Context and Meaning

Parables
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Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.—Matthew 25:1

Three days before his crucifixion, Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins to teach the urgency of entering into the kingdom of heaven. He wanted to inspire his disciples and provoke them to action. The disciples would make an immediate emotional connection with either the wise or foolish virgins and take action accordingly. Jesus delivered eleven of the forty-five parables recorded in the gospels during his last week. While formal instruction was a popular teaching technique used throughout his ministry, the parable was Jesus’ chosen technique for driving home his final messages to those God gave him.

Parables are stories with meaning. A good story is a tool of great influence. It defines its own boundaries, its own realities, its own storyline with a cast of characters and its own outcomes. A good story moves an audience outside of its immediate reality and describes a fictional environment where an appeal to the emotions can be made most effectively. It is hard to fathom how Jesus could have taught some of his most important lessons without this intrinsic power of story: the prudence of the wise virgins, the courage of the good Samaritan, the warning of the wicked husbandman, the carefree lilies of the field, the ungrateful, unmerciful servant, and the forgiveness of the prodigal son. Surely these truths could not have been taught as powerfully with mere statements. The disciples had much information, but they needed faith. Jesus knew that facts alone would not give birth to great faith. Faith, not facts, moves mountains. Jesus’ parables were meaningful stories that inspired an enduring faith and a strong belief in the heart of each disciple.

“He spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold …” (Matthew 13:3). Jesus used parables throughout his entire ministry. His parables covered God’s entire plan, from prophetic understanding to detailed lessons on Christian living. The parables were a secret and versatile language, convicting and convincing the disciple, the Pharisee, and us, his indirect disciples throughout the Gospel age. For the more careful reader, however, the parables opened doors to a new world, a new life, and a new understanding of God’s plan and his universal principles.

In our age of advances in knowledge and technology, it is easy to underestimate the impact of story as a means to deliver a message. Today, at the end of the Gospel age, we are well fed with a complete Bible in numerous translations and an overwhelming variety of commentaries and concordances. But at the time of Jesus’ first advent, the New Testament was not written. The teachings of the Old Testament were interpreted through the dark lens of various traditions. In his day, Jesus was given the task of presenting messages that would not make sense to any who would judge them through the world’s societal lens. For instance, the development of the true church among the counterfeit church, the resurrection of the just and the unjust, the proper use of one’s talents, the restoration of Israel, justification, the true value of the kingdom, and so many others are doctrines that were delivered through parable that have since become cornerstones of our Christian faith and life. While we may “know” these doctrines because they are proven clearly in the Scriptures, we “understand” what they mean because Jesus taught them to us through parables. Parables provided context and meaning for the greatest truths Jesus delivered to his followers.

The six Sermon on the Mount parables provided a special entry point for belief in Jesus by linking its twenty-seven precepts to principles that were already written on the human heart, principles that Jesus knew intimately as Crea­tion’s master builder (Colossians 1:16,17; Proverbs 8:30, ASV). These principles resonated so deeply with the crowds that they were willing to listen for hours at a time because they were in­spired. Since the first advent, this basic level of belief in Jesus’ parables has grown and is felt even today, as some have become a part of our everyday language. “Good samaritan” and “prodigal son” are often used as metaphors to communicate profound mercy, honest repentance, and complete forgiveness. However, for the more careful reader of the Scriptures, Jesus’ parables open doors to a new world, a new life, and a new understanding of the plan of God. Jesus used parables to not only inspire the crowds but to develop a band of evangelists and to feed the Gospel age church for the next two thousand years.

The Pharisee and the Publican

The parables had a power of their own. A well-told story is capable of challenging and changing reality by explaining principles without personal baggage. Jesus used parables to teach the importance of recognizing our status as sinners before God (Isaiah 57:15). For instance, Jesus told the story of a Pharisee and a publican who both went to the temple to pray (Luke 18:9-14). While the Pharisee tried to live a righteous life according to the traditions of the law, Jesus pointed to the publican’s true repentance and showed how it was much more important to apply forgotten Old Testament teachings such as “rend your heart, not your garments” (Joel 2:13). In this story, Jesus contrasted the actions of the religious establishment with the pure faith that is necessary to please God. The religious establishment of Israel proved to be ritualistic, philosophical, and legalistic. It added layers of traditions to the law. Obedience to these man-made rules became the standard used to measure one’s faith. But through this insightful parable, Jesus taught that admitting our sin to God leads to true justification, while over-reliance on keeping spiritual traditions brings about spiritual pride. Indeed, every person who keeps spiritual traditions is in danger of thinking he must therefore be good. This is an especially insidious problem within Christianity since many groups promote rules and creeds which claim to identify what it takes to be a true child of God.

So did Jesus teach us to forget about doing good works? Far from it! Jesus stressed the im­portance of good works when he illustrated the right and wrong heart attitudes in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In addition to its wonderful prophetic application, this parable teaches what true love for our neighbor really means. It goes on to show how to inherit eternal life, and also answers the question “who is my neighbor,” whether we are a priest, a Levite, or a Samaritan. It teaches us to do good works to all when an opportunity arises, without hiding behind “spiritual” excuses.

Why did Jesus choose parables to teach these simple yet profound concepts? Perhaps because parables bypass our man-made schemes and touch our hearts. As co-creator, he knew how to enliven the godlier principles that were written in the human heart, in the image of God. Jesus knew about these sensibilities and the unrelenting desire of the human heart to do the right thing once it is convinced. His emphasis on teaching with parables demonstrates the power of story to touch those spiritual senses and appeal to our understanding of what we believe to be right and what we believe to be wrong. Man was created with the desire to comprehend and the ability to reason. Jesus used well-told stories as one of his most effective ways to mount an appeal to these spiritual senses, the spiritual compass written in the human heart.

But a parable only produces the proper fruit­age in a willing heart. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus showed how everyone receives the same reward because of God’s mercy (Matthew 20:1-16). This parable teaches that our focus should not be on ourselves, or the law, but on God’s goodness, for in the end it will be re­vealed that God’s mercy is also just and law­ful: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:15,16).

Jesus goes further with mercy in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) to show the loving face of God toward all his children, both sinful and faithful. Although replete with deep prophetic applications, this parable presented amazing practical lessons that touch the spiritual senses, and has the power to inspire listeners from all walks of life. For example, the publicans were moved by the father’s joy when the prodigal son returned home. Those in the audience who considered themselves more obedient might be equally moved by the father’s reasonable dealing with his obedient son who had trouble with the concept of unilateral forgiveness. This parable teaches that we have a wonderful Father in heaven and his merciful love for us is reason for joy.

Jesus did not invent story as a method of teaching during his first advent, but he did perfect it. The method employed in the parable of the prodigal son may have been inspired by Jesus’ familiarity with how God through the prophet Nathan used story to open up King David’s closed and selfish heart by taking him on a journey of personal discovery (2 Samuel 12). Nathan’s story was a narrative that contained the concrete embodiment of King David’s sin but in a hidden way. It was such a powerful story that it moved King David to exact ­justice and unknowingly pronounce his own judgment. Nathan’s story must have stayed in David’s mind for the rest of his life (Psalm 51:3), helping him to continually correct his attitude toward God and men. To this day, David is remembered as “a man after God’s heart” (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam­uel 13:14).

Perhaps Jesus intended to teach a similar lesson with the parable of the unforgiving servant as the appropriate response to an issue dividing the twelve (Matthew 18:23-35). Some were dealing with consistent failure. Just earlier, Peter asked Jesus the legalistic question: “How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). While seven is a generous number for someone raised under the Judaic Law, Jesus’ answer of seventy-times-seven went beyond being generous. Jesus qualified his seemingly provocative answer by concluding that one can never be merciful enough, because all have already been forgiven by God.

The parable of the unforgiving servant is a wonderfully powerful lesson. First, it teaches that God watches over all of his servants. Second, it teaches God’s willingness to forgive us even though we are undeserving. Third, it teaches that in this life, while others may owe us, their debt is minuscule compared to our debt forgiven by God. Fourth, it teaches that we must forgive our brethren, and if we see one being burdened by another, we ought to bring it to God’s throne in prayer. Tying this parable back to the Old Testament, we learn from King David’s experience, that God is willing to fully forgive should we change our ways. Often times, the advancement of our spiritual life will hang in the balance.

Jesus’ parables had a powerful effect on Peter. From Peter’s perspective, Jesus possessed the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Peter noted that Jesus had the gift of presenting God’s plan for the world and for his church in a language that could be understood both conceptually and emotionally. Yet for all of their simplicity, Jesus’ parables were also open to interpretation, as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Many groups throughout the ages have twisted Jesus’ words to fit their traditions, often reaching conclusions quite opposite of God’s character.

Fortunately for us, Jesus’ followers asked why he spoke to them in parables. This interchange recorded in Matthew 13 gives us great insight into how to correctly interpret Jesus’ parables:

vss. 1-8 Jesus gathers the multitudes and tells them the parable of the sower.

vs. 9 Jesus says it is an important message (“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear”).

vss. 10-15 The twelve ask why Jesus speaks in parables. Jesus answers them directly.

vss. 16-17 He identifies the disciples as the intended audience. He prepares them for further blessings.

vss. 18-23 Jesus rewards their searching heart by explaining the parable of the sower.

vss. 24-35 Jesus provides a further reward by providing additional parables that could have multiple applications (like many of his parables):

Prophetic—history of Christianity. Bad seeds will be mixed in with good seeds and, until the harvest, it will be impossible to separate the two without jeopardizing the real church.

Literal—teaching some universal principles:

•     Struggle between good and evil, God and the adversary.

•     How to leave certain decisions for the right time (the harvest). Talk to God, wait on him and wait for the fruitage.

•     God has a plan. He knows of the adversary’s schemes and knows the way out too. Big life and death decisions will be made by God in due time.

Personal application—Am I a sower or a reaper? Am I a wheat or a tare? How and when do I judge others; how do I judge myself? Many of these questions arise in different situations and stages of the Christian walk.

Insights

“The disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? And he answered and said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matthew 13:10,11, ASV). Pondering the parables of Jesus suggests the following insights.

Insight #1: The understanding of parables is a special gift to some, with the express purpose of helping them better understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This can probably be applied to kingdom prophecies, too, which describe how to live according to God’s principles. 

Insight #2: Understanding the parables en­genders greater responsibility: “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 which he hath” (Matthew 13:12). One cannot ignore this veiled reference to the parable of the talents. This statement from Jesus and the parable of the talents both teach that God rewards those who use his gifts profitably and chastises those who disregard them knowingly (see the parables in Matthew 25).

Insight #3: There are many who are not ready or willing to fully receive the Lord’s word during this present age: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:13-15). The parables are not for them. At first glance, this seems to be out of character for the one who died for all, especially since his ministry consisted of relentless giving of his own strength through healing miracles, teachings, praying, and comforting. However, the context of this parable provides clues to the contrary. In his explanation of the parable of the sower, Jesus identified three of the four types of soils (heart conditions) as unable to fully serve God, even though they may have initially ac­cepted the word joyfully.

Insight #4: Parables are a tremendous, un­deserved gift for those who truly cherish God’s word: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Matthew 13:16,17). They are also a special blessing all during the Gospel age.

Insight #5: Jesus welcomed the disciples’ in­quiries into the meaning of the parables and he answered them openly: “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom …” (Matthew 13:18-23). Ideally, we should also find Jesus’ explanations of the parables by using the clues he usually provided. Sometimes these clues come in the form of an “even so,” or “likened unto.” Other times the clues come by linking them to prophecies. Additionally, we should use the power of Jesus’ parables to strengthen our faith and the faith of those upon whom we have influence.

Conclusion

In less than three and a half years, Jesus had the awesome task of recruiting and developing a new faith in the hearts of those God gave him. Teaching with parables was one of his most ef­fective tools for developing that faith. The truths Jesus delivered, the facts of the gospel, the prophecies of future events, his works of judgment on the nominal fleshly house of Israel, and his miracles were all made powerful and everlasting in the disciples’ minds with the power of story. Jesus’ parables have fed the church through­out the Gospel age because they connect with us on a deeply personal level.

Let us remember to apply the power of Jesus’ parables in our lives as we walk in the narrow way. Whether a parable’s focus is a principle of godly living, a prophecy of future events, or a spiritual teaching that resonates within us, let us drink deeply from this calm pool of refreshment that Jesus especially gave to us.

A great story is one that is lived. The lives of Jesus’ followers were elevated through the inspiration of his parables. While seemingly simple in appearance, the parables are hard to truly apply in our lives, yet the reward for doing so will be great: “Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock” (Matthew 7:24, ASV).