The Nature and Purpose of the Parables of Jesus

Introduction: Why Jesus Taught in Parables

Jesus used parables as a form of teaching because, like the rabbis of his time, he wanted to convey ideas through simple word-pictures so that people could understand the concept of God and the kingdom of God. Jesus used images from the world around him to recreate situations people would recognize. He painted portraits with simple language because he knew a good picture could make a greater impact than a lengthy sermon. He also knew that using ordinary objects, people, and situations would reveal truth more successfully than complex notions. By using ordinary things to point to another aspect of reality, Jesus could speak about hidden things that were visible to those who had eyes to see and ears to hear.

Jesus knew this form of communication was effective because it caught attention and caused people to think. Jesus was not simply telling stories when he spoke in parables; he was teaching people how to live and how to live for God, helping them build better relationships with God. Part of the mystique surrounding Jesus as both a man and a teacher was the fact that he told such compelling stories without turning them into heavy-handed moral tales. His relaxed style suited the parable form perfectly, allowing the meaning to emerge naturally for those willing to listen.

Parables as Art: Structure and Double Meaning

Parables are an art form in many ways. They are meant to be understood by all, yet there is always a deeper meaning that many might miss if they do not stop to reflect. Simon Kistemaker agrees with this notion, writing that "the parables Jesus told are unique in structure and design. They exhibit artistry with respect to unity, coherence, balance, contrast, recurrence, and symmetry" (Kistemaker).

One reason parables work so well is that they carry double meanings. They have literal meanings, which are usually apparent, and deeper meanings, which are not. The deeper meaning lies beneath the surface and reveals a lesson about God and his kingdom. It takes time and thought to uncover these layers. Herbert Lockyer claims Jesus taught with parables to "enlighten, exhort and edify" (Lockyer 18) those who were open to his messages. Jesus adopted the parable form because his audiences were diverse in character and religious belief. Since plain language did little good with such a varied crowd, Jesus used figures and similitudes to prompt reflection and encourage people to consider their own salvation.

Using parables also served other purposes. A parable's "merit of worth" (Lockyer 17) lies in its being a "test of character" (17). Parables attract listeners and are "sure to be remembered" (17), says Lockyer, because people are "more apt to remember illustrations or stories than other things delivered in a sermon" (17). Parables also cause people to think carefully about what is being taught. They attracted all kinds of listeners, but only the thoughtful would truly come to understand their meanings. As a result, parables stir emotion, hold attention, and always point to some truth. As Cosmo Lang writes, "what men think out for themselves they never forget; the exercise of their mind makes it their own" (Lang, qtd. in Lockyer 18). Because of this quality, parables preserve truth in a lasting way.

Types of Parables

Not all parables are the same. Nicholas Burbules identifies four types of parables used by Jesus. The first takes a question form, "typically applied in cases where the interlocutor is either hostile, or simply slow to make a connection" (Burbules). Most of these parables are not open-ended; the questions are "leading, and so (ironically) it is often in these questioning moments that we actually see Jesus the moral teacher as the most directive" (Burbules).

A second type of parable involves a more logical and straightforward form of moral teaching (Burbules). A prime example of this kind is the Sermon on the Mount. A third type resembles a proverb or an "aphoristic style that is strongly based in the Jewish wisdom tradition" (Burbules). These parables "encapsulate in a memorable, pithy way some insight into human conduct or character, often framed provocatively or in a paradoxical manner" (Burbules). Examples include "many who are first will be last and the last first" and "physician, heal yourself." The variety of parable types allowed Jesus to reach a wider and more diverse audience.

Conclusion

The parables of Jesus are significant because they not only tell stories — they open doors to understanding. One of the most remarkable things about Jesus was his ability to reach a diverse group of people. Equally astounding was his style: he appealed to virtually everyone and taught in a way that did not offend. This ability earns him admiration from people of many different faiths and backgrounds, for he was genuinely charismatic. His parables were not moral tales in the strict sense, but they did cause people to stop and consider their lives and actions, provided they were open to hearing what he had to say. Those who were open to Jesus came to see things differently and were able to look at God and his relationship with humanity in an entirely new light.

Works Cited

Burbules, Nicholas C. "Jesus as a Teacher." Spirituality and Ethics in Education: Philosophical, Theological, and Cultural Perspectives, edited by Hanan Alexander. Brighton: Sussex Academic Press. Web. Retrieved April 24, 2011. http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/burbules/papers/jesus.htm

Lang, Cosmo. "Jesus as Storyteller: Literary Perspectives on the Parables." The Master's Seminary Journal 16/1 (Spring 2005): 49–55. Print.

Lockyer, Herbert. Parables of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963. Print.

Kistemaker, Simon J. "Jesus as Storyteller: Literary Perspectives on the Parables." The Master's Seminary Journal 16/1 (Spring 2005): 49–55. Print.