Parables

Parables : 

Parables A presentation and workshop

Parables! Where to begin? : 

Parables! Where to begin? We’re going to look at the original word in the NT We’re going to see how it has been translated – because it is not consistent Look at ideas that come with parable to get a flavour for parables Look at one use in Hebrews Find a way to link into the O. T. Workshop on the O.T ‘parables’

Parable : 

Parable Greek = parabolee (strongs 3850) by side throw/cast/put/lay Put (lay) by side (Strongs 3844) (Strongs 906)

Parable : 

Parable

Parable : 

Parable Matthew parabolee 17 times each time translated ‘parable’

Parable : 

Parable Mark parabolee 13 times 12 times translated ‘parable’ 1 time translated ‘comparison’

Parable : 

Parable Luke parabolee 18 times 17 times translated ‘parable’ 1 times translated ‘proverb’

Parable : 

Parable Hebrews parabolee 2 times 2 times translated ‘figure’

Parable – summary of NT translations : 

Parable – summary of NT translations ’parabolee’ occurs 50 times in 48 verses It is translated ‘proverb’ x 1 ‘comparison’ x 1 ‘parable’ x 46 ‘figure’ x 2

Parable : 

Parable It sometimes occurs with ‘like’ and links the ideas of like and parable 31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (Matt 13)

‘Comparison’ in Mark 4:30 - 34 : 

‘Comparison’ in Mark 4:30 - 34 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison (parable) shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. 33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

‘Proverb’ in Luke 4:23 : 

‘Proverb’ in Luke 4:23 23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb (parable), Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch See also Luke 6:39

‘Parable’ in Hebrews : 

‘Parable’ in Hebrews Heb 11: 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (parable). Gen 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

‘Parable’ in Hebrews : 

‘Parable’ in Hebrews The halting of the death of Isaac by the angel in Gen 22 is a parable of resurrection we are not told this in the Old Testament but it comes to light in the New Testament. Abraham had eyes to see it and ears to hear it. It is hidden in the OT and revealed to us in the new.

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? : 

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:13 Can it be true? A deliberate action on the part of Jesus to keep things hidden ~ but what and from whom? !

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? : 

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? : 

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? To separate (would be) saints from (unconverted) sinners The effect of parables on sinners would be to see but not perceive, hear but not understand, that is to keep hidden, keep secret and remain a mystery the things of the Kingdom Only saints see the hidden truth

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? : 

Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Jesus invites us (would be saints) to understand parables. He has given us several keys in order to do this – Mark will explain some of these things with the parable of the sower later. In the parables are revealed things of the Kingdom

Summary of parable in NT : 

Summary of parable in NT In usage we have seen: Parable can be proverb like ‘wise sayings’ Parables invites comparisons with other passages (laying them side by side) Parable is often used with like – inviting comparison Parables are hidden truths that require intellect, and application to understand the things of the Kingdom Parables prevent casual understanding of the disinterested

How do we get to the O T : 

How do we get to the O T Matt 13:35 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old

‘Parable’ in the O T : 

‘Parable’ in the O T ‘Parable’ in OT is the Hebrew word masal (Strongs 4912) Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old

Masal in the OT 48 verses (Strongs 4912,4911) : 

Masal in the OT 48 verses (Strongs 4912,4911)

Masal in the OT 48 verses (Strongs 4912,4911) : 

Masal in the OT 48 verses (Strongs 4912,4911)

Slide 24: 

Workshop on parables

Slide 25: 

Workshop on parables In groups, sift through the references and discover as much as we can about OT parables. Think about events or stories that are not spoken about as parables but are – (like Abraham & Isaac). Report findings – so bear this in mind when working that there is to be an opportunity to share what you have discovered.

Slide 26: 

Workshop on parables Hints & Tips Try and remember the things we have seen and heard when looking at NT parables. Look for open eyes Look for ears that hear Look for comparisons Look for things kept secret and then revealed Look for like / likeness Look for things that are like other things Look for wise sayings Look for passages that are like parables but are not called that (like Abraham & Isaac) Remember to look at the second reference in Hebrews

Slide 27: 

Workshop on parables southlondonchristadelphians@ukonline.co.uk