Parables in the Bible

GOLDEN TEXT: “Never man spake like this man.”—John 7:46

OUR Golden Text, is peculiarly true of Jesus. It is said of him, for instance, that he “taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” and Pharisees. (Matt. 7:29) Again it is said of him that the people marveled at “the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” (Luke 4:22) On the other hand, his scathing denunciation of hypocrisy on the part of Israel’s leaders was cutting and sarcastic.

In today’s lesson we have illustrated another characteristic of the Master’s speech, that is, his profuse use of illustrations, or parables. These parables were all related in one way or another to the main theme of all his teachings; namely, the “kingdom.” Some of them illustrate the glory of the kingdom; some the manner of selecting personnel of the kingdom; some the manner in which the Adversary would endeavor to prevent the development of the kingdom by corrupting its servants and their teachings; while others illustrate the priceless value of joint-heirship with Jesus in his kingdom.

MATTHEW 13:31-33—Most commentaries treat the Parable of the Mustard Seed as though it depicts the healthy growth of kingdom power and prestige in the earth, starting in a small way with the teachings of Jesus and the establishment of the early church. Other parables and teachings of Jesus, however, indicate that the true people of God throughout the Gospel age would continue to be unrecognized by the world, a “little flock” of despised and persecuted followers of Jesus.

What the parable evidently teaches, therefore, is what we know to be historically true—that from the small beginning in purity, a mighty and imposing church organization developed, which, while called by the name of Christ, was not recognized by him as his true church. The fowls of the air found shelter in this system, a system which in Revelation is styled “Babylon,” that is, confusion. And in Revelation this system is likened to a cage which became a “hold of every foul spirit and every unclean and hateful bird.” (Rev. 18:2) These, therefore, are evidently the birds which have found refuge in the great nominal kingdom of Christ, illustrated in the parable as a mustard tree.

The parable of the leaven hidden in three measures of meal likewise seems to be dealing with the corrupting influences which Satan introduced into the church. Leaven is used in the Scriptures to symbolize sin. In the parable the meal would seem to picture the truth as wholesome spiritual food which the Lord provided for his people. The “woman” that introduced the leaven into this meal may well be “that woman Jezebel,” otherwise described in Revelation as “Babylon.” (Rev. 2:20; 17:18) The leaven would be false doctrine which throughout the age has corrupted the truth, and has caused God’s holy name to be blasphemed.

MATTHEW 13:44-46—These two parables represent the great privilege of joint-heirship with Christ, that great prize that is offered through the Gospel. In the one parable, it is likened to a treasure hidden in a field. When it is discovered, the finder realized its value and disposed of all his property in order to be in a position to purchase the field and thus obtain the treasure which was hidden in it. So it is with all the followers of the Master. Regardless of how much or how little we possess of talents or riches, it will require the giving up of all that we have in the service of the Lord in order to obtain the treasure of joint-heirship with him in his kingdom. Each of us has enough, but it will require all that we have. The parable of the goodly pearl teaches the same lesson.

LUKE 15:3-10—In this parable of the kingdom, there is illustrated for us what Jesus will accomplish on behalf of the human race, which in the parable is represented by the lost sheep. The sheepfold represents God’s provision for all of his intelligent creatures—angels, cherubim, seraphim, etc., including the human race. The human race became lost in sin and death, and Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left the heavenly courts and came down to earth to “seek and to save that which was lost.”—Luke 19:10

We know that God’s angelic creatures are tremendously interested in this mission of salvation, for they were delighted to announce the birth of the One who came first to redeem, and then to restore the race. This interest is pictured in the parable by the great rejoicing among them when the Good Shepherd returns and announces the success of his mission. This is a beautiful portrayal of God’s plan of salvation, and there is a valuable lesson in it for us; for it reveals divine interest in those who are straying from the fold. If we are truly godlike, we will manifest the same interest in those who need our help.

The piece of silver that was lost, and finally recovered, would seem to represent a similar great truth of the divine plan. It could also represent the hope of restitution for a dying world. Even this hope, as a precious doctrine of the divine plan, was lost throughout most of the age, but in the harvest time at the end of the age, was recovered and placed in its proper setting with the other precious truths of the Bible.

QUESTIONS:

In what ways did Jesus speak differently from others before him?

What is represented by the parable of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven?

What is represented by the treasure hidden in a field, and by the pearl of great price?

What is taught by the parables of the lost sheep and lost piece of silver?

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