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Why Jesus Taught In Parables Mark 4:30 gives a good definition of parables: likenesses or comparisons of one thing to another. Jesus was a master at using common/understood things to teach spiritual truths. So why did He use this method of teaching so often? |
Why Jesus Taught In Parables
Mark 4:30 gives a good definition of parables: likenesses or comparisons of one thing to another. Jesus was a master at using common/understood things to teach spiritual truths. So why did He use this method of teaching so often?
- Fulfill Prophecy (Matthew 13:34-35; Psalm 78:1-2)
- Reveal Truth (Mark 4:2, 9, 11, 33-34; Matthew 13:9-11, 16-17) — Jesus wanted them to hear and wanted them to understand, even going so far as to explain what the parables meant to those who would listen.
- Preserve Truth — easily retained in their minds because they used objects/events they were familiar with (farmer, coins, sheep, lamps, workers, etc.).
- Present Truth — not only easily understood, but presented in such a way that one acknowledges the truth and then make application to himself. (ex. 2 Sam. 12:1-13; 1 Kings 20:38-43; Lk. 10:25-37; Matt. 25:1-13; etc. – cf. Matt. 21:28-46—understood but did not change)
- Conceal Truth (Mark 4:11-12; Matt. 13:10-15) — That is Jesus taught in such a way that those who did not wish to know the truth He presented would miss it. They could seek the truth and find it, but they chose not to and this to their own destruction. Fulfilled Isaiah prophecy—6:9-10)
The teachings of Jesus continued to amaze the people (Matt. 13:54, 7:28-29) but sadly only the common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37), many others rejected. The same truths are still spoken today and still received the same reception.
