Telling the Story: The Power of the Parables
by Pastor Walter Snyder

Q: I'm looking for a word for certain stories in the Bible. It means that some stories are not
literal, they are meant to show us a lesson. What is that word?

A. Most likely, you're thinking of a ~parable~. There are a number of definitions, an easy one to
remember is that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. However, this is an overly
simple explanation.

In the New Testament, Christ tells a number of stories that are called parables by the Gospel
writers. Some of them are simple and have one basic point of comparison. Others are more
detailed and have several important elements. These are sometimes considered ~allegories~.

The Greek word ~parabole~ means to compare, to throw out two different things and examine
similarities and differences. ~Allegory~ means to say things in a different way. In both Greek and
English, their meanings somewhat overlap.

Parables were not an invention of Jesus, nor did they originate during His life. Long before He
was born, they were a popular means of making a point or creating an illustration.

One of Scripture's most famous parables came hundreds of years before Christ. Told by the
prophet Nathan, it trapped King David into admitting and confessing his guilt concerning his
adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12).

An example of a more intricate, multi-faceted parable is that of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
This could also be the parable of the Forgiving Father. It shows true repentance and the Father's
joy in forgiving sins. Furthermore, it also illustrates the sins of jealousy and self-righteousness in
the words and actions of the elder brother.

Whether simple or complex, the parables share the vocabulary and culture of their original
hearers. To comprehend them, it helps to understand something about life in First Century
Palestine. Even so, to fully grasp them requires discernment that only comes from God. This is
especially true of those parables Jesus told to either to force a decision concerning faith in Him or
to intentionally confound His opposition.

From His earliest days of public ministry, Jesus regularly invoked parabolic teaching. Mark 4:2
says that He "was teaching them many things in parables." More than a few times He would speak
in parables, then only later explain them to His disciples. Others were left in the dark. These
sayings became riddles to unbelieving hearers because Jesus' entire person and ministry were
riddles to them. He continued to use them throughout His final week in Jerusalem before His
crucifixion.

Perhaps the most known "class" or type of parables is that of the Kingdom Parables. These are
often grouped together, especially in Matthew. They point to the "now" of Christ ushering in the
Kingdom of God and yet also hold forth a "not yet," since the fullness of the Kingdom must await
the Last Judgment.

Many of these show that we already live in the Kingdom of God in this world, yet must be on
guard so we don't find ourselves banished from it in the end. So while Jesus might speak of
present fulfillment and future hope, He also told His hearers how men are to live until the
Kingdom's final consummation: They should persist in prayer, forgive others, serve neighbors,
use the gifts God has given them, avoid covetousness, remain alert, be faithful stewards, and
remember the final judgment.

Finally, we remember that just as Christ used many ways of speaking in order to bring home His
message, His Church continues to use fresh, vibrant language to proclaim the King.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version~<TM>, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this
disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution.
Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate
international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.