parable must be true to reality, for that is what gives its convincing power. II. WHY DID JESUS TEACH IN PARABLES? A. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE WAS TO CONCEAL... 1. Jesus began speaking in parables because of the hardness of many people's hearts - cf. Mt 13:10-17 a. The disciples attitude was such that they were blessed to learn the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven - Mt 13:10-12,16-17 b. But because of the hard hearts of many in the multitude, Jesus began speaking to them in parables - Mt 13:13-15; cf. Mk 4:10-12 c. He would then explain the parables in private to His disciples - Mk 4:33-34 2. By resorting to parables, Jesus effectively separated the truth-seekers from the curiosity-seekers! a. Those seeking the truth would say Explain to us the parable... - Mt 13:36 b. Whereas the simply curious could easily be sent away 3. Indeed, Jesus used parables to carry out Divine judgement... - cf. Mt 13:12 Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan, (LEADER S EDITION)

a. For whoever has (a good heart, listening ears), to him more will be given, and he will have abundance (by virtue of the parable being explained) b. But whoever does not have (a good heart, listening ears), even what he has will be taken away from him (by virtue of being sent away with the multitude) B. BUT ANOTHER PURPOSE WAS TO REVEAL... 1. Even though the primary purpose in telling parables was to conceal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven from the multitude! a. For once the disciples understood the basic meaning of the parables...the comparison of the known (earthly) truths with the unknown (heavenly) truths would shed further light on the unknown 2. Therefore, with the help of the Lord's explanation of His parables we can learn more about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven - cf. Mt 13:34-35 III. WHAT ARE THE PARABLES ALL ABOUT? (Matthew 13:11) A. THE GENERAL THEME IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN... 1. As suggested by Matthew 13:11 2. As illustrated with several parables, which all start with The kingdom of heaven is like... - Mt 13:24,31,33,44,45,47 3. Indeed, the kingdom of heaven was the theme of... a. Jesus itinerant ministry - Mt 4:17,23 b. His sermon on the mount - Mt 5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33; 7:21 B. THREE SUB-THEMES ARE STRESSED IN THE PARABLES... 1. The character of the KINGDOM - for example... a. The Parable of the Mustard Seed b. The Parable of the Leaven c. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure d. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price 2. The character of the KING - for example... a. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard b. The Parable of the Lost Son 3. The character of the KING'S SUBJECTS - for example... a. The Parable of the Good Samaritan b. The Parable of the Persistent Widow IV. HOW DO WE INTERPET THE PARABLES? A. THERE ARE TWO EXTREMES TO AVOID... 1. Seeking to find some spiritual truth in every little detail 2. Saying that there is only ONE spiritual truth in each parable 3-8 Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan, (LEADER S EDITION)

4-8 B. SOME GUIDELINES FOR PROPER INTERPRETATION... 1. Learn from the explanations Jesus gave in those parables He explained a. Understanding the parable of the Sower helps us to understand other parables. Mark 4:1-9 [13-20]; Matthew 13:3-8; [18-23]; Luke 8:5-8; [11-15] b. Jesus therefore went on to explain that parable... 2. What is the main point of each parable? Look for the CENTRAL truth of the parable, making sure that any other truths gleaned from the parable are in harmony with it. 3. In most parables the details and secondary points are there to reinforce the main point and to elaborate on it. 4. What was the context that motivated the parable? a. Looking for an introduction or an application which may give insight b. As supplied by either the Lord Himself, or His inspired writers 5. What does this parable tell us about God? 6. If I understand and believe the truth of this parable, what would I do? Matthew 13:51 Jesus asked: Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. Bottom line: Understanding always means responsibility. Luke 12:48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. 7. How can I live the parable as a part of my citizenship in the Kingdom of God? Every scribe must become a disciple, a person who follows the Lord and puts our Lord s truth into practice. We learn truth to live truth. 8. Don't use the parables to formulate new doctrine a. Remember, parables were originally told to conceal, so they are not always that clear in their meaning b. Therefore don't try to build a case for a doctrine based solely on a parable c. Parables are the windows in the house, not the foundation stones. Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan, (LEADER S EDITION)

5-8 Bonus Section #1: How many types of parables are there? 1. True Parable: It is a story, pure and simple, with a beginning and an ending; it has something of a plot. Example: The Good Samaritan, the Rich Fool, the Rich Man and Lazarus, and the Pharisee and Publican Praying. 2. Parabolic Sayings: Like proverbs, they crisply deliver a sermon in a sentence. Example: If a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit, is a potential drama in capsule form (Matthew 15:14-15). Called a parable, it is narratory in scope. 3. Similitude s: The Latin word similitude, which means likeness. Example: Luke 15:4 What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep, which describes a common activity with a logic that is unassailable. It assumes their full agreement in the natural realm to enforce it in the spiritual. 4. Symbolic Parables: (sometimes called allegories ) A scene in the physical is portrayed to teach specific truths in the spiritual realm. Example: The Prodigal Son, for instance, describes a father and son in the earthly realm to impress truths about God and man in the spiritual (Luke 15:11-32). Unlike the similitude, this type of parable may depart from the normal or generally expected. This unexpected turn in the story may, in fact, be its major point. Example: In the story of the Tares, for instance, a natural process of sowing is portrayed, but this is followed by the unexpected act of an enemy sowing darnel by night (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). Bonus Section #2: How many parables did Jesus teach? Answer: 58 parables (23 parables explained by Jesus) PARABLES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN 1. Jesus Parable: The Blowing Wind 3:8 2. Jesus Parable: The Fields Ripe for Harvest 4:35-38 3. Jesus Parable: The Ministering Physician 9:12-13 2:17 5:31-32 4. Jesus Parable: Bridegroom and Fasting 9:14-17 2:18-20 5:33-35 5. Jesus Parable: New Patch on an Old Garment 9:16 2:21 5:36 6. Jesus Parable: New Wine in Old Wineskin 9:17 2:22 5:37-38 7. Jesus Parable: The Father and Son 5:19-20 8. Jesus Parable: The Tree and it s Fruit 7:16-23 6:39-45 9. Jesus Parable: The Two House Builders (Discipleship) 7:24-27 6:45-49 Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan

6-8 PARABLES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER - CONT Matthew Mark Luke John 10. Jesus Parable: The Spoiled Brats Playing 11:16-19 7:31-35 Games The Parable of the Spoiled Brats Playing Games 11:18-19 11. Jesus Parable: The Two Debtors (Love and Forgiveness) 7:40-47 The Parable of the Two Debtors 7:43-47 12. Jesus Parable: Satan s Kingdom Divided 12:25-29 3:23-27 11:14-26 The Parable of the Satan s Kingdom 13. Jesus Parable: The Haunted House in Palestine 14. The Parable of the Sower Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan 12:43-45 13:1-9, 18-23 3:27 4:1-9, 10, 13-20 8:4-15 Why Jesus Spoke in Parables 13:10-17 4:11-12 8:10 The Parable of the Sower 13:18-23 4:10,13-8:9-15 20 15. Jesus Parable: Lamp Under a Bowl 5:14-15 4:21-25 8:16-18; 11:33 The Parable of Lamp Under a Bowl 4:22, 25 16. Jesus Parable: The Seed Growing by Itself 4:26-29 17. Jesus Parable: The Wheat and the Weeds 13:24-30, 36-43 The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds 13:37-43 18. Jesus Parable: The Mustard Seed 13:31-32 4:30-34 13:18-19 19. Jesus Parable: The Yeast 13:33 13:20-21 20. Jesus Parable: The Hidden Treasure 13:44 21. Jesus Parable: The Priceless Pearl 13:45-46 22. Jesus Parable: The Net 13:47-50 The Parable of the Net 13:49-50 23. Jesus Parable: Scribes Trained for the 13:51-52 Kingdom 24. Jesus Parable: The Blind Guiding the Blind 15:14-20 7:14-23 The Parable of the Blind Guiding the Blind 15:15-20 7:18-23 25. Jesus Parable: The Unforgiving Slave 18:23-35 (Risky care) 26. Jesus Parable: The Slave and the Son 8:35 27. Jesus Parable: The Good Shepherd, the 10:1-18 Thief and the Doorkeeper The Parable the Good Shepherd, the Thief and the Doorkeeper 10:7-18

PARABLES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER - CONT Matthew Mark Luke John 28. Jesus Parable: The Good Samaritan 10:25-37 (Risky care) 27. Jesus Parable: The Friend in Need 11:5-8 (Prayer) The Parable the Friend in Need 11:8 28. Jesus Parable: The Rich Fool 12:13-21 (Poverty and Riches) The Parable the Rich Fool 12:21 29. Jesus Parable: The Thief in the Night 24:42-51 13:34 12:35-40 (Warning be Ready) 30. Jesus Parable: The Barren Fig Tree 13:1-9 31. Jesus Parable: The Closed Door 13:25-27 The Parable the Closed Door 13:28-30 32. Jesus Parable: The Lowest Seat at the Feast 14:7-14 (Humility) The Parable the Lowest Seat at the Feast 14:11 33. Jesus Parable: The Wedding Banquet 22:1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet 22:14 34. The Parable the Uncompleted Tower 14:28-33 The Parable the Uncompleted Tower 14:33 35. Jesus Parable: The Salt Without Taste 5:13 9:50 14:34-35 36. Jesus Parable: The Lost Sheep 18:12-14 (Love and Forgiveness) 15:1-7 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 15:7 37. Jesus Parable: The Lost Coin 15:8-10 38. Jesus Parable: The Lost Son (Love and Forgiveness) 15:11-32 39. Jesus Parable: The Dishonest Manager (Poverty and Riches) 16:1-8a, 9-18 The Parable of the Dishonest Manager 16:8b-13 40. Jesus Parable: The Rich Man and Lazarus 16:19-31 (Poverty and Riches) 41. Jesus Parable: The Unworthy Servant 17:7-10 (Service and Obedience) The Parable of the Unworthy Servant 17:10 42. Jesus Parable: The Twelve Hour of Daylight 11:9-10 43. Jesus Parable: The Persistent Widow and the 18:1-8 Proud Pharisee (Prayer) The Parable of the Persistent Widow and the 18:1, 7-8 Proud Pharisee 44. Jesus Parable: The Pharisee and the Tax 18:9-14 Collector (Prayer) The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector 18:9, 14b 7-8 Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan

8-8 PARABLES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER - CONT Matthew Mark Luke John 45. Jesus Parable: The Laborers in the Vineyard 20:1-16 (Service and Obedience) The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard 20:16 46. Jesus Parable: The Talents (Service and Obedience) 19:11-27 The Parable of the Talents 19:11 47. Jesus Parable: The Kernel of Wheat 12:24 48. Jesus Parable: The Walking in the Light 12:35 49. Jesus Parable: The Two Sons 21:28-32 The Parable of the Two Sons 21:31b-32 50. Jesus Parable: The Wicked Tenants 21:33-46 12:1-12 20:9-19 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants 12:10-11 51. Jesus Parable: The Vultures and the Carcass 24:28 17:37 52. Jesus Parable: The Fig Tree 24:32-35 21:29-31 13:28-29 53. Jesus Parable: The Ten Virgins 25:1-13 (Warning be Ready) The Parable of the Parable of the Ten Virgins 25:13 54. Jesus Parable: The Talents or Loaned Money 25:14-30 (Service and Obedience) 55. Jesus Parable: The Sheep and the Goats 25:31-46 (Warning be Ready) 56. Jesus Parable: The Preparing a Place (Parable #55) 14:2-4 57. Jesus Parable: The Vine and the Branches (Parable #56) 15:1-8 58. Jesus Parable: The Woman in Travail 16:20-24 Copyright 2005, 2007 by Dr. Jerry E. McKeehan