PARABLE BY PARABLE

INTRODUCTION

The parables of Jesus give us an excellent insight into His teachings. Parables were a common method of teaching in Judaism, and people listened to them intensely. However, most of the people did not understand the parables Jesus spoke. In fact, His disciples, and even the apostles, on many occasions, did not comprehend their meaning. So later, in private, they would ask Jesus what they meant, and He would explain them. At times Jesus would speak several parables one right after another to emphasize the doctrines He was proclaiming.

One may ask: Are the parables spoken by Jesus of importance to Christians today? The answer is absolutely; they are of extreme importance. What Jesus taught in the parables are the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. These mysteries had been kept secret from the foundation of the world (Mt. 13:35). Jesus revealed the mysteries, secrets, during His earthly ministry through the parables He spoke. However, the multitudes of people who listened to Him did not understand what He was saying. And, even today, those who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and Christians who have not studied the parables, do not understand the valuable mysteries of God’s kingdom.

Why did Jesus speak to the multitudes in parables? Especially, parables they could not understand? Jesus said because the people’s hearts had become calloused, and they were dull of hearing and had closed their eyes towards God (Mt. 13:15). The people were not truly interested in hearing the Word of God. Jesus said if they were, they would understand with their hearts, be converted, and He would heal them. The attitude of the multitudes during the time of Jesus sounds very much like the mindset of people today.

In the parables, we see the life-breathing words of our Savior, which gives us the key to eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Many people read the parables and may understand their surface meaning but do not grasp the in-depth teaching of Jesus. Fully comprehending the parables of Jesus provides a person with a much deeper understanding of God’s plan for humanity. And a much keener perspective about eternal life and the kingdom of heaven. Also, in the parables, Jesus shows very clearly the future that lies ahead for those who reject Him and the Word of God.

This book is designed to be a scriptural guide to understanding the parables spoken by Jesus. Each parable is examined verse-by-verse in the setting and context of what was taking place when Jesus spoke it. In cases where two or three authors recorded the same parable, the information given by those authors was compiled and correlated together to provide the full meaning of the parable.

Simple everyday language has been used throughout the book, making it easy for people of all ages and educational levels to understand. No other books or study materials, other than the Bible, are necessary to understand the meaning of the parables. Jesus provides all the information required to grasp their meaning. All we need to do is to believe and trust in Him. And, study to show ourselves approved unto God, workers that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).