Why the Savior Spoke in Parables
Didn't the Messiah use
parables to make the message clearer to the common people? That's what most think. But that is not necessarily so.
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The Savior often used parables in teaching His disciples. Many parables appear in
the Evangels, but none in the Book of Acts, the ministry of the disciples.
Parable is mashal in Hebrew, meaning proverb, similitude, parable, in which ideas are presented
in the robes of imagery. A parable might be said to be a very short story with
a double meaning.
The Bible
Encyclopedia defines a parable as a way of teaching spiritual truths by
using a picture or short story. Grammarians explain a parable as a figure of
speech, an "extended metaphor."
Parables were not new. Founded in antiquity, they are
common in most cultures.
Parables in the Old Testament
The
Bible’s first recorded parable in the form of a fable is that of trees choosing
for themselves a king, as we read in Judges chapter 9. Jotham used this fable
to convince the inhabitants of Shechem of the folly in having elected so vile a
man as Abimelech for their king.
Interestingly, Nathan told King David a parable about
a ewe lamb in order for David to get a perspective from Yahweh’s viewpoint of
his sin with Bathsheba, 2Samuel 12:1-7. David was thus induced to name his own
punishment, which Yahweh in His mercy delayed, but later inflicted through
David’s family.
Our Savior’s Parables
The
Israelites were quite familiar with parables as a method of teaching. The
rabbis often resorted to figures of speech in their discourses in the
synagogues.
Most of our Savior’s parables were about the coming
Kingdom. Through parables He taught about the higher spiritual realm by
relating to physical terms with which the people were familiar.
Contrary to what many believe, the Savior often used
parables to CONFUSE certain listeners so they would NOT understand. He did not
at that time wish to reveal the fullness of His message to everyone, a fact
most are unaware of.
The Anchor
Bible Dictionary, Vol. 5, p. 150,
says, "In the [Yahshua] tradition, however, the interpretation of the
parables is much more problematic. This is probably because the parables were
often told concerning the Kingdom of [Yahweh] and that explained a symbol by a
metaphor. This meant that the first hearers and final writers were themselves
forced both to transmit and to interpret the parables at the same time. The
presumption is that [Yahshua] intended this effect, namely, that the parables
would be both provocative and unforgettable so that the recipient would be
forced inevitably to interpret."
Notice Matthew 13. Our Savior Yahshua sat in a ship
and spoke many things in parables to the gathered multitude. He spoke of the
sower, sowing seed which was devoured by birds. Some seed fell on stony places,
some fell among thorns but some landed on good soil.
Apparently the disciples themselves could not fully
comprehend what all this meant, for they asked why He had spoken in parables in
this instance, verse 10.
In Matthew 6:24-27 He had used parables as
illustrations whose meanings were self-evident from the context. Why did He
later revert to figures of speech that even His disciples did not understand?
Isaiah Predicted the Use of Parables
The
answer He gave was similar to that given by Isaiah concerning
Upon hearing a parable about the Kingdom, the people
would find it an interesting story, but pointless. They could see no light of
celestial truth in His discourses of seed sowers or of rich and poor men.
On the other hand, the disciples had already grasped
the fact that this was indeed the promised Messiah and were very attentive to
His every word. They were aware that He came to establish His Kingdom on this
earth and therefore their powers of spiritual understanding matured.
The disciples developed a clearer picture. In them was
fulfilled the proverbial truth, "whosoever
has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance." With
the crowds we see the complementary proverb, "whosoever has not, from him
shall be taken away even that he has."
Yahweh will give us more grace and knowledge when we
add to what He has given us, 2Peter 1:5-8.
Receptive Attitude Necessary
We
can rejoice with the disciples as we read Matthew 13:17, "For verily I say unto you, that many
prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard
them."
Unless we are receptive to the words of our beloved
Savior, and seek Him, we will not perceive even the simplest Bible truth.
Notice that Matthew
Matthew 13:13-15 clearly shows that the Savior
deliberately spoke in parables to HIDE the message He was bringing: "Therefore I speak to them in parables:
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they
understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, ‘By
hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and
shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are
dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest at any time they should
see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their
heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’"
This may astound some, but these are Yahshua’s own
words. He was concealing truth from some purposely because of their spiritual
dullness! Peter says even the angels desire to look into the truth revealed to
us, 1Peter
Not All to Be Converted Now
Yahshua
did not want some people to become converted at that time, neither was it His
will to heal them then. In His mercy, our loving Savior has allowed some people
to remain in ignorance of basic Bible truth. He is presently revealing deeper
Scriptural truth to those who diligently seek truth and study to show
themselves approved, 2Timothy
These people will later be given their opportunity to
comprehend the deeper truth you and I can have. If we are in that first
resurrection, our rewards will be greater, Revelation 20:6. We will then be
helping others learn deeper truth.
Notice James’ summation in Acts 15:14-17:
"Simeon has
declared how Elohim at first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a
people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is
written, ‘After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of
David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I
will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after Yahweh, and all the
Gentiles, upon whom My name is called,’ says Yahweh, ‘Who does all these things.’"
Not everyone who hears the truth of the Bible wants to
accept it now. When He returns, Yahshua will then build again the tabernacle of
David so "that the residue of men might seek after Yahweh."
Presently they do not have the heart to understand and
follow the way of Yahweh. They are better off not to learn precious truth if
they will not follow it for, according to Hebrews 4:2, Israel was not allowed
to enter the promised land of His rest because the Word was not mixed with the
needed faith to act. We are given deeper understanding of His word as a test to
see if we are willingly obedient in little things before being given more.
Neither are we to harden our hearts to His truth, Hebrews 4:7.
Knowledge Demands Responsibility
Once
we have put our hand to the plow, we are to continue and not give up just
because the going gets difficult, Luke 9:62. Note this warning in Hebrews
6:4-6:
"For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly
gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word
of Elohim and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to
renew them again unto repentance; seeing they impale to themselves the Son of
Yahweh afresh, and put Him to an open shame."
In His wisdom, Yahweh is calling out a people now who
He knows have the perseverance and stamina, who once
having taken hold of His Word will never let go.
Yahshua said, "No man can come to Me except the Father which
has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day," John
Not everyone is called today. There is a group of
people who will be faithful to the end. This is what He wants from you—your
willing, obedient faithfulness and dedicated holiness.
We Can Understand His Parables
He
wants you to live according to His Word and be an example to others around you.
This earth is a training ground for the Kingdom. Those who are in that first
resurrection will be teachers for others in the Kingdom. But first we must
ourselves become obedient to the New Covenant in Yahshua the Messiah.
Yahweh is seeking the broken and contrite heart. He
seeks those who will allow His Spirit to take root and grow within, who will
then live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth
of Yahweh, Matthew 4:4.
Yahshua spoke to the multitude in parables because
they had rejected Him. But He patiently explained the deeper meaning of His
parables for the edification of His disciples. We can learn of the deeper
significance of His words if we prayerfully accept Yahshua as the salvation
Yahweh offers through His Son.
The Only Name for Salvation
The
only name by which He promises salvation is Yahshua. "There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved," Acts 4:12 tells us.
The simple truth is, there is
NO other Name! It was the Name selected by the Heavenly Father Himself and proclaimed
by the heavenly host, Matthew 1:21. He was born of a Jewish maiden of the house
of David where Hebrew was spoken as the common language. His Name has important
meaning, directly relating to salvation.
Scripture specifically says that salvation is in THE
Name. It does not say in a person and then allow us to call Him whatever comes
to mind. We are given a specific name to invoke, to call upon! It is the same
name chosen by the Heavenly Father. That Name given to His Son is Yahshua.
(Write for our free, eye-opening ministudies, How the Savior’s Name Was Changed and Jehovah or Yahweh?)
To Whom Much is Given
Yahshua
spoke to the crowd in parables to conceal deeper Bible truth from those who
would reject it. He explained what the parables meant so that you and I can
read His words with deeper comprehension and better understanding.
Yahshua is choosing certain ones now to rule with Him
in the Kingdom (Matthew
We are told to make our calling and election sure,
1Peter 1:3-11. This life is but a preparation for a glorious future under
Yahshua our Savior, Revelation 5:10.
Now
that you know that the Father’s Name is Yahweh and that His Son’s is Yahshua,
do not deny these vital truths. Stand fast on this message of salvation as did
the noble Philadelphians in Revelation 3:8, who "have kept My word and have not denied My Name."
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