Jesus’ third block of teaching is found in Matthew chapter 13. In this section the teaching consists of eight parables. The eleventh edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines a parable as “a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle.” A somewhat more popular definition is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines it as “a putting alongside for purposes of comparison and new understanding.” This last definition best defines the Greek term, but all are helpful.
Scholars have often debated how many points we should look for in interpreting a parable. Some have argued that every point in a parable represents some truth being conveyed. Other scholars argue for only one main point being made. More recently is the opinion that the number of points of comparison varies with the number of main characters in the story. I personally think that no fixed rule can be made. Interpretation should be based on context. We need to ask ourselves what the historical setting behind the parable is and what prompted it. In other words, pay attention to the context. We should try and understand what the parable is teaching and ask how we should respond to its truth.
Matthew 13 begins, “On that day” which links the teaching of these parables with what has proceeded in chapter 12. The disciples must have wondered how people could see all the signs Jesus was doing and yet not become His followers. Why have the Jewish leaders rejected Him? Why is there such animosity toward Him? From this point on in the Synoptic Gospels Jesus will often be seen teaching in parables.
In the parable of the Sower Jesus gives its meaning and from that we can learn that every detail in a parable won’t necessarily correspond to its interpretation. For example, the birds (plural) come and take away the seed on the path but in the interpretation, it is the evil/wicked one (singular) that snatches it away.
Scholars have often debated how many points we should look for in interpreting a parable. Some have argued that every point in a parable represents some truth being conveyed. Other scholars argue for only one main point being made. More recently is the opinion that the number of points of comparison varies with the number of main characters in the story. I personally think that no fixed rule can be made. Interpretation should be based on context. We need to ask ourselves what the historical setting behind the parable is and what prompted it. In other words, pay attention to the context. We should try and understand what the parable is teaching and ask how we should respond to its truth.
Matthew 13 begins, “On that day” which links the teaching of these parables with what has proceeded in chapter 12. The disciples must have wondered how people could see all the signs Jesus was doing and yet not become His followers. Why have the Jewish leaders rejected Him? Why is there such animosity toward Him? From this point on in the Synoptic Gospels Jesus will often be seen teaching in parables.
In the parable of the Sower Jesus gives its meaning and from that we can learn that every detail in a parable won’t necessarily correspond to its interpretation. For example, the birds (plural) come and take away the seed on the path but in the interpretation, it is the evil/wicked one (singular) that snatches it away.
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