The concept of Parable in Christianity
According to Christianity, Parable refers to a story told by Jesus to illustrate important points or teach moral or spiritual lessons. These narratives often carry deeper meanings, such as the principles of forgiveness, God's justice, and the complexities of human relationships. They serve as engaging tools to reveal truths in a less direct manner. Through parables, Jesus communicated vital teachings about the kingdom of God, reflecting significant truths and values while stimulating curiosity and understanding among listeners.
Synonyms: Fable, Allegory, Moral tale, Lesson, Anecdote, Narrative, Tale, Legend, Morality tale, Myth
In Dutch: Gelijkenis; In Finnish: Samanlainen; In Spanish: ±Ê²¹°ùá²ú´Ç±ô²¹; In German: Gleichnis; In Malay: Perumpamaan; In Swedish: Liknelse
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Parable'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is the specific story of the drag-net, and it is used to challenge interpretations that suggest different natures for people based on their actions.[1] (2) This is a story or a lesson, and the text asks who shall understand it.[2] (3) The text mentions that these are used in order to convey certain truths to the believers, as the disciples learn the explanation of them.[3] (4) The text mentions the parable of the tares of the field, which the disciples wanted to understand.[4] (5) The parable of the lost sheep is referenced in the text to explain the number of spiritual sheep, as well as man's place in the praise of God, and the role of the shepherd and the lost sheep.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This refers to a short story, used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, with symbolic characters and events, as presented in the text.[6] (2) This is a short story with a moral lesson, such as the one about the rich man, designed to teach a spiritual truth or illustrate a principle through narrative.[7] (3) This refers to the use of stories to convey a moral or spiritual message, as the text mentions the enigmatic character of parables.[8] (4) This is a story that is used to explain something, and it is a story that is about the kingdom of the Father or heaven, and a man who sowed good seed.[9] (5) This refers to the story being analyzed, and it is a central element, as it serves as the basis for extracting keywords and understanding the message, which is the main focus.[10]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This is a story that Jesus told, which served to illustrate a point about the relationship between God and the people.[11] (2) This is a story that was spoken by Jesus to the people, conveying a deeper meaning about the rejection of authority.[12] (3) The parable is an imaginary narrative that is used to exemplify the characteristics of covetous men, highlighting their preoccupation with material wealth.[13] (4) The parable is a story about ten virgins, which is used to illustrate the importance of being ready for the bridegroom's arrival.[14] (5) This phrase includes both parts of Christ's answer, referring to the further instruction asked by the twelve disciples in the first verse.[15]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) These were stories told by Jesus to communicate a message to the people, and this particular instance involves a king and his son's wedding celebration.[16] (2) This refers to a story told by Jesus, used to illustrate a point about how those who are first will be last.[17] (3) The text references various narratives, presented as teachings, with the intention of conveying moral or spiritual lessons through comparative storytelling.[18]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The term parable signifies an unclear or enigmatic saying, and also represents a fictional story crafted to present a truth in a less confrontational or more captivating way than a direct statement.[19] (2) Short allegorical narratives that carry moral or religious lessons, with an example noted as the parable of the sower.[20]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) A story that represents the relations between man and God, illustrating higher truths through the dealings of men or natural analogies.[21]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) This is a short story that teaches a lesson, which is being described in the context of the provided text.[22]