Lesson Notes

Introduction

Last week we looked at understanding and studying – the great stories of the Bible. Tonight I’m changing the schedule to focus on a special kind of narrative that benefits from additional discussion – parables.

• Everybody loves parables
  • They’re extremely memorable, because we love stories
  • About 1/3 of everything Jesus taught was in the form of a parable
• But…
  • Some parables are confusing or strange
  • We often get stuck on details Jesus never intended us to focus on
  • There’s a history in the church of poor interpretation and application of parables
  • So we need to learn how to study well and avoid these mistakes
• What is a Parable?
  • A figure of speech in which there is brief or extended comparison
    • “The kingdom of heaven is like…”
  • Short stories that use everyday situations, people, or objects to teach a spiritual truth or answer a question
    • These stories aren’t historical – they didn’t actually happen!
    • They are life-like, though often with exaggeration for effect
    • They aren’t like fairy tales or fantasy stories – they are believable, even if surprising, familiar though often with a twist
• A Few Implications of this Definition
  • Characters and events are ALL fictional
    • There’s no value or purpose in speculating or imagining things that aren’t part of the story
    • Don’t waste time asking about the characters, “What were they thinking?” or “How did they feel?”
  • Jesus gave all the details He wanted us to have
    • Each detail is the way it is because Jesus wanted it that way!
    • If He thought we needed more, He’d have told us more
    • Learn to be content with the text, the whole text, and nothing but the text!
  • Jesus had a point in telling each story the way He did
    • We MUST understand that point, then apply it to our lives
    • Nothing else matters in studying parables!
  • Parables are symbolic, but not extremely so (they aren’t mystical or allegorical)
    • They were meant to be understood by ordinary people who had the desire and faith to understand them
    • They don’t have super-complicated interpretations – Keep it simple!
• Why Did Jesus Tell Parables?
  • To explain or illustrate complex truths about God’s Kingdom, Salvation, Judgment, Forgiveness, Love, Prayer, and the End Times
  • “Who is my neighbor?” is illustrated by the Parable of the Good Samaritan
  • To hide truth from enemies of the faith – Mark 4: 10-12

Studying Parables

• Key parts of the process for studying Bible narratives (carefully, in context)
  • 3. Identify the complete parable, including any related text before or after
  • 4, (5 it’s a parable), 6. Read it carefully a couple of times, as well as surrounding passages
  • 8. Think about how the parable fits into its immediate biblical context, then move outward
    • What is the setting in which Jesus spoke?
    • Who was in the audience when Jesus spoke? Super important?
    • What is discussed before and after and does it relate?
  • 9. Think about the characters and the comparison
    • Who are the characters? Who are the most important characters?
    • Who do the characters represent?
    • What is the comparison with?
    • What is the comparison with?
    • How is the object of the parable like the thing being compared? What are the limits of the comparison (for example when God is compared to an unjust judge)?
  • 10. Understand the 1st century setting in which Jesus spoke to the best of your ability
    • This may require study about the people, culture, or activities referenced in a parable (e.g. 1st century wedding customs, agriculture, commerce, racial biases).
    • We’ll talk tools in 2 weeks, but a study Bible can provide some help, as can Bible handbooks, backgrounds guides, and commentaries.
    • There’s a balance here – for most parables, we benefit from some deeper background knowledge, but there’s a point of diminishing returns
    • Do you know enough to understand the point being made? Then you probably know enough!
    • Understanding Stock Imagery
      • Jesus often used standard images or characters His audience would have understood from the Old Testament or contemporary literature
      • A Father, Master, Judge, Shepherd, or King usually represents God
      • A Vineyard or Fig Tree usually represents Israel
      • A Son or Vine could be Israel, God’s people, or a folloer of God
      • A Servant is usually a follower of God
      • Sheep are usually God’s people
      • An Enemy is usually the devil
      • A Harvest usually represents God’s final judgment
      • A FEast, especially a Wedding Feast, usually represents “The Messianic Banquet” – the coming messianic age
  • 11. Determine the speaker’s main point – if it’s in the passage, highlight it or underline it. If it isn’t, write it in your own words.
    • There’s generally one main point in a parable! There may be other truths revealed, but one main point
    • Sometimes there may be one main point per major character – arguably true with Prodigal Son
    • 12. Understand how the parable applies TODAY
      
      
• Determining the point of the parable
  • Did Jesus or the inspired author tell us what the parable meant?
    • Parable of the Sower/Four Soils (Matthew 13: 3-8) fully explained in Matthew 13: 18-23
    • “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18: 1
    • Did the speaker/writer tell us the subject of, or reason for, the parable?
      • Many say things like “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”
    • Is there a concluding summary that drives the point home?
      • “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15: 7
    • What comes at the end or is the last spoken dialog?
    • Does a parable reference other Scripture which helps reveal the main point?
      • Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21: 33-41) is borrowing imagery from Isaiah 5 to make clear Jesus is condemning the leaders of Israel
    • Who or what gets the most attention in the parable?
      
      
• Common  Mistakes When Studying Parables
  • Thinking a character or situation was real and doing study or analysis on that 
  • Putting words or thoughts into the mouths or minds of fictional characters – if Jesus didn’t say it, they didn’t think it, because they aren’t real!
  • Failing to consider the context – either Jesus’ or the gospel writer’s – much of the mistaken interpretative emphasis in the Prodigal Son comes from ignoring context
  • Assuming your Bible’s title for the parable is accurate and letting yourself be overly influenced by the title (like the Parable of the Prodigal Son)
  • Pressing the detaisl of the comparison too far – since a parable isn’t a real event, it will break down if you try to read too much into it
    • The Kingdom of heaven may be like a pearl of great value,, but that doesn’t mean it’s milky white, small, or round!
    • The point of the parable of the unjust judge is persistence in prayer,  not that God is unjust
  • Allegorizing the parable – making every little element represent something specific and highly symbolic
    • A common error for 1,500 years because of Greek literary influence
    • Allegorizing is only valid if Jesus Himself gives the interpretation

Practice Passages

• Read Luke 15. Analyze the Parable of the Prodigal Son (11-32)
  • Context
    • What is the context when Jesus spoke?
    • Who was present? Tax collectors, sinners, and grumbling Pharisees and scribes.
    • What’s ritten before or after and does it relate? Big Time!
      • 3 escalating parables on the theme of lostness
        • Escalating value (hundredth – tenth – half, sheep – coin – son)
        • Escalating joy (heaven – angels – Father)
  • Characters
    • Who are the main characters? Father, Older Brother, Younger Brother
    • Who do they represent? God, Pharisees/Scribes, Sinners/Tax Collectors
  • Comparison
    • Who or what is the comparison with? People to people, the joy of God when forgiveness is sought
  • Setting
    • What are some useful things to know about the 1st century setting?
      • Inheritance rights, uncleanness, dignity of elders, symbols of family, expectations of elder sons, etc.
    • Main Point(s)
      • Graciousness of God, His delight in the restoration of fellowship with Him
      • The attitude those “inside” the church need to have when those “outside” come to Christ