HermeneuticsHermeneutics

Parables and AllegoriesParables and Allegories

Definition of a ParableDefinition of a Parable

- The Greek - The Greek parabolh,parabolh, is a compound is a compound term, composed of term, composed of para,para, (“beside”) (“beside”) and and ba,lleinba,llein (“to throw or cast”), (“to throw or cast”), yielding literally “a casting beside.” yielding literally “a casting beside.” The dominant idea is a comparison The dominant idea is a comparison between two things, frequently an between two things, frequently an earthly story that demonstrates a earthly story that demonstrates a spiritual reality. spiritual reality.

Definition of a ParableDefinition of a Parable Ellison provides an excellent definition when Ellison provides an excellent definition when

he describes a parable ashe describes a parable as a figurative history, true to life, designed for the a figurative history, true to life, designed for the

pedagogical purpose of conveying some specific pedagogical purpose of conveying some specific spiritual truth, usually relative to the kingdom. . . . It spiritual truth, usually relative to the kingdom. . . . It has five constituent elements as given in the has five constituent elements as given in the definition. First, it is a narration containing a definition. First, it is a narration containing a sequence of actions. Second, it is true to life or sequence of actions. Second, it is true to life or within the realm of probability. Third, it is artificial within the realm of probability. Third, it is artificial or designed, rather than historical. Fourth, it or designed, rather than historical. Fourth, it represents the transference of knowledge between represents the transference of knowledge between two spheres, utilizing the known to teach the two spheres, utilizing the known to teach the unknown. Fifth, its obvious purpose is to convey unknown. Fifth, its obvious purpose is to convey some truth belonging to the sphere of religion, i.e., some truth belonging to the sphere of religion, i.e., relative to the kingdom (Stanley A. Ellison, “The relative to the kingdom (Stanley A. Ellison, “The Hermeneutics of Parables” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Hermeneutics of Parables” (Th.D. diss., Dallas Theological Seminary, 1964), 61-62).Theological Seminary, 1964), 61-62).

General Guidelines for General Guidelines for Interpreting ParablesInterpreting Parables

Interpret a parable in light of its context, Interpret a parable in light of its context, paying special attention to the occasion paying special attention to the occasion which gave rise to the parable.which gave rise to the parable.

Thoroughly understand the physical story Thoroughly understand the physical story before making the transfer to the spiritual before making the transfer to the spiritual realm.realm.

Understand the central thrust of the parable, Understand the central thrust of the parable, then relate the details appropriately.then relate the details appropriately.

Avoid importing a theological system into a Avoid importing a theological system into a parable, or reading much more into it than parable, or reading much more into it than would have been clear to its original hearers.would have been clear to its original hearers.

The Importance of The Importance of Considering the Whole Considering the Whole

StoryStory ““The kingdom of The kingdom of

heaven is like . . .”heaven is like . . .”

United King.

Northern Kingdom

Southern Kingdom

722 BC

586 BC

1000 years

New heavens & earth

The Main Topic for Jesus’ Parables:

7

“Mysteries of the Kingdom” (Matt 13)

Prophets predict a comingking and kingdom

The Kingdom of God

Jesus’ Turn to a Parabolic Jesus’ Turn to a Parabolic MinistryMinistry

in the Argument of in the Argument of Matthew’s GospelMatthew’s Gospel

Three Major Movements within Matthew’s Three Major Movements within Matthew’s GospelGospel The Presentation of Jesus Christ as the The Presentation of Jesus Christ as the

Indisputable King of the Jews (1-10)Indisputable King of the Jews (1-10) Genealogy and Birth of the King (1-2)Genealogy and Birth of the King (1-2) Forerunner of the King (3)Forerunner of the King (3) The Moral Character of the King (4)The Moral Character of the King (4) The King’s Manifesto (5-7)The King’s Manifesto (5-7) The King’s Power (8-10)The King’s Power (8-10)

The Rejection of Jesus as King (11-12)The Rejection of Jesus as King (11-12) Jesus’ Ministry in Light of His Rejection (13-28)Jesus’ Ministry in Light of His Rejection (13-28)

““Mysteries of the Kingdom” Mysteries of the Kingdom” in Matthew 13in Matthew 13

Eight parables in all, four to the Eight parables in all, four to the multitudes at large and four to the multitudes at large and four to the disciples in private.disciples in private.

Of these eight, three are interpreted by Of these eight, three are interpreted by Christ Himself:Christ Himself: Parable of the Four SoilsParable of the Four Soils Parable of the Wheat and the TaresParable of the Wheat and the Tares Parable of the DragnetParable of the Dragnet

The remaining five are not interpreted, The remaining five are not interpreted, and four of these five have been the and four of these five have been the subject of much debate.subject of much debate.

Parable of the Mustard Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32)Seed (13:31-32)

The Physical StoryThe Physical Story Two ViewsTwo Views

Abnormal growth with implications of evil.Abnormal growth with implications of evil. A mustard seed cannot properly and normally produce a magnificent

and far-spreading tree. It must be recognized that Jesus was describing something out of the ordinary, something unnatural. The mustard is an herb and not a tree, and if it so happen that the mustard plant, which is naturally small and unobtrusive, pass out of the stage of the yellow flowering herb of beauty to that of a great and mighty tree with branches, then both process and result are abnormal and unnatural (G. Campbell Morgan, The Parables of the Kingdom, p. 101).

Tremendous growth from a small beginning.Tremendous growth from a small beginning. What, to the eye of flesh, could be less magnificent, what could have

less of promise than the commencements of the kingdom of God in the person of the Son of man? He grew up in a distant and despised province; till his thirtieth year, did not emerge from the bosom of his family,—then taught for two or three years in the neighboring towns and villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few converts, chiefly among the poor and unlearned; and then falling into the hands of his enemies, without an attempt on his own part or his followers to release him, died the shameful death of the cross: such, and so slight, was the commencement of the universal kingdom of God (Richard Trench, Notes on the Parables of Our Lord, p. 94).

See Ezek 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-12 for “birds of the air”See Ezek 17:23 and Daniel 4:11-12 for “birds of the air”

Parable of the Leaven in the Parable of the Leaven in the Meal (13:33)Meal (13:33)

The Physical StoryThe Physical Story Two ViewsTwo Views

The leaven is good and refers to the permeating The leaven is good and refers to the permeating influence of the gospel.influence of the gospel.

What is the primary support for this view?What is the primary support for this view? The leaven is evil, The leaven is evil, whether in the form of false

doctrine, hypocrisy, or some other apostasy. Though it will have a small start in the kingdom, it will eventually permeate it entirely.

When leaven is used metaphorically in the NT it always When leaven is used metaphorically in the NT it always refers to evil (refers to evil (Matt 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6,7; Galatians 5:9).

Parable of the Hidden Parable of the Hidden Treasure (13:44)Treasure (13:44)

The Physical StoryThe Physical Story Three ViewsThree Views

The treasure represents the kingdom and speaks of its The treasure represents the kingdom and speaks of its great value.great value.

Cannot be, because the whole story must be considered.Cannot be, because the whole story must be considered. The treasure represents the nation of Israel.The treasure represents the nation of Israel.

Based on KJV rendering of Exo 19:5 and Psa 135:4.Based on KJV rendering of Exo 19:5 and Psa 135:4. The treasure represents spiritual truth about the kingdom The treasure represents spiritual truth about the kingdom

that Christ is revealing in parables.that Christ is revealing in parables. This explanation accounts for the “hiddenness” of the treasure

and the subsequent “rehiding” in the parable. From a revelatory standpoint Christ “discovered” these truths about the kingdom’s mysteries and promptly rehid them in parabolic form until such time as He could complete a purchase of the world, which is the scene of the fulfillment of these mysteries (Robert Thomas, unpublished exegetical digest).

Cf. Prov 2:4, 8:21; 2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:2-3; 2 Tim 1:14.Cf. Prov 2:4, 8:21; 2 Cor 4:7; Col 2:2-3; 2 Tim 1:14. Treasure in the parable of the householder (Matt 13:52).Treasure in the parable of the householder (Matt 13:52).

Parable of the Costly Pearl Parable of the Costly Pearl (13:45-46)(13:45-46)

The Physical StoryThe Physical Story Three Views (linked to the Parable of the Hidden Three Views (linked to the Parable of the Hidden

Treasure)Treasure) The pearl is the kingdom of heavenThe pearl is the kingdom of heaven

Difference is in the manner of discovery!Difference is in the manner of discovery! The pearl is the churchThe pearl is the church

In this parable, the same thought was presented as in the preceding one; only here, the pearl seemed to represent the church rather than Israel. In the world of gems, the pearl is uniquely formed organically. Its formation occurs because of an irritation in the tender side of an oyster. There is a sense in which the church was formed out of the wounds of Christ and has been made possible by His death and sacrifice (John Walvoord, Thy Kingdom Come, p. 105).

The pearl is spiritual truth about the kingdomThe pearl is spiritual truth about the kingdom From where else in Scripture could this be substantiated?From where else in Scripture could this be substantiated? “ “Do not cast pearls to swine, nor deliver wisdom to him who

does not know its worth” (From the Talmud, as cited in Broadus, Matthew, p. 158).

Definition of an AllegoryDefinition of an Allegory

While a parable is an extended While a parable is an extended similesimile, an , an allegory is an extended allegory is an extended metaphormetaphor. A primary . A primary distinction between these two literary devices distinction between these two literary devices is that a parable keeps interpretation or is that a parable keeps interpretation or meaning separate from the story, while an meaning separate from the story, while an allegory intertwines story and meaning.allegory intertwines story and meaning.

Examples from Scripture:Examples from Scripture: Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8 and 9)Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8 and 9) Israel as Unproductive Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7)Israel as Unproductive Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10)Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10) The Vine and the Branches (John 15)The Vine and the Branches (John 15) The Armor of God (Ephesians 6)The Armor of God (Ephesians 6)

Guidelines for Interpreting Guidelines for Interpreting AllegoriesAllegories

Note the points of comparison that Note the points of comparison that are explained or interpreted in the are explained or interpreted in the passage (see exercises on pp. 223-passage (see exercises on pp. 223-225).225).

Do not press details of allegories Do not press details of allegories beyond what is reasonable.beyond what is reasonable.

Determine the main point of the Determine the main point of the allegory.allegory.

Next Week: Next Week: ProphecyProphecy

Look for “Mysteries of the Look for “Mysteries of the Kingdom” in your mailbox!Kingdom” in your mailbox!